I did not get much of a start to married life, and I am young yet and feel that I have much to give to the world. Do not think of me in anger, but rather think kindly that I have set off on my own journey. It may not be the life that you imagined for me, and I know that your first thoughts will be angry ones and bad tempers, but this is my life to live. I am headed to London and I shall write from there, once I have got myself organized. Pray, do not shout at one another over this or blame each other, for surely we have all had enough of that.

Your daughter, Maggie

I left the letter at that and did not add more words, despite the fact that it would cost me tuppence regardless, for I really just wanted them to know I was safe. I was embarrassed to say these things out loud, but the scribe had clearly heard far worse and simply wrote it all down, then read it back to me as I had another drink of wine. Oh, the wine tasted suddenly sour. My mouth watered, the way it does when I might be sick. Mibbie it was all too much. I could not even look at the scribe’s leftover gravy now.

‘Are you all right, Mistress?’ he asked, noticing my pallor. I nodded. ‘Often the writing of a letter can be a difficult thing. Usually I guide a person and give them a bit of advice on their message,’ he went on, considering the parchment with a furrowed brow. ‘But I see there is more of a back-story here than I would care to ask about.’ He glanced at me again. ‘Do you want to write to anyone else? I see you talk of married life here. I could write two letters to the same town – won’t cost you extra.’

I thought hard for a moment or two, swallowing back the sicky feeling, then nodded. He took out another piece of parchment and dipped his quill in his ink.

Dear Joan,

You have always had the better of me and I hope you are happy with the way things turned out, even if it broke my heart. But I shall tell you something. I shall make a success of my life. I shall show you that you were wrong about me, that I am not an idiot, nor good for nothing much. You might have won everyone’s affections, but they don’t know you like I know you. You shall never leave Fisherrow, but I am making my way in the world.

Maggie