‘The ungrateful sod!’ Danny swore at the supper table and banged his cutlery down. ‘Buggering off without a “by your leave”. By, I should have listened to Isabelle.’ He scowled across at his father. ‘It was you who brought Ethan here, and now he’s buggered off to God knows where. I’ll go down to Windfell tomorrow and see if he’s trailed himself home.’

‘He’ll happen turn up. You know what he’s like.’ Archie seemed unperturbed by Ethan’s absence and carried on eating his supper.

‘Nay, he’ll not; he’s taken all his belongings with him, even the old straw mattress, and it is as if he was never with us. Are you sure he said nothing to you, our Rosie? You are looking a bit sheepish. You two have always been close.’ Danny shot a questioning glance at his rather quiet daughter, who looked white and upset.

‘No, he said nothing to me. I’m as shocked as you are.’ Rosie held back the tears as her father questioned her.

‘At least we’ve got hay-time over and done with. Plus, he couldn’t have slept above the stable this winter. I’d have had to find room for him here, or where the Irishmen have slept in the storeroom. I didn’t fancy having him sleeping under our roof. He’s such a wild one.’ Harriet rose from the table and looked at Rosie. ‘You’ll miss him no doubt – you look upset. He’s best gone, for perhaps you were both getting too close.’ She looked at her crestfallen daughter and then smiled. ‘I’ll have to make you a dress for the dances this coming winter, once I’m back at work. One to attract some lad from out of the village, seeing as you will be seventeen soon.’

‘Aye, one with brass. Not a black-haired gyppo, like Ethan. Make your father proud.’ Danny grinned at his daughter, teasing her.

‘I’m sorry, I have remembered that I need to feed Jip. I forgot earlier on.’ Rosie got up from the table; she had to hold back the tears until she got outside, for nobody must know her plight. She pushed her chair back and made her way quickly to the door.

‘Look what you’ve done now! Can’t you see she’s brokenhearted over Ethan not saying goodbye to her?’ Harriet shook her head over Danny’s lack of empathy.

‘It’s good riddance to bad rubbish.’ Danny said. ‘He’s best gone, if she was that fond of him.’

‘He’ll not be far. He’ll land back when he’s ready.’ Archie moved next to the fire. ‘He’s making the most of the last days of summer, if you ask me. And, as you say, he’d have said his farewells to Rosie, if nobody else, and you can tell she knew nowt.’