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    â€˜It’s all right, lass,’ Rab interrupted, ‘you’re not in any bother.’
    He reached out and took her hand, giving it a friendly squeeze. Emmie felt relief flood through her. She loved the feel of Rab’s large warm hand wrapped around hers. Yet she puzzled why he said so little as they walked down the bank. Perhaps there had been a row at home? Or maybe Rab had courting trouble? He was nearly eighteen and she had noticed how older girls gave him looks and some bold ones called out to him as he passed in the street.
    She contented herself with walking beside him and glancing up now and again to see him smile back in reassurance. When they reached the back lane of China Street, it seemed unusually quiet for a May evening. No children played out late. Their neighbours’ back doors were closed. At the back gate, Rab hesitated. He looked down at her.
    â€˜Emmie - I don’t know - I should tell you . . .’
    Emmie gazed up at him with a quizzical smile. He sighed and laid a gentle hand on her head.
    â€˜You’re a grand lass,’ he said softly. ‘I’m sorry.’
    She was baffled by his words. But before she could ask anything, he was steering her forward through the back door.
    Helen and Jonas were standing in the middle of the room, waiting. They looked at Rab, who shook his head. Helen rushed over and put her arms around Emmie, drawing her into her soft bosom.
    â€˜Emmie, oh, Emmie. Come here and sit down, pet. We’ve something to tell you.’
    Emmie’s heart lurched at the alarm on their faces. Helen pulled her on to her knee.
    â€˜Dr Jameson’s sent a message. There’s been fever in the town. Would’ve come herself but she’s rushed off her feet - and she’s Nell to see to.’
    â€˜Nell?’ Emmie gasped. ‘What’s happened to Nell?’
    â€˜Oh, no, pet, I’m saying it all wrong,’ Helen said in agitation. ‘Nell’s grand.’ She looked on the verge of tears.
    Jonas came forward and crouched on his hunkers beside them.
    â€˜Lassie, your mother caught the fever. She died two days ago. We’re very sorry.’
    He laid a hand on her head, just like Rab had done, his hairy face creased in sorrow.
    â€˜Mam?’ she gasped in bewilderment.
    Jonas nodded. Helen’s arms clutched her tighter. But it was her mother’s arms she wanted right then, her mother’s crooning and soft words.
    Emmie felt a huge sob rise up inside like a wave. She turned and buried her head in Helen’s lap and wept.

Chapter 5
    The funeral was a week later. Jonas and Rab went, but no one suggested that Emmie go too.
    â€˜I want to see Nelly,’ Emmie whimpered, clinging to Helen. ‘I want Nelly.’
    â€˜Dr Jameson will bring her up to see you soon,’ Helen promised, trying to calm the girl. She had hardly spoken a word for days, but would not let Helen out of her sight. At night she cried in her sleep and wet the bed.
    The men walked into town on the Saturday afternoon and attended the dismal parish funeral. A handful of people were present, but Jonas recognised no one but Dr Jameson. She stood with a young fair-faced man in a dark coat, who nodded at them in a friendly fashion but disappeared quickly at the end.
    Afterwards, they stood around the unmarked grave.
    A drawn-faced Flora said, ‘There’s nothing to give Emmie. Everything had to be burned. By the time I got there it had all gone. I know there was a picture … I’m sorry.’
    Jonas shook his head. ‘You’ve done enough.’
    â€˜Half Mary’s neighbours died in the epidemic,’ Flora said bitterly. ‘And now they’re going to knock the tenements down when they should have years ago. I was hoping to get Mary a job at the Settlement.’
    Jonas sighed. ‘She wouldn’t let us help. Said we were doing more than enough for Emmie.’
    Flora touched his arm.