‘Eeh, that’d be grand, as many a bairn has died through their family not being able to afford a doctor.’

‘Oh no! Oh, Betsy, I didn’t realize. Why didn’t they appeal to my mother? She would have helped.’

‘Pride. Aye, we’re a proud lot, us working-class northerners. Our menfolk are against handouts. They fight for their dues, but baulk at taking owt they perceive as charity.’

‘Well, we will have to make sure that what we put in place is not looked upon in that way, but is viewed as it should be – as the right of every man to have access to medical help when he or his family need it. What’s the best way for us to do that, Betsy?’

‘I could say by stopping a bob from their wages each week to pay for it, but that’d cause more hardship than benefit, so write it into the conditions of their work. Make it one of their rights. That should do it. By, lass, I don’t mean to talk out of turn, but perhaps you’d be best to sort it afore your man takes over, as he might not agree to it.’

This stung Mags into realizing how she was about to lose the power to make such decisions. But she also knew that what Betsy said was true. ‘Well, we’d better get on with it then. I will need to draw up new “terms of working” and get them into force very quickly, as Mr Roford is due to take over soon after Christmas.’

As Betsy left the office, the sound of the machinery below as it spun the cotton amplified, making a noise not dissimilar to a train hurtling through a station and evoking in Mags a mixture of feelings.

It would be good to have Betsy’s continued support and friendship, though something told her Harold might not approve. A deep sigh released itself from within her. Just how many concessions am I to going to have to make, to keep Harold happy? But she brushed this thought away as it was replaced by a heat that flushed through her at the new thought that overcame her – yes, sacrifices had to be made, but how worthwhile they would be, to know the loving side of Harold on a daily basis. Mags drew in a deep breath. Yes, if I can keep Harold happy, I will enrich our life together.

The interview with Mrs Potts, the housekeeper, had gone well. She was more than willing to take up her planned retirement earlier than she had expected to, and welcomed the gift of her cottage free for life and the pension she would receive. ‘I’ll still keep me eye on things for a while for you, Miss Margaret. That Betsy Bainwright is a good ’un, but she don’t know the ropes of running a place like this. If she’s a willing learner, I’ll come in for a few hours a week to guide her.’

‘That’s very generous of you, Mrs Potts, thank you. And I hope you will help me, too, in the work I intend to do in the community. I know that I need to tread delicately and not upset the egos of the menfolk. Sadly, my mother didn’t have much chance to show me those skills.’