He turned to look at her. ‘I’m sorry, Isabelle, I didn’t mean to cause you all this worry. I’ve been stupid. I love you, and our family. It was a few moments of self-indulgence that ended in disaster. A disaster that none of us will ever forget. But maybe it can make our marriage stronger, if we can overcome it.’ He leaned on his walking stick and looked at Isabelle. How could he have been such a fool and have allowed his head to be turned by Madge, when the woman he truly loved had always been by his side?

‘I can never forget what you have put us through, James. It will never be the same, but we must make the best of it. For all our sakes.’ Isabelle’s eyes filled with tears; she had missed her soulmate, the man she had always loved. But now, hopefully, he was hers once more. Perhaps some good had come out of Jane’s rash actions. She only hoped so.

‘That’s good to see.’ Jane entered the room quietly just as her father kissed her mother tenderly on the brow. ‘At least you are not shouting at one another.’ She walked past her parents, her eyes still red from crying, after the lecture and strong talking-to that both parents had given her, following the terrible few hours she had endured, locked up in the police cell. She’d been made to feel so unsure of herself, and as if the world was conspiring against her. She had, however, realized just how fervent her friend Nellie Taylor was in defence of the suffragettes, and had listened to Nellie shouting from the next cell, as she too was caught and detained. Poor Nellie, would she still be there?

Even though her mother had told the police to do what they wished with Nellie, Isabelle did not want to press charges. Jane knew the reason behind this was to protect herself and the family, as she would have been called as a witness, and it would be another scandal that her family was involved in. What a fool she had been to get so involved. Nellie, on the other hand, would stand her corner and probably do something more serious next time, following the call of the Pankhurst sisters and their like. That was not for her; she had learned her lesson.

‘We were just talking about you, my dear. Your father and I have decided that perhaps it would be a good idea, on his return to work shortly, for you to help him in his studio, instead of being downstairs with Bert.’ Isabelle went and stood behind her daughter and put her hand on her shoulder. She hated to see Jane so upset. ‘Then perhaps, when he is not so busy, you could come and learn some sewing skills with Aunt Harriet and myself, if you wish.’ She glanced over to James for reassurance.