He lowered his head for a moment but then looking up again he said quickly, ‘Actually, I wished to speak to you about something that may be to your advantage.’ He was dressed in a top hat and a thick woollen overcoat and as she stared at his fine clothes, she became aware of how poorly dressed and smelly she was and flushed. ‘The thing is,’ he hurried on, afraid that she might set off again without hearing him out, ‘I heard of a job yesterday that I thought might suit you – not at Greenacres,’ he said hastily as he saw her scowl. ‘A good friend of mine is taking his wife to visit her family in London until after Christmas and unfortunately their nanny has been taken ill so they are looking for someone to accompany them to care for their two children. It would only be a temporary post until they returned, but would it be of interest to you?’ He had hated seeing her bent over gibbing the herrings and was looking for a way to assuage his sense of guilt.

Amber narrowed her eyes. ‘I ain’t never been a nanny,’ she pointed out shortly and he shook his head.

‘That wouldn’t matter in the least, I assure you. The Temples merely want someone trustworthy; they will be happy to tell you what’s expected of you and the pay is more than generous. The only thing is, they leave in three days’ time. This Saturday, in fact, so they would need an answer.’

Amber opened her mouth to tell him to clear off but then paused. Would she be cutting her nose off to spite her face? She actually liked the idea of visiting London; she’d never gone farther than Scarborough and this sounded like a job that would be much more pleasant than standing out in the freezing cold gutting herrings. After all, she reasoned, how hard could it be to look after two little children?

‘I should have to discuss it wi’ me mam,’ she told him cautiously. ‘So could I give you an answer tomorrer? I ain’t promisin’ anythin’, mind.’

‘Of course not, I quite understand.’ He smiled, but she was indifferent to his charms now and it didn’t make her like him any more.

‘May I come for your answer tomorrow then?’

‘Yes, in the evenin’ at the cottage,’ she answered. ‘I’m doin’ me last day wi’ the herrin’ girls tomorrer.’

‘Very well, thank you, Miss Ainsley.’ He removed his hat and gave a little bow before turning and striding away.

As Amber climbed the steps to Argument’s Yard, her mind was reeling. This was a turn up for the books and no mistake, although she had no idea why he should want to help her now after the way he had treated her.