‘You’ve become good friends,’ he said. ‘Who would have thought it possible? We’d never have known so many people of different cultures if we’d stayed in Holderness. Polish and Prussian Jews, an Irish employer. Tannerson came ’other day. He told me that Lizzie has started working for him in his office.’

‘She has, and loves it. She’s very organized; she had a fright, though, with an intruder.’ She told him of Ellison going into Tannerson’s office as it had been told to her.

‘I’ve never trusted him since I first met him,’ Harry told her. ‘He was an idle beggar and had some scheme going wi’ young Jim, but I can’t remember what it was. Something to do with ’keys for ’mill doors and the gate.’

‘Mebbe ’explosion wiped out your memory of it?’ Ellen suggested. ‘Don’t think about it now. You must rest and get well.’

‘Don’t know how I’ll do that, living as we do,’ he said dejectedly. ‘We must find somewhere else soon, Ellen. We’ll be crowded in one small room, especially if Lizzie is staying as well. Just as soon as I’m up on my feet I’ll start looking for somewhere else. Tannerson says I’ll have a job once ’mill is built, but how long is that going to tek?’

She almost told him about the cottage but knew he would then worry about her handling the move on her own, so she decided not to and instead said mysteriously, ‘I’m mekkin’ plans, Harry; talking to people, asking around, you know, so try not to worry.’

She didn’t stay long, telling him that Anna was going to work at the baker’s when she got back and she would take her turn to look after all the children.

‘If any one of us had any money, you could set up a baker’s shop between you.’ Harry managed a smile. ‘Then Filip and I could live in ’lap of luxury and not have to work at all.’

‘But neither of you would like that,’ she said, bending to kiss him.

‘We wouldn’t,’ he agreed, and whispered in her ear, ‘I can’t wait to get home and into my own bed wi’ you right next to me, Ellen.’ Then he blinked. ‘Where does Lizzie sleep?’

Her eyes were merry. ‘In bed wi’ me, just as we used to when we were bairns.’

And then she saw the real Harry, the one who could share a joke and often had a merry quip on his lips, who until now had disappeared into the misery of a hospital bed.

‘In our bed?’ he asked huskily. ‘Yours and mine?’ and when she solemnly nodded his eyes widened and he said quickly, ‘Bags I sleep in ’middle.’ And with a rush of relief she knew that her loving husband was on the mend.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE