She was breathless by the time she reached the top of the hill and she paused to stare down at the town where she had been born. Perhaps it was time for her to seek pastures new as well, she thought. Depending on when her mother decided to leave for Scarborough this could well be the last time she had to do this and she wasn’t sorry.

It was almost lunchtime by the time she dragged the cart down the drive at Greenacres and as she approached the kitchen yard, she spotted Barnaby over at the stables talking to the groom. She quickly averted her eyes, hoping he hadn’t seen her. The less she had to do with that man the better, as far as she was concerned. But as she knocked on the kitchen door, she heard him approaching. To her relief he swerved away when Nancy answered, and she gratefully entered the warmth.

The cook ushered her towards a chair saying, ‘Eeh, come an’ get warm, lass. You look perished. I’ll get you a nice hot cup o’ tea, eh?’

Whilst she bustled over to the stove Nancy joined her at the table to tell her in a hushed voice, ‘Ooh, you wouldn’t believe what’s been goin’ on up here! The mistress’s parents sent for a fancy doctor from London to look at the mistress an’ apparently, she’s really ill.’

When Amber raised her eyebrow, she rushed on, ‘Some sort o’ tumour in her stomach he reckons an’ there’s nowt that can be done for her, poor thing.’

Amber looked shocked. ‘But what about the babies?’

Nancy shrugged. ‘That’s another thing. Nanny ’as just given the master notice so he’s asked me to take over wi’ ’em for a while till he can find a replacement. Poor little mites.’

‘That’s terrible.’ As much as Amber hated Barnaby Greenwood she felt sorry for the mistress – doubly so now.

The cook bustled back with a steaming mug for her just then and asked, ‘Nancy told you the gossip, has she?’

Amber nodded as she sipped the drink gratefully. ‘Yes, it’s very sad. And I have a bit o’ gossip an’ all, as it happens.’ She went on to tell them of her uncle’s offer to have her mother go and live in Scarborough with him and when she was done Nancy frowned.

‘That’s good for your mam but what’ll you do now?’