‘Well, I wish you well, Mr Bland. Jane, I know you are enjoying Mr Bland’s company, but don’t neglect our other guests.’ Isabelle gave a tight smile as she stepped away from the young couple.

‘Please, Mrs Fox, my name is Daniel. In future, please call me Daniel – I’m sure you know why.’ He caught her arm.

‘Oh yes, I know why. I only hope you are not here to cause trouble or hurt any of my family,’ whispered Isabelle out of earshot of Jane, thankful that the band was extremely loud.

‘No, I simply want to meet my father, and this is one way to do it. My mother loved him, and still does, but I’ll keep that to myself. There’s been enough hurt in my life, without causing it in somebody else’s. I’ll take care.’

Daniel looked earnest as he watched Isabelle make her way to her husband and then on towards her stepbrother, and then lead Danny away from his wife and family. He didn’t want to hurt anyone, not in the way he had been hurt in his life; he just wanted to fit in. The more he had talked to Jane, the more he knew he was where he belonged, and that this was his true family. The family his mother had wanted to be part of, but had never had the chance.

29

29

‘I can’t be down here long, Ethan, they will miss me.’ Mazy stood back in the bustling kitchen of Windfell and looked at her son. ‘Heavens, you look different. Nancy’s done a right good job of cutting your hair and shortening the trousers – I couldn’t have managed without her. I feel real tearful, just looking at you: my son dressed up like a gentleman. A handsome one at that.’ Mazy bit her lip and stood back to look at her son, dressed in the evening suit that had been discarded for the rag-and-bone man. He looked handsome, clean-shaven, his black hair slick and neat; a match for any man on the dance floor.

‘Aye, I don’t think Rosie will look at another bloke once she sees me. I may have no money, but even I’m surprised at how well I scrub up.’ Ethan looked down at his black trousers and at the work shoes that were just hidden under the length of them. ‘Pity he wasn’t throwing out some shoes as well, but you can’t have everything.’