Thankfully, after ten long months a letter arrives, which, although bad news, draws me from my stalemate and forces my next move. Marian’s letter had been sent ten days before. Aunt is ill and I should return. I need no excuse and suddenly fall to action, and within the day I am on the coach heading back to the port. It will be a long journey home but at least I am heading somewhere, even though it is backwards. I am moving again and the journey and worry for my aunt occupy my mind. After all, in my present lonely state of mind, I might as well try to make a life for myself back in Shibden rather than be stuck in a rut here.

Miss Walker

We part with sorrow; all I want is for her to come with me, more than anything in the world, but she cannot leave him. She says she will try to visit often with the children, without him. Crow Nest will be our sanctuary. I have the address of a close friend of hers whom she visits each week to whom I can send more personal letters, and she will post me letters from Elizabeth without Sutherland reading them first. We can write freely again at least.

I cry and cry and thank God that he isn’t here to see it. I leave when he is away as he may object to seeing his children’s inheritance leave when he thought he had gained control over the entire Walker clan.

I cry all the long journey home, thinking of how it could have been, the sorrow of being away from her, the children and what she endures. But she is right. I should go home again to Crow Nest and try to make some life for myself there.

Miss Lister

I arrive back in December, just before Christmas. They are surprised to see me and after all my worrying and weeks at sea in stormy weather, my aunt is as fit as a fiddle. Marian apologises profusely – her second letter of reassurance must have missed me, but never mind, I am quite glad to be home. I remember last year’s Christmas and wonder how a whole year could have passed and here we all are again, reunited. I take my usual tour of the grounds to see what has changed in these months of absence when I see someone in the distance walking towards Shibden. I know who it is straight away. Miss Walker.

Miss Walker