‘I need something to keep me occupied – I mean really occupied. Just helping you out and doing the books doesn’t do that. I promise that we will see a lot of each other and be in contact all the time.’

‘Aye, we will, that’s for sure. I’m sad – I can’t pretend I’m not – but I feel it is the reet thing for you, lass. I don’t think you’ll ever rest until you restore your father’s pride in Blackburn. And what you’ve done for me lasses and for Billy, well, I can never thank you enough. Here, give me a hug.’

‘And I’ve to thank you as well, Mags, for giving Sibbie her rightful inheritance, with her half-brother. There was no way they could ever benefit without you from anything their father owned, as Harold never recognized Sibbie and didn’t know about Billy.’

‘Come here, we’ll have a group hug,’ Mags suggested, ‘as it seems our immediate futures are settled. How mine will pan out, I don’t know. I only know that I must try. But before I begin that task, and while everything is going through, and it can take a while, first I am going to France. I’m going to see Flors.’

‘Eeh, at last. Aw, I’m pleased for you.’ They had come out of the hug, and Betsy had busied herself putting the kettle on. ‘By, lass, you’ve wanted to do that this good while. Well, you go, lass, and enjoy every minute. Everything can be put on hold for you for a time.’

‘Well, not too long. I do have to move quickly on the mill, before it goes under, but I was able to persuade the bank not to pull the rug from under it. And I have asked my solicitors to negotiate with the creditors to accept half-payments until my estate is all sorted out. If they do that, everything can be left to tick over as it is, until I am back from France. I really need a break.’

Beth stirred gently in her pram and let out a wail, as if on cue.

‘Eeh, that one lets you know what she wants – she takes after you, Mags: determined, and strong-willed, yet with a loving streak that melts your heart.’

‘Ha, that’s what I am like, is it? Well, both my determination and my strength have regularly let me down. I hope they never let my Beth down, too. Not that they will, if I can help it. I am going to give Beth what my mother gave me, but allow her to make her own choices, not follow the way my father steered me into his business as if I was a son. That scared away all the likely suitors I might have had.’

‘Eeh, it’s water under the bridge now, all of it. You have your good memories, as we all do. Look at us? Three widows, but we have a thriving business, a family to be proud of and future prospects to look forward to. Not bad in this day and age, I’d say.’