It was late afternoon by the time they finished hanging the clean washing on the lines strung across the beams, and they sat down beneath it as it slowly steamed in the heat of the fire.

‘I saw Bertie earlier on an’ he was askin’ questions about why I went to stay in Scarborough,’ Amber said worriedly. ‘You don’t think he knows somethin’, do you?’

‘O’ course he don’t,’ her mother said, reaching out to pat her hand. ‘I told your uncle that I’d join him in Scarborough in the next couple weeks or so.’ She looked around sadly at the little cottage that had been her home for so many years. ‘First though, I’ll have to get rid of all me stuff. I had a word wi’ Mrs Preston earlier an’ told her I were leavin’ an’ sellin’ up, an’ that’s better than usin’ a loud speaker. Everyone will know be now that I’ve stuff to sell, unless you want to keep anythin’, o’ course?’

Amber shook her head. ‘Even if I did I’ve nowhere to store it,’ she responded. ‘And anyway, if you can sell it for a few bob you’ll ’ave a bit behind you.’

‘But what will you do, lass? Please won’t you change yer mind an’ come with me? I’m sure we’d settle there.’

‘Don’t you worry about me,’ Amber gave her a warm smile as she rubbed some goose fat into her sore hands. ‘I had a word wi’ Nancy up at Greenacres earlier on an’ she’s goin’ to speak to her mam about me stayin’ wi’ them for a bit, just until I get on me feet an’ find another post.’

Alice looked horrified. ‘What? You’re plannin’ to stay wi’ Sadie Grimshaw? Why, they’re packed to the ceilin’ wi’ little ’uns as it is an’ although she’s got a heart as big as a bucket she ain’t the cleanest o’ women, it’s a well-known fact.’

Amber chuckled. ‘Well, it’ll do fer now. It ain’t as if I’m intendin’ to be there for long, is it? A job is bound to turn up.’

Alice sniffed, clearly displeased with the news, but she held her tongue. Her daughter had grown up into a young woman over the last months, she’d had to, and now she must let her chick leave the nest and fly free. It wouldn’t stop her worrying about her, though, and she wished that things might have been different. It was a funny old life and you never knew what was around the corner. She just prayed that it would be something good for Amber. She deserved a bit of good luck after all she’d been through.

*