‘Oh, alright, I suppose a quick look round is not going to get you into any harm. Now you take care and behave yourselves, else I’ll be out on my arse if your mother finds out I’m encouraging you both. I’ll give you the key and I expect it back later today. You just look round, and you say nowt to your parents. Otherwise I’ll not be welcome living here no more, and I’ll need the cottage.’ Archie scratched his head and went over to the drawer in his desk. ‘My Aunt Lucy will be looking down and laughing at me. She always used to have a soft spot for me and Charlotte, and now I’m in the same situation with you and Ethan. I know true love when I see it, even if you are both too young.’ He looked at Rosie. ‘Now you do nowt you’d be ashamed to tell me of and you return this key to me tonight, and then I’ll say nowt to nobody.’

‘I promise, Grandfather, and thank you. I knew you’d understand.’ Rosie took the key and kissed Archie on the cheek. She hesitated before leaving him to walk down into Austwick with Ethan. ‘I do love him, Grandfather.’

‘I know, lass, just be careful. I’d hate to see you hurt.’ Archie sat on the end of his bed and sighed as he watched Rosie nearly skipping out of the doorway. She was only young – too young to be wanting a home and family of her own, especially with raggle-taggle Ethan, even if they were made for one another. Anyway, it might all come to nothing. Time would tell.

‘It’s perfect Rosie. I know it’s only got two bedrooms, but that’s all we’d need for a start.’ Ethan looked around him.

‘For a start, Ethan Haygarth! How many children were you thinking of us having? I might not want any.’ Rosie looked out of the window at the limestone scars of the fell called Moughton and smiled to herself. Then she remembered the night when she had lain alone with her worries and her pain, bringing a pang of uncertainty back to her.

‘I’m sorry, Rosie, I should think more of what I say. But I’d love a big family. And after a good paint with whitewash, and new homes found for the various spiders that seem to be everywhere, I think we could not wish for anything better for a brood of our own.’ Ethan put his arms around her waist and kissed her neck as she looked out of the window. ‘We could be really happy here.’

‘I know, Ethan, but I’m scared,’ Rosie whispered.

‘Don’t be scared. I’ll always be by your side, I promise,’ he whispered as he held her tight.

‘I can’t help it, not after . . .’