‘But now you have me. To intervene on your behalf. To persuade. I have been chosen for this task, it is therefore impossible that I should fail.’

Bewildered as he was, Daniel understood that he must halt this plan now. ‘You are very kind to take on our cause, and I cannot express my gratitude. To have an ally is unexpected,’ he said, and meant it. ‘But if – if I could ask you to wait a while before you approach my father? Together we will find the best way, I’m sure.’

‘Of course. My enthusiasm has run me away, perhaps. I am told it does from time to time.’ He laid a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. ‘I will let you about your tasks. Come to me if you are in need of help. And when it is time to make our approach.’

Parson Walsh stepped right in the pile of ox filth as he left, though he did not appear to notice but marched straight on without faltering. Daniel watched him for as long as he could, trying to assemble and understand what had been spoken, but the animals’ needs must be seen to.

The oxen at last deposited in their field, Daniel hurried with the one Gabriel needed for harrowing, arriving hot-faced and gasping with effort. He would no doubt be in for some goading.

‘All right, don’t hurt yourself,’ Gabriel said.

‘Sorry. Delayed.’

‘Aye, all right then. Shackle her up.’

Daniel worked as quickly as he could, grateful for Gabriel’s cheerful mood.

‘Late waking, were you?’ Gabriel asked, winking.

‘Ah, no, it was—’

‘Too much a-bed and not enough sleep, was it?’

Daniel was horrified by Gabriel’s crudeness. ‘No, no, that’s not …’

Gabriel took his place on the other side of the ox’s head, slapping Daniel on the back as he passed. ‘No need to blush, it’s the natural way of things. We both are men and the blood will fire up.’ He grinned over the top of the beast. ‘Who is she, then, this lass that’s happy to let you dock? Not Molly after all, I hear she had a change of heart, as I knew she would.’

Daniel pulled on the ox until she moved, desperate to distract from this questioning. There was too much interest in his goings-on. He realised, heavy with disappointment, that he must keep away from the river for a few nights. They walked on at the ox’s uneven pace, but Gabriel would not break off.

‘Nor our Betty any more, I’m guessing, now she has a husband of her own to see to. Eh?’ He craned over the ox but Daniel stared straight ahead. He was in hell. God was punishing him at last for those sinful, unwedded touches he had once shared with Bett.

Those Within