He is kind to bring it, but I’ve never had one and am not sure how to wear it. I remember Mam’s from years past, falling to points over her shift, but cannot see how to make this cloth hang that way. Reluctantly I stand, shaking it out and trying to place it over my shoulders, as I imagine it should sit, desperate not to show my ignorance. It doesn’t feel right, too much at my back and too clumsily bunched at the front.

Daniel stands, giving a loud bark of laughter that sets a flush of shame running over my cheeks. ‘What are you doing?’ he asks.

I have never felt my otherness more keenly.

He takes it from me, folds and places it over my shoulders neatly. His arm brushes my burning cheek. The cloth is fine, and smells a little of mildew, sitting softly against me like no other clothing I own.

‘There,’ he says.

What must he think of me, knowing now that I am so poor I’ve never owned a thing so common for every village woman? So stupid I don’t even know how to wear it. Hot, angry tears spill down my face, shaming me further.

I rip the neckerchief from my shoulders, throw it at his feet, and run.

‘Wait,’ I hear him call behind me. ‘Wait, please, I don’t – what have I done?’ There is desperation in his voice, but he does not follow and I am glad of it.

Flawns and neckerchiefs and farm lads are not for me, as Mam has always warned, and I was foolish to come. Tearing over the scrubby ground and through the trees to the hill, I stumble but don’t stop, running so quickly that my chest burns, taking myself away from Daniel as fast and as far as possible. I need now to be with my own kind.

Frost Burn

Market day down by the harbour was the usual buzz of shouts and greetings, the scent of brine and salt sting of sea-whipped air. Daniel watched as Bett negotiated the price of a bundle of herring with mock disbelief, trying to put aside thoughts of Sarah. He had not dared to leave the stone these past days, knowing she would not come. He had embarrassed her, and was shamed by his own clumsiness.

‘You think I came down the beck in a bubble, Hannah?’ Bett said. Daniel pulled his thoughts back to what was happening in front of him. ‘I can’t pay that, the master’s standing right here, he’ll think I’ve lost all sense and I’ll be out of work. Isn’t that so, sir?’