Abby had Molly’s undivided attention. She could tell from looking at Abby that what she was saying was important. Molly already knew about being separated from her sister, had made careful note of it, in fact. It had hurt that something like that could happen to such a kind woman. The rest of the story was new to her, but it did put together several pieces.
Abby hadn’t always been a part of the pub. That made sense. That was why Rena seemed so much more, well, in command of things here. And that also explained the tension between the two women. Abby had been hurt, separated from her family in the most horrendous of ways. So it was natural that there could perhaps be some conflict with those who had had better luck. Molly wouldn’t have been as sensible about it as Abby, she was certain. She would have taken out her pain on any and everyone she could.
With this new information, Molly tried to see things from a different point of view. “Bridget is very lucky then – to have been raised by such a loving father and to have found you again.” She hazarded another comment, perhaps Abby didn’t need to hear it but Molly needed to say it. “Abby? It’s not your fault. What happened. It’s not your fault. I don’t know much about my mother outside of her profession. Maybe if she had worked at a brothel instead of independently, she could have seen a doctor. I don’t know. But it wasn’t her fault either. Things – sometimes things don’t turn out as we would plan.” It didn’t seem like enough, but Molly didn’t want to ruin it by rambling on any further. The thought also occurred to her that, had her mother worked at a brothel, Molly would probably be there now.