As she went to and fro between the kitchen and the scullery clearing away the pots after dinner, Sam settled himself in the chair by the range for his Sunday afternoon nap.

‘Matthew says North Marsh Field is frozen solid. He’s tekin’ me skating,’ Esther told him.

Sam’s only reply was a sniff as he pulled his pipe from his pocket, but a short time later, when she had finished the washing-up and was reaching for her shawl from the peg behind the door, Sam said, ‘Wench, watch ya’sen with that lad.’

Slowly she put her shawl about her shoulders and stared at Sam. It didn’t register for a moment that Sam was warning her about Matthew. It was the first time the old man had shown the least concern for her. Strangely, the knowledge warmed her.

‘Aye, I’ll mind him, Mester Brumby,’ she said gently.

Satisfied, Sam nodded and, stretching his feet out towards the glowing coals in the range, went back to packing his pipe.

When they reached the field it seemed to Esther as if half the townsfolk of Lynthorpe were there. Happy shrieks of laughter filled the sharp air.

Esther clutched Matthew’s arm, convulsed with laughter. ‘Oh, look – do look at her over there, she went a right cropper – and her petticoats flying!’

Matthew laughed, ‘Look at him, then, he can’t control his feet, they’re sliding in all directions!’ They clung together hooting with laughter.

‘Oh, Matthew,’ Esther said at last, tears running down her cheeks, ‘I don’t think I want to try this after all. I’ll only mek a fool of mesen.’

‘It’s much more fun watching everybody else do that . . .’ His voice trailed away, and she felt his arm stiffen under her touch. She glanced up at his face to see his lips pressed together into a hard line of anger. A frown creased his forehead and she followed the line of his gaze across the frozen surface to a couple skating slowly and sedately around the far side.

It was Beth and Robert Eland. He held Beth’s hand with his left, whilst his right arm was around her plump waist to steady her.

As the couple passed close by them, Matthew slipped his arm around Esther’s waist. ‘Come on, Esther. Let’s give it a try.’ Without waiting for her to agree he propelled her forward on to the ice.