Minutes later, he appeared from the shop with a bag. He took out a brown woolen flat cap, then put it on to model it for the girls. “What do you think?”

“Smart!” Prue remarked.

Agapantha smiled. “It suits you.”

He tipped his cap to them and they all laughed, then he put it back in the bag. “Are you two sure you wouldn’t rather buy a fancy hat?”

Prue shook her head. “Sweet treats win for me, Ed.”

They headed on through the weekend crowds, along Pickwick and towards Medlock Fudge & Co.

“Isn’t that Finblewick?” Agapantha said as he hurried past them in the street, ignoring them.

“Nice to see you again too,” Prue called after him.

“It’s like he’d never met us,” said Agapantha.

Prue watched as he disappeared from sight. “Is it me, or did he look like he was up to something?”

Edwin glanced up at her. “I think it’s just his face. I mean, he does look a bit peculiar.”

“I can’t imagine why they designed him to look like that?” said Agapantha.

Prue shrugged. “He must be an early model, perhaps when someone was learning.”

They reached Medlock Fudge & Co and stood open-mouthed, gaping at the glistening jars filled with candy twists, marzipan, jelly cogs, clove rocks, marshmallows, pear drops, coconut ice, liquorice, toffee, bonbons, chocolate limes and at least twenty flavours of fudge – ten times the choice of Peck’s Supplies in North Owlcot.

They were about to go through the open doorway when they heard a voice from inside. “Cora, you will do as you’re told.”

Prue, Agapantha and Edwin looked between each other, surprised.

Cora stepped outside. “Oh, it’s you,” she said in a bored tone.

Behind her was a woman and man with the same dark eyebrows as hers and Larkin, immaculately dressed in highly-tailored outfits with a lavish mix of silk and suede.

“Cora, aren’t you going to introduce us?” said Mrs Duval.

“These are apprentices at the Guild too,” said Larkin.

“Cora, be polite,” Mr Duval urged.

“This is Agapantha Young,” said Cora.

Mrs Duval lifted her chin. “The Youngs of Medlock?”

Agapantha nodded. Mrs and Mr Duval shook her hand in turn.

“They’ve been away working with the MMD in Gawthorpe, haven’t they?” said Mrs Duval.

“Yes.”

“Be sure to tell your parents to visit us when they’re back in town.”

They turned to Prue.

“This is Frances Haywood,” said Cora. “She’s from a farm miles away, somewhere like Near Ollet?” said Cora.

“North Owlcot,” Prue corrected.

“A farm worker?” Mrs Duval said, looking at Cora in disbelief.

“How … interesting,” said Mr Duval. Neither of them moved to shake her hand.

“Edwin is an apprentice too,” Prue said challengingly.