‘Yes,’ he agreed. And though that was all he said, by the tone of it, she knew he understood what she meant. ‘We’ll cross now,’ he added.

They were soon home. Mr Carson said his goodbyes and headed cheerfully into the night. Margaret was about to do the same and began saying her thank yous, when Philip Tallis stopped her.

‘Just one moment.’ He opened the front door. ‘In you go, Daisy – scoot up to bed quickly now, it’s late.’

‘Goodnight, Pa, goodnight, Miss Hanson!’ Daisy said and disappeared inside.

Once more they were out on the front step. The street was mostly quiet, except for Mr Carson’s receding footsteps.

‘Margaret,’ Philip Tallis said. She could not see his expression but he sounded nervous. He stopped.

‘Yes?’ Her heart kept up a thump, thump that she was suddenly aware of, as if everything, its sound and feeling, were suddenly exaggerated.

To her surprise, she heard him let out a sharp sigh.

‘You’re so young. How old are you?’

‘I’m nineteen,’ she said. ‘Twenty in February.’

‘Well, I’m thirty-four.’

She was not sure what to make of this. ‘That’s not so very old,’ she said, unsure how else to reply. There was a moment’s silence, before she heard him say, very quietly, ‘Do you think it’s too old for you?’ Before she could set this straight in her mind he had stepped towards her and said stiffly, almost angrily, ‘Heaven help me, I’m a fool. But you’ve . . .’ It came out in a rush. ‘You’ve disturbed my heart, woman, that you have.’

He was close, a looming shadow in front of her. Her body was palpitating as the blood pumped round it so hard she thought he must hear it. She must say something. I’ll love you . . . I can love . . . No, not that – that sounded ridiculous.

‘And . . .’ she managed.

His hand came to her chin, very gently, tilting her face up to look at him through the darkness.

‘Have I spoken out of turn?’ he said humbly. ‘I can’t stand the thought of you going.’

She shook her head. ‘I was trying to say . . .’ She swallowed. Was it safe? Was he safe? Hadn’t Charles seemed safe? But this was now – she must take this moment, the way she must let beauty and all it implied into her life. And what she meant to say was, You have disturbed my heart too. Every time I see you or I am close to you, you disturb me with tenderness. But what she said was, ‘You’re beautiful.’

She heard a faint sound come from him, a chuckle, no, a sob.

‘Beautiful,’ he said. His voice was choked with emotion. ‘Well, I’ve never been called that before, you lovely, lovely girl.’