to have that gauze covering my blouse. If Ferret Fenton’s nose got any closer I’d have smacked it.’ Emily eyed her sharply.
‘Don’t you let him take no liberties, maid.’
‘I won’t, don’t you worry, though he gets so close I can smell him. It gives me the shivers.’ Emily looked thoughtful for a moment.
‘Yer grandmother used to hum a tune if a person she didn’t like got too near. She said it cast a ring of protection round her.’
‘You’re right, she did,’ Colenso exclaimed, remembering how she used to do that when Father was pontificating. ‘I’ll try it. My singing’s that bad it will send anyone fleeing to the moors anyway,’ she grinned.
‘Well, there yer are, then,’ Emily chuckled.
‘Would it be all right if I finish early this afternoon? I promise to come in again tomorrow. Kitto didn’t turn up for our meeting the other evening and then Father banned me from leaving the cottage. I need to tell him about yesterday before he hears it from someone else. You know what Father’s like once he’s had a drink. He’ll have exaggerated everything out of proportion and I don’t want Kitto getting the wrong idea.’ Emily nodded.
‘Be sure he understands yer his girl. He’s a good ’un, is young Kitto, and yer’ll do well together. Yer’ll need to finish that skirt for Mrs Tallis before yer leaves, mind. Can’t afford to have my reputation ruined, young love or not.’
✳
And love was the crux of the matter, Colenso mused as she hurried down the lane later that afternoon. Kitto was her beloved. He was young and attractive, but most of all he set her pulses racing whilst the Ferret was ancient and repulsed her. If only she’d stuck up for herself more forcefully when he accused her of theft she wouldn’t feel like a fly trapped in a web with the silken thread tightening around her.
Whilst it was heartening that the evenings were beginning to draw out, she didn’t want her father to see her. As soon as she heard the ring of scutes on the rocky path and the workers began appearing, weary and dirty after their long day’s work, she slipped into the shadows of the hedges. She frowned as they passed by, for some were arguing whilst others earnestly voiced their opinions. What could have upset these equable workers, she wondered. Usually they’d be keen to get home to their supper. Her musings were interrupted by a piercing whistle and she stared around in surprise. Then it came again and she saw Kitto beckoning to her from behind a large elm tree.
‘What are you doing?’ she whispered, slipping over to join him.
‘Coming to see you but I daren’t risk bumping into your father.’ He fell silent as the next huddle of men noisily passed by. ‘He’s been trying to cause trouble with Fenton,’ he continued, his voice low.
‘What do you mean?’ Colenso asked, staring at Kitto in dismay.
‘I think he was hoping to stab me in the back and get me fired, but you could say his plan backfired,’ he chuckled, then became serious. ‘I’ve missed you, Cali.’ He pulled her closer and she snuggled against him, revelling in the warmth of his body.
‘I waited ages by Mammwynn’s seat,’ she told him.
‘Sorry, but Fenton called me into his office just as I was leaving. Said your father had told him it was me who’d turned those things for you. Thought I’d had it, I can tell you.’ Colenso shuddered as she pictured the scene. ‘Come on,’ he murmured. ‘Let’s go somewhere warmer. Jim’s not back with the horse bus yet, so let’s avail ourselves of his nice warm stables.’ They waited while another row of dissenting workers tramped past then, like a couple of naughty children, ran to the shelter of the stalls.
‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable,’ he invited, mischief lighting up his eyes as he gestured to a nearby bale.
‘Honestly, Kitto Rowse, you do know how to spoil a girl,’ she quipped, wrinkling her nose at the ripe smell emanating from piles of dung and goodness knows what else. Still, paupers couldn’t be pickers, she thought, easing herself down on the straw.
‘Soon as I’m qualified I’ll take you to the finest hotel where you will sit on a velvet-cushioned chair and feast on the finest food to celebrate our betrothal,’ he promised. Remembering her outing with Fenton the previous day, Colenso shook her head.
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