As they drew level, Esther shook her fist. ‘Keep him away from my girl, Beth Eland. Keep ya bastard away. If ya don’t . . .’ She paused to drag in a painful, heaving breath. There was menace in her tone as she added more quietly, ‘If ya don’t – I’ll see he knows the reason why!’

Six

The day she had been dreading had arrived.

The summer had passed all too quickly and already it was September. ‘I’ll miss the Harvest Festival and the Harvest Supper at the Grange.’ All her protests were in vain. Her mother was adamant and there was nothing Kate, nor her stepfather, could do about it. Esther Godfrey remained inflexible even in the face of her own father’s wrath. From the kitchen Kate had listened as Will Benson had stood in the doorway of the pantry, whilst Esther churned the butter.

‘The city’s no place for that lass,’ he had railed. ‘She’ll be miserable . . .’

‘She will be if you keep putting the idea into her head,’ her mother had snapped back.

‘But, Esther . . .’

‘No “buts”, Dad. Kate’s going to boarding school for a couple of years and that’s that.’ The handle of the barrel churn flew round under Esther’s angry hand, until they could hear the flip-flop of the thickening butter.

‘Huh.’ Will Benson turned away from the pantry door. ‘Well, I reckon ya’ll regret it, lass. Dun’t say Ah didn’t warn ya.’

‘I won’t,’ Esther said, grimly determined.

Coming back through the kitchen Will took hold of Kate’s arm and led her out into the yard. ‘Come and see me off,’ he whispered. When they were outside he stood before her and put his hands on her shoulders, looking down at her with what looked suspiciously like tears glistening in his eyes.

‘Katie love, there’s nowt more Ah can do.’

Kate shook her head sadly. ‘Dun’t worry, Grandad. You tried.’

‘Now listen to me, lass. The village where I live – Suddaby – you know it, dun’t ya?’

Kate nodded.

‘Well, it’s between here and Lincoln. If ever you need help, you send me word and I’ll come to ya.’ He gave her a gentle shake as if to emphasize his words. ‘Remember now, won’t ya?’

Kate looked up at his worried face, feeling suddenly the older of the two, as if it were her grandfather who needed the reassurance that she would be all right. She forced a smile to her mouth and said as brightly as she could manage. ‘I’ll remember, Grandad. Dun’t you worry. Mebbe me mam’s right and I’ll love it when I get there.’

They were brave words but there had been a hollow ring to her feigned confidence.

Now it was the morning she must go.