‘Aye, that we do. I’m getting a bit fed up of walking on eggshells. Especially now we’ve got my father living with us, for he’s a liability in his own right. He forgets that I’ve been farming Crummock for nearly twenty-four years without his help every day. And I don’t know why Archie has decided he wants Ethan to work for us, as I’ve hardly any work for him. Although he will come in handy, come hay-time,’ said Danny.

‘I enjoy having your father living with us,’ Harriet sniffed. ‘He’s good with the children. Ben loves him, and Rosie won’t have a bad word said about him. And as for bringing Ethan with him, well, he’s no trouble. I hardly ever see him.’

‘I’m sorry Archie has burdened you with Ethan. That’s the trouble with him: you don’t ever see Ethan, and he was never to be found when there was work to be done here. My mother was too easy on him, because she had always held his father in great esteem. And Ethan helps himself to trout out of the river and the odd rabbit or two. I just don’t know why Father took him up to Crummock.’ Isabelle looked over at James.

‘Probably because he cares about Ethan and feels liable for his welfare, my dear. Especially as he saved our Luke’s life,’ James added quickly.

‘Well, if I were you, Danny, I’d keep an eye on him. But let us forget about Ethan for the moment because the family is more important. My dear Harriet, let us put our differences aside and get back to being the friends we were, all those years ago. We don’t have dear Mama as our buffer any more, and I would so like us to be there for one another.’ Isabelle looked at Harriet with pleading eyes, meaning every word she said. She needed her sister-in-law, and especially her knowledge of the business. Jane would take years of training, but Harriet knew everything about the trade and would be an asset to the firm, if she could get her interested in it again. ‘Come and have afternoon tea in Atkinson’s next week with the children and see our new designs – they are stunning this year.’

‘I’d like that. Rosie would, too.’ Harriet smiled and cast her mind back to the fitting and cutting room, which she had enjoyed working in, until the fateful day when her life had stopped.

‘Is Wednesday alright with you? James can take the children’s photographs while you visit me. Can’t you, James?’ Isabelle smiled.

‘Certainly, my dear. Dress them up in their Sunday finery and I’ll do my very best.’ James grinned across at Harriet, knowing full well that his wife was sweet-talking Harriet back into the firm.