But the biggest surprise is Uncle Jeramiah. A while ago I dropped a hint to him that Mrs Carter would love a puppy and before I knew it he only goes out and buys her one. She’s a lovely little thing and Mrs Carter has named her Fancy. But you’ll never guess the next bit – now all of a sudden Uncle is going for a stroll each evening after dinner with Mrs Carter when she takes the dog for a walk and they seem to be getting on like a house on fire! Who knows, we might have a wedding in the offing, eh? But we’ll have to wait and see.

As for me, well all I can say is I’m so bored!!!! Since Uncle stopped me working in the shop time hangs heavy on me hands and I can’t wait to come home and look for a new post.

Alice sighed; Amber was always careful never to mention the baby she was carrying in case one of her brothers or her father saw the letter. They still had no idea that Amber was with child and she prayed it would stay that way. But Alice could read between the lines and it saddened her that she couldn’t be with her only daughter to help her through this difficult time.

Still, I don’t reckon it will be too much longer now. I can hardly wait to see yer an’ the rest of me family again. Till then, take care an’ stay safe,

All my love,

Amber xxx

As she finished reading, a shadow appeared in the doorway and glancing up Alice saw Molly Preston standing there.

‘’Ello, lass. My Bertie asked me to call round to see if you’d any news of when Amber might be home.’

Alice shook her head as she hastily returned the letter to its envelope and tucked it into her pocket.

‘Not as yet I’m afraid,’ she informed her neighbour. ‘That was a letter I was readin’ off her just then as it happens but she didn’t mention when she might be back.’

‘Oh, that’s a pity, our Bertie is missin’ her somethin’ awful.’

Alice grinned. ‘Well, he didn’t appear to be missin’ her that much when he come by here last night with young Betsy Piper hangin’ off his arm.’

Mrs Preston sniffed. ‘Ah, but these lasses who chase after him don’t mean a thing,’ she said in her son’s defence. ‘An’ who can blame ’em? He is the best-lookin’ young man hereabouts, ain’t he? But at the end o’ the day it’s your Amber he’s set his cap at as wife material. Ain’t it always been took for granted atween the two families that they’d wed one day?’