‘Well, you must do as you feel’s right, love. But you don’t have to sacrifice your whole life, you know. Everyone deserves to be happy, and I fear if you were still together he’d be kicking you when you were down.’

Dora looked shocked, though she knew Audrey spoke the truth.

‘And don’t forget Tom deserves to be happy, too,’ Audrey added for good measure. ‘Now, let’s have a look at your sitting room, Dora. Come on, Polly, and don’t touch anything.’

‘Would you like a cup of tea, Audrey, and summat for the little ’uns? I’ve dandelion and burdock.’

‘No, thank you, Dora. I’ll just have a quick admire of your handiwork and then get these babes out of your way before you’re mopping off sticky fingermarks. I said don’t touch, Polly …’

Audrey Mason stayed to admire the pale colours on the walls upstairs and down, and the floral curtains, ‘a bit like Mrs Stellion’s bedroom,’ confided Dora, ‘but less flowery, like, and made of remnants from the market, of course.’

‘You’ve a real talent, lass,’ said Mrs Mason as she left, stowing all three infants into an enormous, well-sprung but shabby pram that resembled a small boat in shape.

Dora waved them off down the lane and then noticed Ellen approaching at a distance, walking slowly with Edward, their arms wrapped around each other. He made a habit these days of meeting her in the village after she and Sally had been to Great Grindle to see Mr Shepherd. Edward was saying something, and Ellen looked up into his face and laughed as he pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. They stopped to greet Mrs Mason and the children.

Dora watched, smiling. That’s what she wanted for her darling Nellie: a fine man who adored her, to love and protect her, and who Nell loved in return; a life of laughing together; and maybe, eventually, a pramful of beautiful babies. What more could a woman want?

It seemed that Nell might have found the right man to share her life. Dora hoped so.

And what of Gina? She worried about her younger daughter, who could be so naughty and wayward. What Gina needed was a good fella to keep her on the straight and narrow. Dora hoped it wouldn’t be long before she found such a man.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ELLEN WATCHED ED until he reached the turn in the lane and was out of sight. Such a dear man, so gentle and kind, always considerate about how they spent their time together, always meeting her if she was out without him, and walking her home. Today he’d been full of news about his Herdwick lambs being born. She loved to hear him talking about the farm and all his plans for it. He was so cheerful, so full of hope for the future, despite being a farmer!