Harriet shook as she remembered the day twenty years ago when she could not get home to her children in time, after working in the shop at Skipton in the run-up to Christmas. ‘I still feel so guilty. I put my work first and placed the children in the care of their nanny. I thought it was just a cold they both had. If I’d been there with them, and had noticed their suffering and seen them fighting for breath before I set off for the shop, they might still be with us, if I had called the doctor out in time.’ She pulled her handkerchief out of her sleeve and sobbed into it.

‘Diphtheria took a lot of lives that year, and it moves so fast – it was not your fault, my dear Harriet. You must not constantly blame yourself. It is I who was to blame, if anyone, by insisting that we finished off the orders before we went home. I know I seemed very uncaring. I beg your forgiveness, dear sister-in-law. And I regret I have not had it in my heart to say these words earlier. Mama often chastised me for not being more caring, and told me that one day I would realize how you felt. Well, I do now, after Luke’s brush with death.’ Isabelle hugged Harriet to her, as Danny and James looked on, thankful that at last the two women had spoken about exactly how they felt.

‘I thought you hated me for staying at home and looking after my children. I know the business was everything for Mama and you, but my children are my world, along with Danny.’ Harriet sobbed anew, looking into Isabelle’s tear-filled eyes.

‘I know, and Mama knew that too. I don’t hate you; we’ve just grown apart, which is truly a shame. From this day forward, let us get back to being friends. After all, Mama wished that to happen, and she left you part of the shares in Atkinson’s. Both she and I have never forgotten that without you we would never have been so successful.’ Isabelle looked up at her husband and urged James to back up her words.

‘All these tears. What are we to do, Danny?’ James looked over at a worried-looking Danny. ‘Put the past behind you, both of you, and let’s all look forward to a better future. I think that is what Danny and I hope for, as we love you both dearly.’