Ignoring him, she opened the door and when he passed through it, she re-entered the kitchen where Mrs Boswell was waiting with her payment. As she accepted the money Amber saw Barnaby flush with embarrassment, and keen to be gone she told them, ‘Thank you, I’d best get on now. I have other deliveries to make.’

‘Ah, can’t you stay for just a while longer?’ Nancy pleaded. She had missed her and was reluctant to see her go so soon, but now that the master was there she could tell Amber couldn’t get away quickly enough.

‘We’ll have a get together very soon,’ she promised as she left, closing the door firmly behind her.

She had barely reached the end of the drive when she heard footsteps pounding behind her and glancing over her shoulder, she saw Barnaby racing towards her.

‘I’m glad I’ve caught you,’ he said breathlessly. ‘I just realised that Mrs Boswell didn’t give you enough for the work you and your mother have done.’ He opened his palm and as she saw the coins gleaming there, she shook her head, her eyes flashing with hatred.

‘We’ve been paid the goin’ rate an’ we don’t need your charity!’ she snapped, before moving on again, dragging the heavy cart behind her.

Barnaby stood and watched helplessly until her slight form had been swallowed up by the snow.

It was late afternoon and fast growing dark by the time all the laundry was delivered and as Amber pulled the cart down the hill leading into Whitby town she was sure she had never been so cold and weary in her life.

Once she reached the cottage, she left the cart at the little woodstore at the back. As she opened the back door, however, she got a lovely surprise when she saw her uncle sitting at the table drinking a mug of tea.

‘Uncle Jeremiah!’ Her face lit up at the sight of him. ‘Whatever are you doing here?’

He beamed at her. ‘I’ve come to offer my condolences for the loss of the boys and Eli. I just received your mother’s letter. And I’ve also come with what I hope you will think is good news,’ he told her. ‘And also with a proposition that I hope you and your mother will like!’

When Amber and her mother stared at him curiously, he blushed like a schoolboy. ‘The thing is,’ he began. ‘Martha – that’s Mrs Carter – and I . . . well, I know this will sound ridiculous at my age, but we have decided to get married.’

‘Why, that’s wonderful news, Uncle Jeremiah.’ Amber rushed to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek. ‘And I’m not completely surprised.’ She smiled. ‘While I was living with you I could see how fond of each other you were, even though you hadn’t admitted it to yourselves. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.’