Sanctuary

Knowing she was just a few steps from The Wee Hoose, Margaret took a final look around to be sure no-one had followed her.

It felt good, as always, to return to their safe house.

Yes, it was strange to still have young Adam around the place, admittedly. But not in a bad way, as far as she was concerned. Oh, Alice might huff and puff about the situation, but there was no harm in the lad; he might be a bit dreamy and soft-headed, but he had decent enough manners.

Which wasn't so surprising, when you considered who his grandmother was. Molly, after all, didn't take much nonsense from anybody.

At the doorstep, she had one final final look around. No harm in being careful, she knew from experience.

Normally, Margaret would simply have used her key to let herself in. Or picked the lock if needs be, come to that. But given the extraordinary circumstances, she knew the house would be locked down tight; the only way to get in was to be let in.

How did that bloody knock go again? The one Alice had insisted on? Three quick raps...pause...one rap...long pause...no, hang on, that wasn't it. Three, then two? She thought for a moment, then just hammered on the door.

"Let me in, will you? I could murder a bloody cuppa," she hollered, as loudly as she could.

That should help them recognise her, she thought.



Part Two begins here.