Ma nodded sagely towards Esther’s stomach. ‘Ya’ve one in there, me lass. Ah can tell.’

‘Don’t – don’t say anything, will ya?’

Ma’s knowing eyes narrowed. ‘Not telled him yet?’ she murmured.

Esther shrugged evasively. ‘Well, I didn’t want to until I was sure.’

‘Aye, all right, lass. I’ll say nowt.’ A look of concern crossed the older woman’s face. ‘But are you all right, lass? Ya took a nasty knock last night. Ya’ve no pains, a’ ya?’

Esther shook her head and managed a thin smile. ‘No, Ma, I’m fine. Really. I’m tough as owd boots!’

Ma Harris nodded, satisfied.

As swiftly as it had come the snow melted and a wintry sun and a sharp breeze seemed to do their best to dry out the land. Nevertheless the ploughing was still way behind until the day that Matthew came home triumphantly leading a pair of heavy horses.

‘They’re getting on a bit. Fourteen they are, but there’s four or five good years left in ’em yet. The chap said he’d got some young ’uns broken in, but he didn’t want to split this pair up. Been together years, they have.’

The horses stood patiently in the yard, submitting themselves to Esther’s scrutiny. Their chestnut coats shone and the flaxen socks gleamed. ‘They’re lovely,’ Esther said, smiling and patting their necks. ‘Have they got names?’

‘This one with the little white mark just below his forelock is Prince and t’other’s Punch,’ Matthew told her. ‘Ya know what, Esther? I can’t hardly believe it mesen. The chap as sold ’em to me said Tom ’ad told him all about us. About you and Sam Brumby, and us getting wed . . .’ His eyes flickered away a moment, but the excitement of the moment was too great to allow even his bitterness to spoil it. ‘An’ he said he liked to hear of youngsters working hard and having a go and he wished us well and said we could have a month or two to pay for the ’osses. I give him half as a payment now and . . .’

‘I don’t like owing anyone money, Matthew,’ Esther said firmly, adopting her determined pose; hands on hips, feet planted apart. She saw Matthew look at her, saw his glance falter and flicker away.

‘But—’

‘Ya’ll take the young pigs to market this week and tek the man his money as soon as you get it.’

Matthew’s face darkened. ‘Dun’t mek a fool out o’ me, woman.’

Esther’s own eyes sparked with anger. ‘No need for me to do that, Matthew Hilton, ya make a good job of that ya’sen.’ They glowered at each other.