After her telling, Ciss’s eyes were open wide and a giggle came from her that didn’t hold repulsion, but expectation.

‘So you’re in for sommat good, our lass, as long as your Patrick knaws how to go on, and most men do.’

‘Well, if he don’t, we’ll learn. For all his appearance, he’s a gentle soul and he listens to what I have to say. I feel like I’m a treasured possession of his, and he wouldn’t want to lose me for the world. That’s what I use to keep him from the door of the pub.’

They hugged again, and Ciss offered to run and fetch the children while Betsy finished up and got Rosie ready. She promised she would take the bag that Betsy had got ready for her and go straight to Farmer Dilly’s house and stay there from tonight, only coming back with Patrick and the cart to get what they needed. ‘The rest I’ll ask Farmer Dilly if we can store in one of the barns that he don’t use, as you never know when one of us might need it.’

When Mags arrived, Betsy was ready. As was Ciss, because Patrick drew up at the same time as Mags. Ciss had sent the neighbour’s lad with a message telling him to come urgently. He couldn’t have come any quicker if he’d tried.

The sisters held on to one another as if they would never let go. When Betsy finally came out of Ciss’s arms, she looked up at the huge, handsome Patrick. ‘Take care of her, Pat, and look out for her. Ciss’ll tell you all about it, but she ain’t safe down here.’

‘It is that I haven’t an inkling of what you mean, or what has happened that you have to flee like this. But you be resting your heart, Betsy, ’cause I’m for loving the bones of Ciss, and no one will be at hurting her while I draw breath.’

Betsy smiled up at him, and the part of her heart that Ciss occupied did rest easy. A sigh of relief left her as she turned to get into Dr Lange’s car. ‘I’ll write, Ciss. Just as soon as I’m settled, I’ll write.’

Tears ran down Ciss’s face, but Betsy saw a big, strong arm go round her and knew that while this parting was painful, it was for the best, where Ciss was concerned.

‘Ma. Where we going, Ma? I want Aunty Ciss.’

‘Now, Daisy lass, you being the eldest, you should be looking out for your sisters, not frightening and upsetting them.’

Daisy might be the eldest, but she was timid. Florrie was of a different mettle. ‘I like it in this car, Ma. Come on, Daisy, Ma said we’re going on an adventure. I’ve allus wanted to go on one of them. We’ll see Aunty Ciss soon, won’t we, Ma?’

‘Aye, we will.’ But as Betsy said this, she wondered if they would, and was glad when Mags got their attention.