‘I’ve not got a problem with Isabelle; it is she who has a problem with me. Did you notice that she hardly spoke a word to me in the church? She just doesn’t understand that my children come first,’ said Harriet.

‘That’s because she couldn’t speak – out of respect for the dead. Perhaps you should be the one to show a bit more respect. After all, my mother did a lot for us and our family, despite what you think. Don’t forget that Crummock was hers, and we will have to wait and see how the land lies after the funeral.’

Danny looked worried. What if Charlotte had left Crummock to Isabelle? Harriet would not be happy with that. To her, Isabelle had it all and enjoyed a life of ease. Isabelle being made the landlord of Crummock would be the last straw.

‘I’ll curse if your mother has left Isabelle Crummock. She’s had everything on a plate since the moment she was born. Her mother set her up in business, and even then she was too busy chasing after worthless men, leaving me to do all the work.’ Harriet looked as black as thunder as she pulled on her leather gloves.

‘You left the business because you wanted to bring up our family. You’ve only yourself to blame. Mother bent over backwards for you when Rosie was born, following the deaths of our first two. She was always there for you, and fully understood your decision to stay at home and be with Rosie and the rest of the family, as they came along. So stop blaming everybody else for your lifestyle. Besides, you want for nothing; we’ve a good living – it’s a bit rough in winter, but we’ve all we could wish for.’ Danny was tired of hearing the constant moaning of his wife. She had been broken-hearted at the deaths of her two eldest, but so had he. Harriet tended to forget that and withdraw into herself, blaming everyone and anyone who challenged her view on life.

‘My children are everything to me, which is more than can be said for Isabelle. Just look at Luke – he doesn’t seem to have an ounce of sense in him; and as for Jane, well, she’s been brought up by your mother and has every one of her traits, the bossy little madam.’

‘Aye, she’s a fair lass, is Jane. My mother taught her well.’ Danny grinned and looked across at his niece, who was standing next to her mother Isabelle, joining in intently a conversation about some subject that she had an opinion on.