Ma Snowden tapped her mouth with her finger conspiratorially, then turned to Lizzie and said, ‘I don’t suppose he’s coming to discuss business matters wi’ us, Lizzie, and as you’re of an age and experience to do as you wish, I gather that he’s coming as a matter of courtesy to your parents rather than for our approval.’

Lizzie wondered how on earth her mother could have guessed, when her own regular letters gave nothing away except details of her daily work. But she knew, all right; she could tell from the knowing glance that took them all in: Harry’s grin, Ellen’s happy smile, and her own – what? What signals was she giving that said that the man who had asked her to marry him was coming to meet her parents, who when she said there was no need had replied that there was every need, and what’s more he wanted to; he already knew Ellen and Harry and the children, had met Billy and Florence. One unknown only, her mother and father, and then she realized why.

His own father had denied him, his sisters and brothers were lost to him, he had no children from his former marriage, which he had told her was in name only because that was how his wife, older than him, had wanted it; he was ready now to embrace her family and their own.

‘Come here, then, Lizzie,’ her mother said softly. ‘Come here and give your ma a kiss.’

She bent and kissed her mother on the cheek, and then did the same to her father, and as she straightened up she saw through the window that Roland, earlier than he’d said, was walking up the path towards them.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Lizzie welcomed Roland at the door and murmured, ‘It’s going to be all right. Ma has guessed already that there’s something in the wind. I think she’s pleased, and Da will be, that’s for sure.’

‘I’ll put on the Irish charm,’ he said softly, and followed her into the parlour.

Lizzie’s father was totally unprepared when Roland said he hoped he would be welcomed into the family when he and Lizzie were married, but her mother eyed him up and down and then floored him by saying that she hoped he’d treat Lizzie amiably, and although she didn’t mention the late Albert, her meaning was clear.

‘Our Lizzie will be an asset to you,’ she told him. ‘I hope you realize that? She’s got a sensible head on her shoulders as well as a loving one and deserves someone good in her life, just ’same as her sisters and eldest brother have.’