‘Aye, well, you allus had a brain; you just didn’t get ’chance to use it afore. You’re working in ’office where Harry works – or will work when it’s built – as I understand it from your letters?’

Lizzie swallowed. ‘That’s right.’ She wondered how her parents would take the news of her marriage so soon after Albert’s death. Or how her mother would, at least; her father always treated his daughters fondly, even if he grumbled at having more daughters than sons.

‘I work with the owner,’ she said, ‘Roland Tannerson, as I’ve mentioned. There are going to be a lot of changes when ’mill is up and running; a new company set up, new management, with Harry included in that, and ’workforce will be represented too, as they’ll be affected in their everyday working lives.’

Mrs Snowden gave a little frown. ‘What? An employer taking into account his workers’ suggestions, d’you mean?’

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘They’re going to have a working committee.’

‘Never heard o’ such a thing!’ She folded her arms and sat up straight. ‘I’d like to meet a man o’ business wi’ thought for his employees. He’s done all right by you, hasn’t he, Harry?’

Harry answered that he had, giving Lizzie the chance to glance at Ellen, who nodded furiously as if to say there’d never be a better opportunity than this one.

‘You’ll be able to meet him, Ma, and you too, Da.’ She’d noticed that her father was now listening intently. ‘He’s going to call in’ –she glanced at the clock on the wall – ‘in about half an hour.’

‘Call in? Call in here?’ Her mother looked about her and her glance fell on the children. She gazed at them and then took a sip of tea. Keeping her eyes on them, she said, ‘I think there’s more to this than what’s been said. What do you think?’

Sarah and Mary nodded solemnly, and Thomas got up and stood in front of her. ‘I know,’ he whispered.

‘Do you?’ His grandmother looked at him. ‘And is it a secret?’

He nodded, pressing his lips together.

‘And you do know, don’t you, that if someone tells you a secret you’ve never to tell anyone what it is? Regardless of who’s asking?’

Thomas nodded again, and said, ‘That’s why I’m not going to tell you.’ He leaned towards her and in a breathy whisper that they could all hear said, ‘But I think it’s cake and it’s in your basket in ’kitchen.’