Margaret’s expression was thunderous. Ann had never seen her be anything other than charming

Fiona wandered back into the house and locked the back door. She would go and meet him, but by herself. No way was she taking Jamie along. She would go tomorrow, when Jamie was at school. When she thought of seeing him again, she felt a shudder of excitement, then shook herself out of it. For God’s sake, she told herself, he left me, stole all my money and disappeared without a trace.

He’s got some explaining to do. His excuses had better be good.

Monday, January 12 1880

Once she was sure that the Baxters and Jessie were all busy round the back of the house, Ann pulled on her shoulder cape and stepped onto the lawn so her steps would not be heard on the gravel as she headed for the gate.

There he was, waiting. He whipped off his cap. “Good Morning, Alfred.”

“Morning, Annie. Do you have news?”

“I do. It is good news. The lawyers have had no instructions from my husband before he died to hand the mill over to Clegg. Your job is safe.”

Alfred Johnston clasped his hands together and beamed. “Thank you Annie, thank you. That you have done this for me, in your time of grief and mourning, is too kind.”

“I have a small favour to ask of you, in return.” “Anything, Annie.”

“Can you can find Blind Mattie for me and give this back to her? Today if possible.”

She handed the cloth to him and he peered down at it.

“It is one of the mill worker’s darning needles.” “It’s Mattie’s. I want her to have it back. You are nearer Lochee than I am.”

“Aye, I can do that,” he said, taking the cloth. “But why do you have it?”

“She gave it to me, I had forgotten it was still in my possession.”

“Oh, sorry to ask, Annie, but d’you have my handkerchief?

“I had to tell Bettie that I left mine at the mill. It was one she embroidered for me, special.”

“It is inside, being laundered. I shall have it sent to the mill.”

She turned upon hearing a noise. “I must go. Goodbye, Alfred.”

She swept back over the lawn and reached the front door just as Baxter crunched slowly over the gravel towards the back gate.

“Mamma, may I get down from the table please? I am doing a special drawing in the nursery.

“It’s of our house and I am trying to get the pillars at the front door just right.”

“Of course, dear boy. What did Papa call them?” “Ionic.”

“That’s it.” Ann beckoned to her son with a smile. “Come and give your Mamma a kiss.”

James slunk towards his mother. “The twins say it’s not right to do kisses now I am 10.”

Ann shook her head. “What the Donaldsons do is their business. In this house we show each other how very much we love each other.”

She ruffled her son’s hair then planted a kiss on his head.

“Papa never kissed me.”

“Nor me,” said Lizzie, putting down her spoon with a clunk.

“Your Papa is – was – never a man to show his emotions. But I am sure he loved you, in his own way.”

She must say nothing against him; she must forever be the grieving widow and loving wife.

“That black hat pudding was very good,” said Lizzie as she clambered on to her mother’s lap.

Threatening

Ann pulled Lizzie’s dainty satin slippers off. “Black cap pudding, darling girl,” she said, tickling her feet.

“The rain’s stopped, Mamma. Can we go out later? Please?”

“No, I would prefer if you stay at home this afternoon.”

“But Mamma, we had to stay in the nursery all morning, you always say fresh air’s good and . . .”

“Sorry, darling child, not today. Though the rain has stopped, it will be too wet underfoot. Perhaps tomorrow.”

Even though he was gone, she felt his threatening presence, she wanted to keep her children close.

The door swung open. Mrs Baxter hobbled in and frowned as she looked at them.

“Lizzie, you are too big to sit like a baby on your mother’s lap.”

“I think that is something for us to decide, thank you.” Ann started to pull Lizzie’s slippers back on. “Off you go up to the nursery. I shall pop up later.”

Mrs Baxter stood back to allow Lizzie and James to run past her then she approached the table.

“Mrs Craig, I noticed your heavy cloak was damp. I hung it in the drying room earlier.”

“Oh, thank you. What a good idea,”

“I didn’t hear you go out last night. Did you go far?” “No, not far,” said Ann, flustered.

“I’ll clear up the lunch things then fetch your coffee in the drawing room.”

Ann nodded, thinking about the coat and what was in the pocket. She had completely forgotten about it.

Last night, she had just flung it on the coat stand and gone straight to bed, too exhausted to think straight.

And now she could not get to the drying room without passing through the kitchen where Mrs Baxter resided all day.

There was a loud knock at the front door. “Shall I see who that is, Mrs Craig? I can bring them to you in the drawing room.”

Ann stood up and went out, head bowed, thinking about what to do.

She could hear her voice before she reached her favourite window seat. Good God, Margaret was back.

Austere

“Mrs Donaldson to see you, Mrs Craig,” said Mrs Baxter as Margaret swept past her, carrying a large carpetbag.

Her face was pale, her expression austere; she did not greet Ann as she took a seat.

Mrs Baxter pulled the door to, but did not shut it completely.

“Margaret, how nice to have you back. You have been missed. How was your sister?”

“My sister was fine.”

Margaret’s expression was thunderous. Ann had never seen her be anything other than charming.

“You are back earlier than you had thought. Was all well, my dear?”

“In fact no, all was not well. Yesterday morning we received a message from Aggie to say the dog had disappeared during the evening and she was worried.

“She had tried to waken Dr Donaldson in the night to look for her but he was not there.

“It was not an evening he was on duty, he had told her he had no work until Monday morning.”

Margaret glared at Ann who stood and went to the door. Take your time, Ann told herself. Be careful. “Shall you join me for coffee, Margaret dear?” She opened the door wide and, as just as she had thought, her housekeeper was hovering in the hall.

“Thank you for awaiting orders, Mrs Baxter. You may fetch in the coffee tray now.”

More tomorrow.