She folded the ironed petticoats and took a moment to sit down and rest whilst Hannah poured the tea and made a cup that was mostly blue milk for little Bessie who was playing quietly with her doll.

‘How’s it going at the Feildens’?’ Jennet asked and Hannah described the supper party and all the food that there had been. ‘Tha’s makin’ me famished just thinkin’ about it,’ said Jennet as she stirred plenty of sugar into her tea. ‘It sounds as if it cost a year’s wages for just one meal.’

‘Aye. It makes me think that Titus is right when he says things must change.’

‘Siding with our Titus now?’ Jennet laughed. ‘I never thought I’d see the day. What’s brought this on?’

Hannah told her about going to the Reform meeting, but she didn’t mention the schoolmaster. She didn’t want her sister to tease her about her growing infatuation with James Hindle.

‘Did I tell thee that I saw John?’ she asked. ‘Mary’s brother.’

‘No. When did he get out of prison?’

‘I’m not sure. He were on Thunder Alley. I think he’s working at the stables.’

‘How did he seem?’

‘Older. Thin. His clothes looked too small on him.’

‘What does Mary say about it?’

‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen her. We had a falling out.’

‘What? Tha’s fallen’ out wi’ Mary?’

Hannah nodded. ‘She were furious with me about getting the job. Said I weren’t her friend no more.’ She bit back the tears.

‘Well, I’m surprised,’ said Jennet. ‘Titus said he’s seen her at the Star, working as a barmaid.’

‘Aye, but tha knows what sort of place it is?’

‘I’ve heard,’ agreed Jennet. ‘I weren’t happy when Titus said they were having meetings there. But I don’t think he’d stray … not that I could claim any moral high ground,’ she added, glancing at Bessie.

‘I’d best be getting back,’ said Hannah, suddenly feeling guilty as Jennet began to pack away her laundry to get the dinner ready for when Titus came home.

She kissed her sister and hurried back across town. At the top of King Street she saw a woman in a pretty dress and a bonnet with a wide brim. There was something familiar about her and after a moment she realised that it was Mary. She called out her name, hoping that this might be her chance to make things right between them, but Mary either didn’t hear her or didn’t want to hear. She looked quite the lady, thought Hannah, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. A stab of jealousy struck at her as she watched her former friend cross Darwen Street and disappear into Mr Wraith’s chemist and druggist shop. She wished that she could walk about town in nice clothes with money to spend rather than having to go back to the Feildens’ house and work hard. It didn’t seem quite right that Mary, who had been so angry with her about the maid’s job, looked as if she was doing very well for herself without having to lift a finger.