Amber had done her chores and, wishing to give them some privacy, Barnaby was busily digging the vegetable garden in readiness for the winter stock that he was going to plant. For Nancy it was a treat to be out in the fresh air after working in the smoky confines of the inn. Not that she was complaining. A job was a job at the end of the day and she considered herself lucky to have one, so with Amber carrying Charlotte they carefully made their way down to their own little private beach.

Within minutes Charlotte was happily crawling about picking up shells and tasting the sand as the seagulls wheeled and swooped in the sky above them.

‘I noticed that you an’ Mr Greenwood seem to be rubbin’ along a bit better.’ Nancy peeped at Amber out of the corner of her eye, a teasing smile playing at the corner of her lips.

‘Well, I suppose I realised that it made sense to try an’ get on at least. But don’t get readin’ anything more than that into it.’

‘You could ’ave fooled me. Why, I couldn’t miss the way he were watchin’ you when we were sittin’ outside.’

‘Don’t talk such rubbish,’ Amber snapped more sharply than she had intended. She knew she should tell Nancy about the impending marriage. Word would spread through the town like wildfire once the banns had been read at St Mary’s, and as Nancy was about the only friend she had left she supposed she should. ‘I, er . . . have somethin’ to tell you, as it happens . . . The thing is, Barnaby’s asked me to marry him. It’ll be a purely platonic marriage for Charlotte’s sake, o’ course. But we’re sick of people callin’ us names an’ we thought it might shut ’em up.’

Nancy looked shocked then delighted and hoping to change the subject Amber asked, ‘And what about you an’ Jimmy?’

Nancy blushed prettily. ‘Oh, we’re gettin’ on fine. In fact, to be honest . . . well, I reckon I’m a bit struck with him.’

‘And does he feel the same about you?’

Nancy nodded. ‘I reckon so, but we’ll just ’ave to see ’ow things go.’ She looked sad then as she said quietly, ‘I were sorry to ’ear you ’ad another break-in while you were away at your uncle’s weddin’. I don’t know why folks can’t just leave you in peace.’

Amber shrugged as she took the pins from her hair and shook it loose. ‘I’m all right. And at least it wasn’t so bad as the first time. I let Barnaby get most o’ the shoppin’ in now when he’s in town an’ I only go in when I have to, and when I do I only get called names – there’s been no more egg-throwin’. That’s part o’ the reason we’re gettin’ wed.’