‘Word ’as it that the Greenwoods’ nanny ’as took off wi’ his baby daughter who just ’appens to be called Charlotte. Coincidence, eh? An’ stranger still is the fact that he ain’t got the law out lookin’ fer ’em. Folks are sayin’ that’s because she’s their babby, his an’ the kid’s nanny.’

‘I-I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about,’ Amber flustered but he was like a dog with a bone and not ready to give up on the gossip just yet.

‘I wonder ’ow much Greenwood’d pay to get his precious babby back, eh?’

‘He wouldn’t pay anything,’ Amber snapped, although fear was crawling along her spine. ‘Cos she ain’t got nothin’ to do with him.’ She tried to pass him and head back to the kitchen. But he wasn’t done with her yet and he caught her wrist.

‘You don’t fool me, girl! That kid is ’is, all right.’

‘Let me tell you now, Melvin Barstow, Charlotte is mine! And if you dare try to take her away from me, your ugly face an’ your crippled leg’ll be the least of your problems, cos I’d get the police to lock you up and make sure they throw away the key!’ Amber yanked her wrist from his grip and with her eyes flashing fire she walked towards the kitchen, although inside she was quaking. She’d hoped that if she had settled far enough out of the town it would be a case of out of sight out of mind but it seemed the townspeople were beginning to put and two together and if Melvin did send word to Barnaby, and he came looking for her . . . She shuddered. She might be the one to find herself in prison.

Charlotte was just finishing her milk when she re-entered the kitchen and once again Amber saw that the infant’s eyes were growing heavy so, lifting her from Mrs Barstow’s lap, she carried her up to her loft room to wash her and settle her into bed before she had to set about preparing supper for the menfolk. Even though they had only just eaten the huge steak and kidney pie she’d baked that afternoon, as well as a pile of potatoes and vegetables, she knew they’d be hungry again soon. She sometimes wondered if they had hollow legs.

When she arrived back downstairs, Melvin was back sitting at the table but thankfully he didn’t mention the altercation they’d had and she was grateful for that at least.