She went up to her room then to give Biddy time to clear the pots from the dining-room table and shortly after, she met Mrs Carter in the hall and they set off for their walk along the front. There was a Punch and Judy kiosk on the beach and they paused to watch the children’s faces as they giggled and clapped at Mr Punch with glee whist their parents looked fondly on. Others were busily building sandcastles with brightly painted tin buckets and spades while a few more daring children were paddling in the sea. The town was becoming busy with holidaymakers now and Amber couldn’t help but think how nice it must be to be able to afford to stay in a hotel and be waited on – not that she begrudged them their break. It was nice to see so many happy, smiling faces.

‘My uncle informed me tonight that he don’t think I should work in the shop anymore,’ Amber told Mrs Carter as they leant on the iron railings overlooking the beach that ran all along the sea front.

‘Oh, and how do you feel about that?’

Amber shrugged. ‘I suppose he’s right. The least people that know about this the better an’ I am showin’ well now.’

‘In that case we shall have to find you something to do,’ Mrs Carter told her. ‘I’ve got some nice soft linen, perhaps you could make some little nightdresses for when the baby comes.’

Amber’s face became solemn as she shook her head. ‘What would be the point, seein’ as I ain’t goin’ to keep it? I dare say they supply the clothes for the babies at the poorhouse.’

‘Even if they do, you’ll need to keep it just for a few days or so and we’ll need to make sure it has something to wear,’ Mrs Carter pointed out sensibly.

Suddenly the pleasure had gone from the evening for Amber and saying that she was rather tired she turned back towards her uncle’s house. Once there she went to her room where she lay on the bed, crying broken-heartedly. Suddenly everything seemed such a mess and she wondered if her life would ever be the same again. And all because she’d believed Barnaby Greenwood when he had told her that he loved her and that they would be together one day. She had fallen in love with him and gone into his arms like a lamb to slaughter, but she had meant nothing to him and now she must pay the price.

*