‘I know, but I’ve never forgotten her.’ Danny hung his head.

‘No – nor I your mother. But they are both in the past. Anyway, I’ve told you my news. Think about it, but don’t go hurting your own family; they should come first. And today let’s go and face the music with Isabelle; she’ll be in a slightly better mood if she thinks she can move into Windfell and get rid of me from under its roof.’ Archie smiled as he watched his son struggle with the news. He wondered if he shouldn’t have told him about Daniel, but if his own son had been living across the other side of the dale, unbeknown to him, he’d have wanted to know. Whatever Danny did, it was up to him now.

Isabelle looked at Archie and wiped her nose and eyes as the family group stood outside the solicitor’s, after hearing the will being read. She looked at her family group. ‘Well, I didn’t know what to think when you ignored me yesterday, Father. As it stands, dear Mama has done right by all of us. I presume you will be staying at Windfell, Father?’ Isabelle looked for support from James as he stood next to Danny.

‘Nay, lass, you can have Windfell now. It’s of no use to me. I’ve decided to move out. I’ve asked Danny if I can move in with him and Harriet, then you can have your home back all to yourself. I need nowt with that big posh house. I hate climbing those bloody stairs. With hindsight, I should never have sold my father’s home of Butterfield Gap.’ Archie looked at Isabelle and watched as her eyes flashed, thinking of Windfell becoming her new home and the consequences of Archie moving into Crummock.

‘You are going to live at Crummock? Does Harriet know? She’ll not be very happy. She’s never happy about anything nowadays.’ Isabelle shot a glance at Danny. She was at the end of her tether with her sister-in-law and her surly ways.

‘Danny’s asking her later in the day. She’ll be right with it. After all Crummock will be theirs, after my day, and your mother gave her a sweetener when she left her those few shares in the firm. It’ll make Harriet think herself valued at long last.’ Archie looked sternly at Isabelle. ‘You be right with her, Isabelle – you and Harriet used to be so close. You just made different decisions, but Harriet deserves a bit of the profit from the shops.’ Archie had noticed Isabelle’s face cloud over when old Walker had disclosed a 10 per cent share in the chain of shops to go to Harriet.