Esther drew in a sharp breath through her teeth and held it. Then slowly, as she continued to watch, she released her breath. It had been a statement made in childish innocence, but for a moment it had startled her. What was it Ma Harris was always saying? ‘Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings!’

At that instant, Kate turned and saw her mother watching them. Esther saw a look of fear flit across her daughter’s face, as if she expected to be in trouble for having brought Danny to see her father in this pitiable state.

Esther smiled quickly to show that she was not angry. ‘Hello, Danny. You’re just the chap I need to give me a hand.’

Kate was not to know of the connection between Danny and Matthew. If Esther had her way, Kate would never know.

The young boy turned to grin up at Esther, puffing out his thin chest importantly.

‘I need to carry this garden seat around and put it near the pond,’ she explained. ‘Now the weather’s better, it’s a nicer place for Mr Hilton to sit.’

‘I’ll ’elp you carry it, missus,’ Danny said, taking charge. Turning back he leant towards Matthew with a gesture of solicitude that was strangely touching in one so young. Watching, Esther marvelled that the boy, instead of ignoring the sick man and directing his questions to Esther to answer for her husband as so many of the adults had done, actually addressed Matthew.

‘Can you stand up, mester? Lean on my shoulder . . .’ and as Matthew struggled to his feet, ‘that’s it, lean on me. Kate, fetch us a chair out of the house for yar dad to sit on whilst we move the bench.’

Kate, ever Danny’s willing slave, scuttled off to do his bidding.

Esther stood by as Matthew shuffled across the yard, his hand on the boy’s shoulder. She wondered if Matthew had realized who Danny was. It was difficult to guess just how aware he was, for although he made sounds sometimes, since those first words of greeting in the hospital when he had imagined her to be Beth he had not uttered a word. She had no idea if he understood what was being said to him or if he recognized the people around him, even those he had known all his life.

Danny settled Matthew into the chair which Kate had brought out and then, with Esther lifting one end and Danny the other, they carried the bench seat to a place beside the pond.

‘There, that’s better. Now there’s something for you to look at, Matthew. The willow tree and look, there’s still a few snowdrops round the pond and soon there’ll be the crocuses and daffs.’