‘I’ve done nowt!’ she shouted. ‘It’s all Titus’s fault!’

‘Titus? What’s it to do with Titus?’ asked Jennet. ‘Let’s go inside,’ she said, abandoning her work. ‘I’ll put the kettle on.’ She could sense Molly listening in on the other side of the wall and it was none of her business.

Hannah slumped in the chair by the fire still wearing her jacket and bonnet. She looked stunned, thought Jennet as she spooned tea into the pot, and it was obvious that she’d been crying.

‘What’s it to do with Titus?’ she asked again.

‘He forged Mr Sudell’s name on my character,’ said Hannah. ‘Unfortunately not very well.’

Jennet shook her head, not knowing what to say. She was too angry to speak.

‘I think he just wanted me out of the house,’ Hannah went on, ‘but I’m back now and probably for good.’

‘Tha knows tha’s always welcome here.’

‘Am I?’ asked Hannah.

‘Of course!’

Hannah unfastened her bonnet and took it off. ‘Well, I’ll not get another job now. And I doubt that James Hindle will ever speak to me again.’ Fresh tears flowed freely down her face and she wiped her nose on the back of her hand. ‘A schoolmaster can’t be seen with a disgraced maid who’s narrowly missed the magistrates’ court. Mrs Feilden said as forgery was a crime.’

‘Did tha tell her that Titus wrote it?’ For a moment her concern for her sister was overshadowed by the fear that her husband could end up in trouble again.

Hannah shook her head. ‘I covered up for him. I hope he appreciates it.’

‘But how did they find out? After all this time?’

Hannah shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Mrs Feilden said someone had told them no one from Sudells’ got a character. They compared the signature with a real one, and of course it were different.’

Jennet suddenly remembered her encounter with Mrs Pickering. Surely the woman couldn’t have been so vindictive as to do this? It was a bit out of proportion over just a burned blouse, although she wouldn’t put it past her.

They were still sitting drinking tea when Titus came in for his dinner.

‘What’s she done now?’ he asked.

‘She’s done nowt, Titus Eastwood!’ Jennet told him. ‘It’s what tha’s done that needs some explaining! Hannah’s been dismissed and it’s all thy fault! I asked thee about her character reference and tha said tha knew nowt about it.’

As she drew breath he pulled off his cap and sat down at the table. He looked shocked and worried. And so he should, thought Jennet. He’d let her down badly this time.

‘Did tha tell ’em it were me that wrote it?’ he asked Hannah.

She shook her head. ‘No.’

‘Well, that’s all right then.’

‘All right for thee, tha means!’ Jennet said. ‘It’s not all right for Hannah. She’s takin’ all the blame, and how’s she supposed to get another job after this?’

‘I thought she were set to marry James Hindle. She’ll not need another job.’