‘Mm …’ Ellen opened the window of their room to let in some fresh air. ‘I’m off out with Ed in a minute, when I’ve got changed. We’re just going for a walk and a packed tea. Do you want to come?’

‘No fear,’ said Gina. ‘I’m not playing gooseberry to you two.’

‘Don’t be daft.’ Ellen changed out of her shirt and breeches and put on a cotton frock, first time on this year. It looked shorter and was definitely tighter than it had been on its last outing, and somehow the fabric had faded on top of the skirt gathers since she’d put it away in September. Strange how clothes changed when you didn’t wear them for a while. Sometimes they came out looking better; mostly they were worse.

‘What do you think of this? Does it look too tight?’

‘A bit,’ said Gina.

‘Ah, well, it’ll have to do. I’ve nowt else and I only wanted summat cool to wear. It’s been hot today, potting up seedlings. How did you get on “popping over to the Hall to exercise Coco”?’

Gina rolled her eyes; the joke had lost its sting with frequent repetition. Instead of answering she asked, ‘What do you think about Mrs Thwaite?’

‘I don’t have owt to do with her really. She’s all right whenever I do see her, though. Why?’

‘Nowt … Just wondered.’

‘I know she takes her books to the mobile library, same as me and Uncle Tom. We met her on her way back. Mr Shepherd – you know, the old librarian who’s always so friendly – he wasn’t there. He’s always been there before now. Funny that Mrs Thwaite didn’t mention it when we met her.’

‘Mebbe she doesn’t get on with Mr Shepherd.’

‘No, Mr Shepherd gets on with everyone. Uncle Tom’s going to try to find out what’s happened. What if he’s ill? Folk in Little Grindle would want to do what they could for him.’

‘Nell, I’ve really no idea,’ said Gina.

Ellen took her brush through her hair and tied it back with her home-made blue scarf knotted in a bow above her ear. ‘Right, I’m off to the farm. See you later.’

Gina listened to her sister’s feet descending the stairs, then Ellen was saying something Gina couldn’t hear to Dora, and then there was the sound of the back door closing.