As we leave Doctor Belcome’s and head back to the hotel, Miss Walker seems more relaxed and talks of what we shall do over the next few days. No rushing back home to Crow Nest, then!

I know I must be delicate and I gently discuss his advice with her; some travel, a warmer climate, companionship. I suggest perhaps she may consider moving into Shibden again, so that we can be together all the time. She surprises me by agreeing. I wonder if Doctor Belcome suggested something similar and so now she will give it good consideration. Heaven forbid I should have advised it for several months now!

During our walks and shopping we choose a new dinner service we could buy between us. Something finer than either of us would choose alone, for if we pay half the costs each, we can buy the finest on offer. We decide not to buy it immediately, but she likes this idea of buying together nonetheless and goes so far as to suggest we go half each on a new bed for Shibden. I agree, more because she seems keen than for want of a new bed. It seems Doctor Belcome suggested a new bed to help her back. Whatever makes her happy, I shall agree to.

I rather like the idea of a joint household, and the thought of never worrying about finances again makes me feel excited for the future. When travelling, I am happy with an inn and a clean bed without lice, but Miss Walker’s standards are higher, and I could grow accustomed to that as much as I have grown accustomed to her.

We talk of what she will busy herself with once we return to Halifax, as if going home after these few days will be a new start for her, as if being told she is not insane has released her from any obligation to act so. I encourage her to take up French again in preparation for a trip to France in summer and she agrees, and so seems set on my proposal to travel.

We buy each other gifts. I select her some music to play, something simple but beautiful and she promises she will learn it. Later that evening she tells me she will work towards a recital and invite some guests and that she will wear no drawers under her dress, just for me! York seems to have lifted Miss Walker nearer to my estimation of her. I wonder if it is her proximity to Crow Nest that drains her? Although I should not hark on about moving into Shibden for fear of pressuring her, I think it will be the best thing for both of us.

We call into several of the churches in York and she chooses a small one, Holy Trinity, as her favourite; tucked behind houses through a narrow brick path. Much like our Moss House, it is hidden from sight.