Amber chuckled. ‘Oh, you’ve no need to worry about me,’ she assured her. ‘I can go back to work at Greenacres any time I like.’ When she saw the frown appear on her mother’s face, she hurried to assure her. ‘And don’t worry, Mr Greenwood won’t be layin’ another finger on me. I’d be quite safe there.’

Seeing that her mother still looked undecided, she went on, ‘Just think of it, Mam, no money worries, no more wet washin’ strung all about the place an’ no more havin’ to watch every penny. This place is full o’ ghosts now an’ it would do you good to go somewhere for a fresh start. An’ I’d come an’ see you every chance I got, you can be sure o’ that.’

‘Hmm, then I’ll think about it,’ Alice promised as she rose to stir the porridge that was simmering on the small range. She could hear Jeremiah moving about upstairs and she didn’t want him to go back to Scarborough on an empty stomach. Meanwhile Amber began to get dressed for outdoors. She would be collecting the dirty washing for her mother from the big houses on the hill this morning, because even if her mother did decide to leave, she would hate to let her customers down.

By the time she went back into the kitchen her mother and uncle were in earnest conversation and he paused to smile at her.

‘Your mother has agreed to come to Scarborough to live.’ He was clearly pleased with Alice’s decision. ‘But can’t I persuade you to come too? You know you would be very welcome. Martha would love to have you living there again.’

Amber smiled at him. ‘I know you would, but I’m a big girl now wi’ a job waitin’ for me up at Greenacres.’ She had no intention of going back there ever again but she wasn’t about to admit that to them. ‘In fact, I might have a word wi’ Mrs Boswell this very mornin’ when I collect the laundry.’

‘Very well, if you’re quite sure. But just remember there will always be a home with us should you change your mind,’ he told her sincerely.

After they’d said their goodbyes, Amber began to tug the old cart through the snow towards the hill, finally allowing the tears she’d been holding back to fall. She was pleased for her mother; it would do her good to start afresh somewhere new and she felt sure that she would be happy living in Scarborough, but now she wondered what the future held in store for herself?