‘Eeh, lass, what about your ambitions to be a teacher? I was thinking you’d find that easier in London.’

‘Naw, that ain’t for the likes of us, Betsy. I knaw that now. And besides, I don’t think I can live without Patrick. We thought to marry next spring, just to put some time between Ma and Bill going, as it wouldn’t seem right to wed before then.’

‘Aw, I’m glad for you, but afraid for thee at the same time. Roford is threatening to harm you, to get at me.’

‘Just let him try. As you knaw, my Patrick’s built like a giant, and he wouldn’t think twice of taking his hunting rifle to the likes of Roford. Naw, lass, I’ll be safe as houses, and I’m looking forward to me new life. I can hand tenancy back on this house and, if you’re happy with me doing so, I can take most of the good bits to what’s going to be me new home in time.’

‘I’m more than happy with that, as I don’t think I’ll ever be back, and I can’t take them with me.’

‘Not ever? Oh, our Betsy, I can’t bear the thought of that. You’ll come to me wedding, won’t you?’

‘I’ll try. I’ve to get used to the idea yet, lass. The last you told me, you still had Patrick on trial. I knew nowt of all this farming business.’

‘I’m sorry, our lass, but you were in a state, and I didn’t want to let you think I was leaving you an’ all. I never would have, until you were all right.’

‘I knaw that, Ciss. Be happy, lass, and if I don’t come to your wedding it’s because I’d not be safe. And while I’m on, lass, there’s sommat else an’ all. Sommat ’as made my Bill do what he did. I’m having Roford’s babby.’

Ciss’s mouth dropped open, and expressions ranging from astonishment to horror crossed her face. Finally compassion won through and, with tears glistening in her eyes, she held out her arms.

Betsy went into them gladly, and the two sisters held on to each other as if for the last time. ‘We’ll get through this, lass. I’ve got Mags, and you’ve got your Patrick. And though I’ve been less than complimentary about him when he were drinking heavy, there’s not a nicer bloke when he’s sober, so you work on keeping him that way. Make him happy, give him plenty of young ’uns and you’ll jog along nicely together.’

‘Ha! Plenty of young ’uns – I don’t even knaw how you go about making them, let alone having them.’

This shocked Betsy, but then Ciss had her head in a book most of the time, and it was difficult to know what she’d grasped about what happens in the real world.

‘Well, I’ll make it me duty to instruct you – and right now, as I’ve to be ready for when Mags comes. And I’ve to get Rosie up out of her afternoon nap and the young ’uns from school yet. Now, our Ciss, it’s like this . . .’