‘Yes, I was. That’s how I recognized you, when Mazy introduced you. My mother had asked me to go to Lambert’s to get some Christmas Ball invitations printed. I was looking at what I thought she would like printed on them, while you were placing your order.’ Jane breathed in, wondering if she dared say the next line. ‘You must come as my guest. I know it will be a little soon after the death of your grandfather, but I’m sure he would approve. And I know Grandfather Archie would like to see you there. It’s on Christmas Eve, at eight p.m. I’ll send you an invitation, to remind you.’ She blushed. She had never been that forward before, but Daniel Bland was so good-looking and he was about to get his own farm, so her parents could not complain.

‘Aye, I might just do that. My grandfather would want me to. His dying words to me were to get on with life, after his day, and not mope about. You remind me, with an invitation, and I’ll be here.’ Daniel smiled across at the young woman who had made him welcome; he’d like to see a bit more of her, now that he knew who she was.

‘It’s a deal then.’ Jane laughed.

‘That it is, but now I’d better be on my way. Thank you for the drink and the warm-up. I’ll get on with the business of handing out my cards and telling everyone my bad news. It’s going to be a long day, if everyone I meet invites me in for a drink and to get warm. My grandfather must have been well liked.’

Daniel rose from his chair and looked at the young woman in front of him and at the house she lived in. It was a million miles from the hovel he’d been brought up in, and yet he had been told by his mother that this house was where his true father had lived nearly all his life. His true father, whom he had yet to meet.

25

25

‘Well, that’s another bugger gone. There’s hardly anybody left that I played and grew up with.’ Archie looked at the funeral card that Ethan had just handed him.

‘The devil looks after his own. You’ll be with us for a good time yet.’ Danny patted his father on his back as he stared at the notice of Bill Brown’s demise.

‘I suppose I will have to show my face at his funeral. Now, are you going to come along with me? It could be awkward for you. You’ll get to see the lad, though.’ Archie looked at his son and knew this was the moment that perhaps Danny had been waiting for: a glimpse of his former lover and their son, both of whom, he knew, must have been playing on his mind.