Mary followed her into the back, her clogs clattering on the stone-flagged floor.

Mrs Hall filled the kettle from the barrel of rainwater she kept near the door and set it to boil. ‘Now then,’ she said as she spooned a generous amount of tea into the pot. ‘Let’s have a think about how tha can earn a bit more money.’ She sat down in her rocking chair and studied Mary for a moment. ‘Dost tha like stoppin’ here?’ she asked.

‘Aye. It’s well enough,’ said Mary, sitting down on one of the stools by the table.

‘There’s not many places where tha’d get a room all to thyself,’ Mrs Hall told her.

‘I know. I’m not complainin’ about the rent. I just don’t have the money.’

‘Alice makes a bit extra,’ said Mrs Hall, leaning forward to poke the fire. ‘Some of t’ better-off customers can be generous if tha knows how to keep ’em sweet.’

‘Aye. I’ve seen her with that man – the one with the nice clothes.’

‘Dost tha know who he is?’

‘No. But he doesn’t favour a mill worker,’ replied Mary.

‘He isn’t. He’s Mr Starkie, the pawnbroker. One of the few professions that can turn a tidy profit in a town like this when folks are quick to pawn their best clothes on a Monday morning to get a few shillings to see ’em through to the end of the week. He’s gettin’ a bit bored with Alice though. Lookin’ for summat fresh,’ said Mrs Hall. ‘He might help thee out a bit if tha were more friendly to him.’ She poured the boiling water on to the tea leaves and set the pot to brew. ‘Dost tha know what I’m gettin’ at?’ she asked.

‘Aye. I do. I’m not simple,’ Mary told her. ‘But that weren’t the sort of employment I were thinkin’ of.’

‘Well, I don’t like to turn thee out,’ said Mrs Hall. ‘But I’m not one of these charitable organisations like the ones run by the lady do-gooders of the town who have nowt else to do with their time. If tha stays, tha needs to pay thy way.’

‘Could I not work more hours in the kitchen?’

‘Not without costin’ me money,’ said Mrs Hall, pouring the tea and passing a cup to Mary. ‘Like I said, I’m not here to be charitable. I’ve done my best to accommodate thee by givin’ thee the reduced rent in exchange for servin’ in t’ parlour, but I can’t create work where there is none any more than t’ mill owners can. And tha’ll find as bein’ sweet to t’ gents is easier work than fourteen hours a day mindin’ looms. It’s mostly done lyin’ down!’ She laughed. ‘Think about it,’ she said. ‘Yon Mr Starkie would be a good start for thee. Tha needn’t be afraid of him.’

‘I’m not afraid of him!’

‘Good. Like I said, think about it. And if tha wants any advice, I’m here to help. Right, best get on,’ she said putting her cup aside and grasping the edge of the range to haul herself up from the chair. ‘These taties won’t peel themselves.’