Now, her uncle’s cruel remark had made her conscious of her bare shoulders and she wished that she had covered them with a lace capelet. She put her hand on the bannister, wondering whether she had time to go and find one, when she was startled by a loud banging on the front door.

‘Goodness me!’

‘Our guests appear keen to get out of that weather,’ said Uncle Walter, standing up and positioning himself beside the fireplace.

More pounding.

‘Hurry up, Harriet,’ said Uncle Walter.

As she opened the door, her hostess’s smile prepared, a young boy stepped back into the road. He was clutching the reins of a horse as sodden as he.

‘Uncle?’ Harriet called over her shoulder without taking her eyes off the youth. He swiped rain from his face.

‘I’m lookin’ for John Gunson,’ he said, without bothering to introduce himself. ‘He’s engineer for the waterworks. I know he lives in Division Street somewhere. I were given directions but I’ve lost me way somewhat.’ And then, as if to be certain she understood. ‘It’s urgent.’

‘What’s going on?’ Uncle Walter came up behind her and Harriet moved aside.

‘Sir, I’m reight sorry to bother thee. I’m after Gunson’s house.’

‘Yes, I heard that. Why d’you want him?’

Harriet knew Gunson was not on her uncle’s list of influential townsmen. Probably Walter was just being nosy. Harriet was curious herself.

‘Summat’s up at the new Bradfield reservoir and he needs to come an’ take a look at it.’

Harriet’s eyes widened. ‘At this time of night? And in this weather?’

‘There’s a crack in the dam.’ The lad looked uncertain. ‘A small crack only, but I’ve been sent.’

‘Is that an emergency?’ said Walter. He turned to Harriet and raised his eyebrow.

The boy frowned. ‘Well, they’re sayin’ it’s safe enough, all them up there that are standin’ about in a howling gale starin’ at it. But Mr Gunson is needed right away, sir. There’s a giant lake back o’ that dam.’

‘Oh dear,’ Harriet said. ‘Is there any danger?’

‘Nothing we need worry about,’ said Walter. ‘Dale Dyke’s a good eight miles distant. You’ve ridden all that way tonight?’

The boy frowned. ‘Well, aye. I have.’

‘You’ll find your engineer in Division Street. He lives near the waterworks premises.’

‘Yes,’ the boy said patiently. ‘I know that. I got given that. I’ve just lost me bearings a bit.’

‘You’ve a way to go, yet,’ said Harriet. ‘Do you know where the town hall is?’

‘No, I’ve never ’ad cause to come into the town before.’

‘Oh. Well, turn right at the end of this road, then your first left and that will put you on the main road which you follow to Netherthorpe and then, and then I would stop and ask again.’

‘I thank thee, miss…’

‘Yes, try those directions,’ said Walter, briskly. A gig had come up and stopped a little way off. Presently, there would be a queue. ‘Off you go, then.’ Uncle Walter retreated into the depths of the house. He could not be seen to greet his own guests on the doorstep.