His smile fades when he sees my expression. He clears his throat. ‘Ah, but still, as your mother says, the love is there. Is it not?’

‘It is.’

‘I shan’t never love a man,’ Annie says as she peers into the buttermilk and dips her finger in.

‘Good lass,’ Mam says.

‘When I’m growed,’ Annie says, slurping around her finger, ‘I’d rather be a man than love one, anyhow.’

Seth laughs. ‘That will take more than prayer, little one.’

She scoops a handful of buttermilk. She has said her piece and the conversation no longer interests her.

‘So you see my objection?’ Mam asks. Her eyes follow movement on the floor, and I know she watches Dew-Springer, but will not speak to him while Seth is here.

‘It is difficult, to be sure. The father is not one to take monetary matters lightly.’

They are all against us. Even Seth, who has been our ally all these years, gently dissuading those that have wanted to attack us in God’s name.

‘But you choose wisely, my dear.’

Mam snorts. ‘A wealthy family?’

‘But the most compassionate, the very kindest and good of heart. Of all the young men in the village, oh you have chosen the ray of light. There is hope.’

He bounces over to me, bends so our faces are level and clutches my hands. His palms are warm and wet, his eyes that look into mine so earnestly quiver. There are times of melancholy that come upon him, and times when he sees only joy, despite what may be in front of him. But his words bring my dreams alive and I choose to notice only them.

He rushes over to Mam, cloak flapping and catching on the corner of the table. ‘I can help, I will intervene. If they are ardent and constant, as even you believe, then I can persuade the father. He is a man that wants to be assured of his place in heaven, for his dear wife awaits him there, and given the role bestowed on me I am the only one with the power to convince him that this is the way.’

There is a pause in which Annie burps and grimaces, and I think for a moment that she’ll puke over the table. Buttermilk looks no different going in or coming out.

Mam steps back from Seth as he stands almost touching her. ‘Your thoughts are no straighter than hers today,’ she says. ‘There are times when you see the world as more beautiful than it is. Remember. Know yourself.’

He sighs and lifts his face again. ‘I see the world as God intended, touched by His hand and infused with light. And love.’ He turns to me and beams.

Annie climbs down from her stool and shuffles towards me, bent a little and clutching her belly.