She saw him flinch. Everyone knew that Louisa had brought the money to the marriage. Admittedly Barnaby had already owned two fishing trawlers when he met her, but Louisa’s father had provided the money that had helped him to build his businesses up.

‘Then I shall put it away and should you ever need it you only have to say.’ He slipped the money into his pocket and as Amber turned to walk away, he called, ‘Would you like me to see you home?’

She stopped abruptly and there was a sneer on her face as she turned and answered, ‘Why? Are you worried someone might take advantage o’ me?’ She gave a mirthless laugh that made his blood run cold. ‘I reckon it’s a bit late to be worryin’ about that, don’t you?’ And with that she walked away, leaving him standing there shamefaced.

She was walking along Church Street when she saw Bertie Preston swaggering towards her and she gave a silent groan. After having to speak to Barnaby Greenwood, he was just about the last person she wanted to see that evening, but he had seen her so there could be no avoiding him.

‘’Allo me lovely.’ As he drew level with her, he reached out in a familiar fashion to twist one of the curls lying on her shoulder around his finger and she instantly stepped back.

‘You can pack that in, Bertie Preston, I ain’t in the mood,’ she told him sternly and Bertie laughed. He was looking very smart and she had no doubt he would be off to a card game somewhere.

‘So when will yer be in the mood?’ he asked teasingly. ‘An’ when are yer gonna let me make an honest woman o’ yer? I don’t know why yer don’t just agree to it. Yer know we were meant to be together.’

‘Says who?’

Bertie shrugged. ‘Everybody! Even our mams allus took it fer granted we’d get wed when we were of an age, so why don’t we just do it? I’ve got enough tucked away to keep yer, an’ there’s old Mrs Besom’s cottage just come empty now she’s passed away. Think on it – yer wouldn’t ’ave to work again.’

Amber sighed and made to walk on but he caught her arm and now his voice had an edge to it as he told her, ‘I shouldn’t be too long makin’ yer mind up, gel. There’s plenty o’ lasses hereabouts as would jump at the chance o’ bein’ me wife.’