Daisy had begun teaching him some basic smithing skills and Margaret usually went in with him, Aunt Hatt being quite happy for her to leave the office by then. As if by a sixth sense, when she arrived Philip Tallis would usually appear and all of them would have tea together while Daisy bossily instructed Den. ‘No – don’t hold it like that. No – you have to hit it harder!’

That afternoon, when Margaret stepped out of the house with Daisy, they met Den hurrying along the street, his skinny form as usual swamped by his clothes.

This time, Philip Tallis appeared the moment they were in the house, soon followed by Mrs Flett, with tea and toasted crumpets. Margaret saw Den’s eyes widen with glee at this. Mrs Flett was a kinder soul than her grouchy exterior would have you believe.

‘Come on then,’ Philip Tallis said. ‘Tuck in. No good working on an empty stomach, is it?’

Den did exactly that, taking a buttered crumpet in each hand and cramming them into his mouth.

‘Slow down, you’ll choke!’ Daisy said, waving her crumpet in the air. ‘And it’s rude taking two at once, Den.’ Den carried on scoffing, unabashed. ‘Miss Hanson, will you come out with Pa and me again on Sunday? Please?’

Margaret laughed. ‘But I go to church on Sundays, Daisy.’ For the last two weeks she had appeased her conscience and gone faithfully to Carrs Lane with Annie.

‘But God won’t mind!’ Daisy reasoned. ‘God’s everywhere, isn’t He?’ Margaret was taken aback. Despite Daisy’s complete godlessness, which made her fear for the fate of the child’s soul, she could not really argue with this logic. ‘Please! Pa says you’re leaving by Christmas and there’s hardly any time left.’

Margaret felt a pang at this. It was true. They could not just stay here, endlessly, not making peace with their father, not resuming their normal lives. Mostly she was so busy that she pushed all thoughts of her father, of Charles’s letter and everything, out of her mind. But she knew she was going to have to think about it because there was very little time left of this other, new life.

‘Come this Sunday – please say you will,’ Daisy said. ‘You ask her, Pa – she’ll listen to you.’

Philip Tallis laughed and looked bashful. ‘Stop bullying the lady,’ he said. Margaret could see that he did not like to ask. He was very reserved, very careful with her. And neither of them had made any firm declarations about the future. There was so little opportunity ever to be alone that it was difficult to talk about anything unless it was in front of Daisy.

‘He wants you to,’ Daisy said. ‘I know he does. Don’t you, Pa?’