‘Of course,’ he said, thrusting his hand into his pocket. He passed her a freshly pressed handkerchief, which she used to dab her nose. She pocketed it and continued. ‘Before my husband took the ill-fated train journey that led to his untimely death, he had been explaining some affairs of work to me. He told me there was a document to be drawn up by his lawyer that, in the case of his death, the mill would be taken over by Mr Clegg at Clegg Mills.’

‘What would he do that for?’ Alfred snapped.

‘My husband and Mr Clegg never saw eye to eye on many matters, as you know. There was that dreadful issue of the whale oil shipment. But they had become reconciled in friendship of late and that was the plan. My husband had been so distressed when his colleague Mr Grieg had died intestate aged only thirty-five, leaving his family destitute.’

‘Well, I don’t see how letting Clegg take us over would help any of us.’

‘That is exactly why I am here today, Alfred. And I am sorry to say it is worse.’ She bit her lip. ‘He also stipulated that Clegg’s manager, Bert Lawson, would take over as manager running both mills.’

He leapt to his feet . ‘So where would that leave me? Without a job? And me with another bairn on the way? Why did you not tell him he could not do that, Annie?’

‘Alfred, I tried, believe me I tried, but as you know my husband is – was – a stubborn man, and he simply would not listen.’

Alfred sat shaking his head in disbelief.

She waited then said, ‘I hope to speak to lawyers soon and shall petition on your behalf. I feel sure I can resolve this matter. If you could perhaps visit me at home one day?’

‘Any time, Annie, any time you say I will be there. Whatever you think you can do. I can’t lose my job with the new house, the bairns. And Bettie would kill me, she’s got all these airs and graces now and…’

Ann pulled on her kid gloves and stood up.

‘Meet me at the gate of my house on Monday, at nine in the morning. I should prefer if this was kept between ourselves, my servants need not know.’

‘All right, Annie. I’ll be there.’

She swept off down the stairs and back into the clamour of Dundee’s jute.

* * *

‘Sure you want to go this way?’

‘Yes, just drop me over there and wait, driver. Again, I shall only be some half an hour.’

Ann climbed the steps towards the house, inhaling the pipe smoke as she went. She rapped on the door.

It opened slowly and the same girl, Elspet, stood there, peering up at her with wide eyes.

‘Is Mattie in?’

‘Aye, come in, she’s been expecting you.’

‘Expecting me?’ She had made no arrangement.