‘I heard tell as that were being closed down.’

‘What?’

‘Aye, I were talking to a woman who works up at Roford mill, and she were saying they had a meeting with the Mr Roford as you’re about to marry. He told them they can get the idea of a welfare system out of their heads, as he won’t be setting one up and will be closing the one in his other mill – which we all took as being yours and your da’s mill. But happen as she heard it wrong, as you’d knaw about it, for sure.’

Fury burned through Mags, surpassing the embarrassment she felt. How dare Harold say such a thing, without consulting me or my father? Is this how it is going to be?

The answer, she knew, was ‘yes’ and a deep sadness vied with her anger. She had to accept that nothing about her beloved mill would be shared with her, and she would not be allowed to bring any influence to bear. But she did at least have her father on her side. He had promised to talk to her, and to use her decisions as if they were his own. But a sigh escaped her, as her father hadn’t been fully behind her idea of providing medical care on a free basis to all their employees, let alone extending it to their families, as she had hopes of doing in the future.

Well, she would fight this every step of the way. Even tackle Harold, if she had to. ‘I think, at this stage, it is probably an idea Mr Roford put forward for streamlining things at the mill, but that doesn’t make it a fact. I’ll look into it. Nonetheless, you will see a surgeon, I promise, Bill. But first we have to do something about that ulcer.’

‘It’ll have to be when I come back. I’m late, as it is.’

‘Look, I know Mr Hopkins’s store, so let me take you to the corner of his street. He won’t see that you’ve had a lift there.’

Bill agreed to this, which put Mags’s mind at rest. ‘I’ll wait for you there and bring you back here, and then we’ll begin treatment on that ulcer. Oh, don’t worry, I’ve cleaned out many ulcers in a much worse state than this one, and they’ve healed nicely, given time. Have you any lint in the house, Betsy?’

‘Aye, I’ve a biscuit tin full of stuff for cuts and burns, and the like – have to, with my lot. This is good of you, lass. I’ll come with you for the ride and keep you company while you wait for Bill.’

This pleased Mags, and she knew Betsy had come up with the idea to give them time alone. ‘What about little Rosie – is she having her morning nap?’

‘Naw, she’s passed that stage now, she’s going on four years old. She’s with me ma. Ma picked her up when she took the other two along to school, to give me a chance to get a bit done around the house. Eeh, I hope as the school don’t get stopped an’ all, as mine would have a fair trek to the church school, if it did.’