‘So if there was a washhouse that the women could use to wash the dirty bedding and clothes it would be easier for them to keep their homes clean and disease might not take hold,’ she was explaining to him.

Dr Bowring listened intently with his head a little to one side and his eyes on Jennet’s face. He nodded as she spoke.

‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘I will certainly look into that if I am successful. I’m sure it could make a big difference to your lives.’

‘He’s a good man,’ said a voice from beside her. Hannah turned sharply to see James Hindle. ‘I hoped you might be here again,’ he said with a smile that made Hannah’s stomach flip. ‘Do you know the woman who’s speaking to him?’ he asked.

‘Aye. That’s my sister, Jennet Eastwood.’

‘Titus’s wife? I didn’t know you were her sister.’

‘Dost tha know Titus?’ she asked him.

‘I think most people in Blackburn do – well, those who want Reform anyway. Your brother-in-law is quite the radical.’

‘Aye.’ She was about to say that he’d spent time in prison for it too, but she wasn’t sure whether or not that would impress him.

‘James! Good to see thee!’ Titus came over and shook the schoolmaster’s hand. ‘Dost tha know our Hannah?’

‘We haven’t been formally introduced. I’m James Hindle,’ he told her and held out a hand. Hannah reached out, hers trembling, and allowed him to grasp it for a moment. He felt warm and his hand was soft, not callused from the mills.

‘Our Jennet’s been petitioning Dr Bowring about a washhouse,’ said Titus.

‘Yes, I heard. It’s a good idea, especially with the cholera. My class has been decimated. There’re so many boys ill or died and others that daren’t come.’

‘Aye. I keep wonderin’ if we should keep our Peggy at home.’

‘I like school,’ remarked Peggy from where she’d been standing at his side listening to the grown-up talk. ‘I want to go.’

Titus laughed. ‘Aye, and what our Peg wants, our Peg usually gets.’

‘Come and have a drink – my treat,’ invited James. ‘You haven’t signed the pledge, have you?’

‘Nay, lad,’ replied Titus. ‘There’s nowt wrong wi’ a drop of beer as long as tha knows when to quit. But no need to put thy hand in thy pocket, the barrels’ll be flowin’ freely this afternoon thanks to the candidates.’

They walked back towards the town centre, Hannah hardly able to believe that James Hindle had joined them, except that he was walking on ahead, chatting with Titus and she was left to walk behind with Jennet and the children. She was enjoying watching his back though. His shoulders were broad and his hair curled at the back around his ears, and his walk was graceful and long-legged as he strode along, glancing back every now and again.

‘Tha’s not heard a word I’ve said.’ She turned to see Jennet’s look of amusement.

‘I have,’ she protested.