‘You’ll have to get used to this, after this evening; it’ll be your job three nights a week. That’ll put an end to your trailing.’ Danny looked at his daughter, who had been quiet of late, and he suspected that she was sulking about her mother’s new role in life.

‘I’m looking forward to it. Mother has shown me all that I should be doing, and I know what food I’ve to make you all for the next few meals. It isn’t as if I’ve never turned my hand to being in the kitchen before. I just prefer to be outside.’ Rosie smiled at her father as she went to stir the stew. A pain in the bottom of her stomach made her stop for a minute, and she caught her breath in front of her grandfather. He looked concerned.

‘Are you alright, lass?’ Archie put his hand on her arm.

‘Yes, yes, I’m fine. It’s just my ribs, where Billy butted me. They are sore.’ Rosie was lying. She knew something was amiss, and it was not just the bruising from her tussle with the tup lamb. ‘Can you tell Mama that I’m going to take my supper up to bed with me – it’s been a long day and the fall has shaken me up slightly?’ Rosie ladled a portion of stew into a bowl and picked up a slice of bread and a spoon from the table.

‘Your mother would like you to stay with us tonight, for she’s feeling guilty about leaving us all, as it is.’ Danny looked up at his daughter, who was acting a little out of character.

‘I’m sorry. I’ll see her in the morning before she goes, but now I’m going to have to go to my bed. My ribs hurt.’ Rosie quickly made for the bottom of the stairs, hoping that she did not meet her mother on the way down from putting Georgina to bed, as the pain in her stomach worsened.

‘She doesn’t look well, Danny.’ Archie looked across at his son, who was looking out of the window, watching Ben teasing the dog.

‘She’s alright. She never complained when she was helping us finish with the last of the sheep. She’s sulking, Father; she doesn’t want to take responsibility for the home. Don’t let her pull the wool over your eyes. Remember her play-acting when her and Ethan buggered off to Appleby Fair. Well, she’s doing it again.’ Danny sat back and breathed in deeply. ‘There’s nowt up with her, she’s just got to realize that she’s got to grow up – and grow up quickly.’

‘Well, I hope you are right, lad.’ Archie looked into the fire. It wasn’t his place to say any more, but he was worried about Rosie.