‘Reet, in that case we need to get things organised.’ Her mother went to her dresser and took her ink, a quill pen and a sheet of paper from a drawer, saying, ‘The sooner we can get you there the better. I’m goin’ to write to Jeremiah reet now then I’m goin’ to the pawnshop to get you a weddin’ ring. There’d be no point tellin’ Jeremiah you’re a widow if you’ve no ring on your finger. I’ll tell Sid in the shop I’ve lost mine so he don’t ask questions. An’ then while I’m in town, I’ll enquire when the next coach to Scarborough is leavin’. The sooner we get you away from here the better. Your dad an’ two o’ the lads is due home tomorrow night so it’ll be best if you’ve gone afore then.’

Alice took a seat at the table and while she thought about what to write she fiddled with the tiny amber stone set in a silver band that sat next to her wedding ring. Her husband had bought it for her on the day their only daughter had been born and she had been so thrilled with the stone that she had decided to name her daughter after it. Once she’d decided what to say, she quickly scrawled a note to Jeremiah. This done she folded it carefully and handed it to Amber before collecting her shawl from a nail on the back of the door and telling her, ‘I’ll not be gone long. You can finish the pie off for me an’ pop it in the oven then peel some tatties to go wi’ it.’

After she’d left, Amber sighed, fingering the gold sovereign in her pocket. She would have liked to have given it to her mother to pay for the ring, but she didn’t want to spend it. One day she would return it to Barnaby and then she would owe him nothing. Everything was happening so fast she hardly knew if she was on her head or her heels and all because she had been stupid enough to fall for the master’s sweet talking, damn him. But, she consoled herself, she must be at least two months gone now and that only left seven to go and then she could perhaps return to some sort of normality, although she had no idea what she might do. One thing was for sure, she wouldn’t be going back to work at Greenacres again. Barnaby Greenwood had broken her heart and she hoped she would never have to see him again.