Mary could hear them talking about her but hadn’t the strength to form any words herself. She felt Mrs Hall rubbing her cold hands between her own work-roughened ones and William Hart was kneeling on the hearthrug unfastening her wet boots and taking them off. It felt too intimate. She didn’t want him touching her feet and she tried to pull them away but he fetched a towel and rubbed them vigorously.

‘Should I carry her up to bed?’ he asked.

‘No. She’s better here by the fire. Help me get this jacket off her.’

She was gently pulled forward and they tugged at the sleeves. Then a blanket was wrapped around her and she was given more of the spirit to drink. She began to rally a little, and tried to hear what William and Mrs Hall were saying about her as they talked in low voices, but she couldn’t make out the words for the noise of the riot roaring outside.

She must have dozed a little because she woke with a jump, not sure where she was. It had gone quiet outside and Mrs Hall was snoring in the chair opposite. William Hart had gone and she was glad of that. She was thirsty and she eased herself up and went to pour some water. She wondered what time it was. It was dark outside and the only light was from the embers of the dying fire. She wondered about going up to bed but it was warmer down here so she threw another shovelful of coal on to the fire and settled on the chair again with the blanket pulled around her and slept until morning.

‘It sounds like they’ve called out the dragoons,’ said Cook. She went to open the back door to look out and Hannah followed her to see the uniformed horsemen pouring out of the barracks on the other side of the street, bugles sounding and sabres drawn. ‘They must be rioting.’

Hannah watched as the horsemen pounded up King Street. She hoped that James was all right and that Peggy was safely back from school. She didn’t dare to think what might happen to the child if she was left to walk home alone in this. She hoped that Titus had stayed in the mill too. It would be just like him to get involved and she didn’t want him to be arrested again. He’d got off lightly last time but no judge would be so lenient for a second conviction and the best they could hope for this time would be transportation.

‘I knew no good would come of it,’ announced Cook. ‘Thank goodness the family got home before the worst began. Carry up the roast,’ she told Hannah.

She carried the platter up and set it in the middle of the table. The dishes of vegetables were already there, along with one of Cook’s chicken and ham pies. It all looked and smelled so good, thought Hannah. Mr Horrocks opened the door and the family came in before she could leave. She saw that they were still wearing their day dresses and it shocked her more than the result of the election or the rioting. She’d never known Mrs Feilden not to dress for supper before.