Hannah remembered the night that Mary had been ill and how keen William had been to rush for the doctor, but Jennet had told her about the day of the hustings when Mary had been trying her best to avoid him and she couldn’t imagine why she would have agreed to go with him.

‘She’s not expectin’ again, is she?’ she asked.

Mrs Hall shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘But why didn’t he just marry her? Why go all that way?’ asked Hannah, suddenly realising that she would never see her friend again.

‘Her father wouldn’t give his permission.’

Hannah wished that Mary had confided in her. She must have known she was going the last time she’d seen her and she’d never breathed a word.

‘Mind tha keeps it to thyself,’ warned Mrs Hall. ‘I shouldn’t have said owt really and they’ll not be properly safe until their ship has sailed.’

‘Why? What are they running from?’ asked Hannah, hoping that William Hart hadn’t committed some crime.

‘His parents,’ said Mrs Hall. ‘If they get wind of it they’ll fetch him back. And where would that leave poor Mary? If tha’s as good a friend as tha says then tha’ll never breathe a word of what’s been said here.’

Next morning, Mary woke early. William was still sleeping beside her and she watched him. He looked younger as he slept, more vulnerable. His long lashes flickered a little before he finally woke and smiled up at her. He reached for her hand and raised it to his lips to kiss.

‘I’m so glad you decided to come,’ he said. She didn’t remind him that all the other options had been worse.

‘Aye,’ she said as she pulled her hand away. ‘We’d best be making a move if we’re to get to the docks on time.’

They walked down the busy streets, following others towards the ships. There were several lined up and William enquired which one was theirs.

It was the Pacific. The sails were still furled on the towering masts, but Mary could see the sailors climbing up high into the rigging to loose them ready to sail. There was a gangplank propped against the side of the ship and passengers were making their way aboard, carrying bags and boxes between them.

‘Come on!’ urged William. ‘Time to get on!’

She hurried after him, afraid of losing him in the crush. Perhaps they would come back one day, she thought. Or maybe she’d never see her home again. It was a poignant thought and she fought back the threat of tears. She didn’t want William to see her crying because, like Mrs Hall had said, he was a good man and maybe that was enough, for now at least.

Chapter Thirty

The following Sunday, Hannah was walking through the marketplace with James. They were on their way to catch a coach to Bolton so she could meet his family and she was feeling nervous.

A group of men were stopping every passer-by and questioning them although everyone shook their heads and moved on. Hannah was wondering what it was about. They didn’t look like beggars. Maybe they were from the temperance movement, she thought, asking men and women to sign the pledge.