‘Because it’s all the fashion and rich ladies pay ridiculous money for exceptional needlework.’

It was late afternoon and Edith had a stew slowly cooking when Misha returned from the forge. He had been to the barber’s on the way back and his winter beard and his long hair were gone. A clean-shaven, handsome young man stood before her.

‘I’m going to ask Lena’s mother if we can be married as soon as we have a new priest.’

‘Has Lena agreed?’

‘She has,’ said Misha, smiling.

‘Then ask Lena and her mother to come to supper with us to celebrate.’

She heard him close the yard gate then went to her father’s room. She’d changed the sheets on the bed and had collected the empty bottles hidden under it when Misha came into the kitchen.

‘It’s no good,’ he said, furiously. ‘She called me an… an idiot… said she’d never let her daughter marry the village simpleton.’ He pushed his fists into his eyes and Edith could see the broken child in him again. ‘That’s what I am – that’s what I’ll always be. The dirt from the butcher’s boots.’

Edith pulled his hands away.

‘Misha,’ she said, ‘listen to me. Remember what Demetrius told you – you mustn’t let yourself be defined by the butcher’s word.’

‘I might as well have made the coffin for myself.’

‘Misha, would you put the dumplings in the stew and lay the table?’

‘Of course. I’m sorry.’

She put her arm round him. ‘It was no fool who thought to put the revolver in the butcher’s bedroom. Does Lena think you’re a fool?’

‘No.’

‘So, add the dumplings in five minutes.’

Lena’s mother opened the door a crack at Edith’s knock. Knowing she would close it again, Edith called, ‘Lena,’ and Lena, who had been in tears at what her mother had said to Misha, rushed down the stairs, pushed her mother out the way and put her arms round her friend.

‘I’ve come to invite you and your mother to supper,’ said Edith.

‘Lena’s going nowhere,’ said the widow. ‘She’s not having supper at your house while that lovesick idiot is there.’

Edith gazed at the widow and took her time. ‘You’ll regret this,’ she said slowly. ‘Your granddaughter will be born, and Lena and her husband won’t want you in their house. They won’t want their beautiful and clever daughter to ever hear that word. You’ll be alone here while your daughter and your son-in-law live a happy and prosperous life. And you’ll have a corrupt butcher to thank for your loneliness.’

‘How dare you speak to me like that? You are a disgrace! The way you came back into the village – I saw you – a heathen.’

‘Please, Mother,’ said Lena. She took Edith’s arm.

‘If you go… I wash my hands of you!’