‘Aye, tuck in, lad – fill your boots. Make best of it while there’s stuff on the table.’ Archie grinned; he’d been in the same position, the first time he’d sat in the exact same spot and not been wanted by old Father Booth, as he’d eyed his daughter.

‘Yes, I like salmon, but what I’ve caught from the beck is nowt like this.’ Ethan looked at the red-coloured fish, which showed barely any resemblance to what he usually caught.

‘This is tinned salmon – a real delicacy. We only have it on special occasions, birthdays and Christmas. I thought it would be a treat on Rosie’s birthday.’ Harriet looked across at Ethan, who didn’t appear that impressed.

‘Mam, why is Ethan eating with us? He’s usually out in the stable,’ Ben spouted up as he looked at Ethan, while hiding his bread crusts under his plate edge.

‘Because he is – that’s all you need to know for now.’ Harriet smiled at her young son. ‘Now eat your crusts up, they’ll make your hair curl.’

‘I don’t want curly hair. I know why he’s here. I saw him kissing our Rosie in the cowshed last week. They didn’t see me because I kept quiet; they are always kissing. Blaaa . . .’ He put his tongue out and pulled a face.

‘You shut up, our Ben, you don’t know anything. You are nothing but a peeping Tom.’ Rosie kicked her brother under the table and glared at him.

‘Now you make Ethan welcome at our table. Him and your sister are courting, and we will have none of your cheek, Ben Atkinson.’ Danny looked across at his son and stirred his tea. ‘Else you can go and join Georgina in a sleep upstairs in your bedroom.’ He looked across at the two lovers and saw Rosie’s cheeks blush. ‘I’m off down to Windfell tomorrow, Ethan, do you want to come with me? We can see your mother and father, and then we can tell them how things are between you and Rosie. They’ve a right to know and, if I tell your father that we are somewhat happy with the situation, he should treat you right.’

Ethan bowed his head. ‘I expect my father will bray me again. I shouldn’t even be looking at Rosie, let alone walking out with her, in his eyes. But I’ll come, and then both my mother and father will know what I’m about. If you’d back me up, Mr Atkinson, I’d appreciate that.’ He lifted his head up and looked at Rosie and smiled.