‘Put that blasted lantern down an’ mind ’ee don’t kick over mine,’ she hissed. ‘I know the Downs well enough but I don’t fancy walkin’ back in the dark, there’s always one soddin’ great boulder you ferget. And what are ’ee lookin’ about fer, we’m a long way from that damned buildin’ goin’ up, there’s no one ’ere to go on about ’ee bein’ saved.’

When Jack didn’t move, Heather gave a loud exasperated sigh. ‘You gonna stand there like a spare un at a weddin’ all ruddy night? Tes too bloody cold to ’ang about in, you’ll ’ave un freezin’ off!’ she ended with a salacious laugh. She sat down on the cloak and straightened out its edges.

Jack looked about one more time and quickly joined her, carefully putting his spluttering lantern next to hers. He was relieved the meagre light didn’t allow scrutiny of the colour burning his neck and cheeks. He was wearing the fine linen shirt Ruth and Esther King had made for him last Christmas. Heather tore it at the neck as she yanked the front open.

Jack told himself not to panic. He had not looked for this, but clearly his time had come. Heather wanted to see what he was made of. It was a good job he had some experience. Well, he thought he had.

Several months ago, after drinking too much mead and ale on a feast day, he’d met up with Bartholomew Drannock, Paul King and some other young bloods of the parish. All except Bartholomew and Paul had drifted away and they suggested a walk along the cliff top to Painted Bessie’s kiddleywink. Inside the ramshackle ale house the two fishermen plied Jack with cheap gin and the next thing Jack knew was that they were leaving the kiddleywink in the company of three females of dubious character. Unused to liquor, Jack was barely able to follow them but they hadn’t gone far.

Up on the cliff top above the sound of the raging surf, Jack had listened enviously as Bartholomew and Paul enjoyed the charms of their women. He had very little recollection of what happened with his own companion before he blacked out, but when he opened his eyes to the accompaniment of a blinding headache Bartholomew and Paul assured him that he had lost his boyhood innocence and exercised his full manly abilities. Jack still couldn’t be sure it was true.

With Heather pressing up against him, Jack was getting very excited. They kissed long and enthusiastically. He wished he could remember what had happened with the woman outside Painted Bessie’s, then he would know how to proceed.