‘He even carries your name – Daniel. His grandfather said nowt, and I didn’t either, but I’m sure old Bill knows he’s yours. It’s up to you to introduce yourself, if that’s what you want. I think the lad deserves to know who his true father is, and perhaps you could make up for all the lost years. But I thought it fair that I let you know my thoughts.’ Archie looked across at his son; he didn’t know what to advise: whether to leave the lad alone, or suggest that Danny go to Ragged Hall and make himself known. The decision had to be Danny’s.

Danny rubbed his hand through his hair. ‘I’ve never told Harriet about Amy Brown and me – let alone about the baby that I suspected was mine. We aren’t seeing eye-to-eye at the moment, as it is, as she’s never satisfied with her lot. Finding out I fathered a baby before we were married would be the final nail in the coffin.’

‘Aye, I’ve heard her moaning at you. She’ll not really want me living with you, but she might have to bite her tongue a bit, if she thinks I’m listening in. Wait until I’m there with you and then make up your mind. Daniel’s not going anywhere. Part of the reason he’s with his grandfather is that he and Amy’s husband don’t get on, so Bill told me. Her husband probably realizes that he’s got a cuckoo in his nest.’ Archie rubbed his hand over his knees because they were aching, and thought about the young man who had greeted him and taken him by surprise as he entered the yard of Ragged Hall.

‘Is he good-looking, Father? How tall is he? Does he really look like me?’ Danny leaned forward; he knew full well that, now he was aware of his son’s existence, he was going to have to meet him.

‘Aye, if you can remember yourself in the mirror from twenty years back, then he’s you. A bit thinner perhaps and doesn’t look right happy, but by the sounds of it he hasn’t had the best home life. He’s the oldest of five, and it’ll have been a struggle for your Amy, bringing them all up at Slaidburn.’ Archie noticed the look of concern on his son’s face.

‘And Amy – did Bill mention how she is doing?’ Danny remembered the wild young lass with dancing eyes who had captured his heart that long, hot summer. He should have married her, not Harriet, but the family had to come first back then.

‘He never mentioned her. Sorry, lad.’ Archie looked at the disappointment in his son’s eyes. ‘Best you think what to do about the lad, and leave Amy alone. Remember, you’ve responsibilities of your own; you’ve enough on your plate.’