‘I have not, I’ve just been remembering how many good times we had here, and looking at what Father is taking with him and what needs doing before we move in next week.’ Isabelle linked her arm into James’s and smiled at Jane, who was yawning and looked tired, next to her father. ‘Tired after your first day at work?’

‘I’m exhausted. Am I expected to do that every day of the week? Bert Bannister never shut up about my grandmother, and said I had to learn from the bottom of the firm upwards, just like she had. Can’t I be in the office, Mother, or even learn to dressmake, if I have to?’

‘It won’t do you any harm to know the warehouse, and to deal with the orders coming in and out – Bert’s quite right. You’ve got to know how the firm works, and get to know everyone we deal with. After all, one day it will all be yours, just as my mother has left it to me.’

‘But, Mother, I could help Father develop his photographs and help tidy his studio. Anything but be with old Bert Bannister; he’s so slow and everything has to be done so precisely,’ said Jane.

‘You respect your elders, madam,’ said James. ‘And it is “Mr Bannister” to you. No matter what position he has or age he is. Manners will get you a long way in this life.’

Jane scowled at her father. What did he know? She was sure he had never been her age. ‘I’m going out to look at the foal in the paddock. I could hear her whinnying at the sound of us arriving. She must be lonely, she’s been used to having someone looking after her all the time.’

‘If you find Luke out there, tell him we are going home shortly. I think he said he was going down to the river,’ shouted Isabelle after her daughter, as Jane scurried out across the hallway. Turning to James, she pulled him close to her. ‘We are going to be so happy here – I love Windfell.’ She kissed him on the lips and smiled, knowing that she had everything a woman could wish for.

‘Perhaps we have too much. I have a strange feeling, when things are going this well, that something is bound to go wrong.’ James smiled at his wife and held her tightly as she sighed with contentment.

‘Don’t be such a pessimist. Nothing – and no one – can touch us now. God bless my dear mama. I do realize that I owe her everything.’ Isabelle pulled James closer to her.

‘You’d do well to remember that, and dear Archie. He’s about to give up his home for you.’ James hoped Isabelle’s feeling of self-importance would pass quickly. He was uneasy that everything in her life had come easily to her and that sometimes she took things for granted.