‘Like bliss!’ Amber’s hands were so chapped and sore that it took her some time to undo the buttons on her blouse and undress, but at last her clothes lay in a heap at the side of the tub and as she slid into the water she sighed with contentment.

‘The word’s goin’ round that the mistress up at Greenacres has had twins,’ her mother told her a few minutes later as she passed her a steaming mug.

Amber nodded. ‘I know. I saw Nancy and she told me. I saw Mr Greenwood an’ all this mornin’.’

‘Oh yes, an’ what did he have to say for himself?’ Alice’s voice was scathing.

‘He offered me my old job back an’ it took me all me time not to tell him he could stuff it up his arse!’ There was a wicked twinkle in Amber’s eyes and within seconds both she and her mother were giggling.

‘Eeh, it’s good to have a laugh,’ Alice said as she mopped at her eyes with the bottom of her pinafore. ‘But on a more serious note, what are you goin’ to do when this job is done? You ain’t the sort to sit about the house, an’ as you know jobs are scarce round here.’

Sombre again, Amber nodded. ‘I know, but somethin’ will turn up,’ she said optimistically, and for then the subject was dropped.

*

The girls were due to move on the next day and as Amber worked alongside them she suddenly realised how much she would miss them. They had formed a friendship and although the job had been back-breaking it had taken her mind off recent events.

‘Yer could allus change yer mind an’ come wi’ us, lass,’ Isla encouraged, but Amber smiled and shook her head.

‘Thank you, but I reckon it’s time I decided what I want to do wi’ me life now.’ She sighed as she looked out over the sea of masts bobbing eerily in the fog that had settled over the harbour. In a few days it would be October and she knew the job would be even more unpleasant when the really bad weather set in.

It was dark by the time she wearily set off for home and she had just walked along Bridge Street and turned into Church Street when she saw a tall, well-dressed figure striding purposefully towards her and her heart sank. It was Barnaby Greenwood and it was too late to avoid him now because she knew he had seen her, so with her chin held high she walked on until they drew level with each other.

‘Ah, Miss Ainsley, I was just coming to see you,’ he said courteously and she scowled at him.

‘And why would that be? I don’t reckon we have anythin’ to say to each other anymore,’ she replied boldly. Just the sight of him turned her stomach now after what he had put her through.