‘Well, you can’t go without me really. I’ll come, but I’ll keep a low profile and sit at the back of the church, away from the family.’ Danny glanced quickly at his father. The old bugger knew him too well; he knew exactly what he was thinking.

‘I wonder what’s to become of Ragged Hall. Will Bill have left it to his lass, or perhaps her lad will have been given it? He’s the one that deserves it – he was there when he was needed.’ Archie leaned upon the kitchen table and looked out of the window, deep in thought. ‘Ragged Hall’s always been in the Brown family. Bill will not have wanted it to go to any of that lot over in Slaidburn. I bet your lad’s got it.’

‘Father, he may not be my lad. Just because he’s blond, it means nowt,’ Danny snapped.

‘Tha’ll see for yourself. He’s yours alright, and he’s back where he belongs. A cuckoo never falls far from its nest. He’ll be back at Ragged Hall, I’ll bet you my last penny.’ Archie grinned.

‘Now, we can’t have you looking like that. Here, let me straighten your tie. And keep your trilby on if you can, at the graveside, as your hair needs cutting.’ Harriet fussed over Danny, making sure he looked respectable for the funeral that both he and his father were attending. She turned to Archie and straightened the white handkerchief in his pocket. ‘Now, don’t worry if you are late back for milking. Rosie and Ethan have it in hand. We all know how these funerals drag on, especially with you farmers. You’ll be discussing the price of sheep and what the weather is doing, while poor old Bill’s grave is filled in and he’s already forgotten about.’

‘Nay, lass, we will try and be back in good time. Now Bill’s gone, his family doesn’t have anything in common with us.’ Archie smiled at Harriet and then glanced quickly at Danny. ‘Right, lad, let’s be away. It’s only a little chapel at Rathmell and I need a seat, as my old legs won’t be able to hold me up through the full service.’

‘Bye, Harriet. We should be back before milking, so don’t worry. As you say, the time we get back will depend on this old gasbag and who he gets talking to.’ Danny leaned forward and kissed Harriet on the cheek. He rarely did this and Harriet knew exactly why he had done it today, as she watched father and son leave the warmth of her kitchen.