‘Oh, Rosie, is that why you were feeling so ill last night? I lay awake and worried about you into the early hours, but now I know it was that, I feel better. It’s a woman’s curse, for sure, and something that we have all to bear. Mary would have understood; and besides, there is no reason for her to come into your room. You need not have rushed to wash them. Are you feeling better this morning?’ Harriet put her arm around Rosie and kissed her on the brow.

Rosie held her tightly. She wanted to confess all, but didn’t say a word about her ordeal. She put her head on her mother’s shoulder and smelled the perfume that Harriet wore, the perfume she only wore on special occasions. Today it had been put on for her first day back at Atkinson’s. ‘I love you, Mother.’ She held back a tear.

‘Hey, what’s all this about? I’ll be back later this evening – all is sorted for you. There’s a pie in the pantry for you to put in the oven; you only need to peel the potatoes, and all the cleaning has been done. I bottomed everything last week and Mary, I’m sure, will fit in fine. She’ll look after Georgina and Ben, once he’s back from school.’ Harriet held her daughter tightly. If Isabelle hadn’t been in such a fix, she wouldn’t even be thinking of going back to work at Atkinson’s. But now that the chance had occurred, she had to admit she was looking forward to it. She hadn’t banked on Rosie being this upset; it was Rosie who had acted strangely, from the moment she had agreed to step into Madge’s shoes, albeit just temporarily.

‘I know, Mother. I can manage all that. I’ll just miss you.’ Rosie stood back and wiped her tears. ‘You’ve never been away from home before for so long.’