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  He gazed at her. ‘It’s onny a thought. An idea. Nothing might come of it. It’s just summat one of ’farm lads, Josh, mentioned. Charlesworth has given him ’sack.’

  She drew in a breath. ‘Why? What’s he done?’

  ‘He’s done nowt. Charlesworth just said he didn’t need him any more.’

  Ellen licked her lips. ‘So – what did he say?’

  ‘He said he was going to try for work in Hull.’

  ‘But he’s a farmhand. What can he do in Hull?’

  ‘Plenty of jobs in factories if you’re willing to work, and he’s a strong lad, so why not?’

  ‘And your question to me was … ?’

  Harry looked down at his boots; there were wisps of straw still clinging to the soles even though he’d scraped them before he came in. Then he looked up. ‘I was going to ask you – how would you feel about going to live in Hull?’

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Ellen said nothing. She couldn’t think of anything to say. She felt that the breath had been sucked out of her. The worst thing that had ever happened was Mary becoming ill, but now the thought of leaving all she had ever known, her parents and family, and travelling to an unknown place, somewhere she had never been, added to her distress. She felt dizzy and abruptly sat down.

  ‘Don’t worry about it.’ Harry’s voice seemed to come from far away. ‘It was onny a thought. I’ve upset you, haven’t I? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said, not on top of ’worry you’ve had wi’ Mary.’

  She opened and closed her mouth but no words came out.

  ‘We’ll talk about it later,’ Harry said hastily. ‘I’ll have to go. Charlesworth’ll be looking for me.’

  She nodded. ‘Go,’ she said huskily. ‘Go on. We’ll talk when you get home.’

  He hesitated as he reached the door. ‘Don’t worry, will you? Just mek sure that ’bairn is all right.’

  ‘I will,’ she whispered, but her brown eyes were large with anxiety as he opened the door and gave her an apprehensive glance.

  Harry had always looked after her, kept any anxieties away from her, but now, she realized as she sat in the quiet of the room, she must share the worries, must not let him take all the responsibilities on his shoulders. Decisions on their future must be taken together. They’d talk over their prospects, and if moving away was what they had to do, then so be it; it would be as difficult for Harry as it would be for her. Harder, in fact, for farming was all he had ever known.

  Later that evening, Mary seemed a little better, though she was fractious and had difficulty swallowing. Ellen trickled honey and cool water down her throat and that seemed to ease her discomfort; she gave her more willow bark and by the time Harry came home she had fallen asleep again and was curled up back in her bed.

  Ellen had made a casserole of pork and vegetables which she and Harry ate together and he remarked how quiet it was without the children.

  ‘Well, they would’ve been in bed by now,’ Ellen reminded him. He agreed that they would have been, but said that knowing they were in the next room was always comforting. He had gone in to check on Mary and was relieved to see that she seemed to be sleeping evenly and that her breathing was easier.

  ‘So tell me,’ Ellen went on. ‘What was this about going to Hull?’

  Harry sighed. ‘It’s two things. This morning when I looked at ’last field of corn I thought it looked almost perfect. Another two days of sun and it would be ready. Ozzie would have been ecstatic. I’d been waiting for Charlesworth to give me ’go-ahead for harvesting; it would have been for ’very last time, so I said to him we ought to be getting extra men in; and he said, no we shouldn’t. I’ve sold the crop; we don’t need to do anything, it’ll be harvested and cleared by the buyer. I just stood and stared at him. I couldn’t believe what he was saying, and then he said, when it’s done we’ll be sowing grass for more sheep.

  ‘Then Josh came to tell me he’d be finishing at ’end of week and I asked him where he was going. He said he was going to try Hull; that he was onny forty and couldn’t afford to finish work, and he’d heard there were plenty of labouring jobs in town.’

  ‘But you’re not a labourer,’ Ellen reminded him. ‘You’re an experienced farmhand.’

  ‘And soon I’ll be an out-of-work farmhand; there are few good jobs available in farming and those in work are hanging on by their fingertips. Machines are tekking ’place of labourers.’ His expression was grim. ‘To be honest, I’d wait until Hirings, but I hate ’notion of standing in line waiting for somebody to look me over; that’s why I’ve put ’word about that I’m looking for another position. Ozzie had a good reputation and the fact that I’ve worked for him since I was a lad should be recommendation enough, but there’s been nothing. Nobody has come forward to enquire, and I reckon’ – he clenched his fists – ‘I reckon that Charlesworth will become a laughing stock afore long and I don’t want to be associated with him. I don’t want my name being tarnished by his.’

  ‘I can understand that,’ Ellen murmured. ‘But what kind of labouring work would it be in town?’

  ‘Josh said he was going to ’timber docks first, then mebbe ’railway dock. They’ll want lads wi’ muscles there. There are several docks in Hull; there’s Queen’s Dock, where shipping and trade comes in, then Humber Dock, and Junction Dock, and there are plans to extend Victoria Dock.’ He paused. ‘And there are plenty of mills, oil mills and seed-crushing mills, and I know about seed and grain.’

  ‘So you do,’ she whispered, watching his face. ‘So – mebbe it will be all right.’

  ‘Do you think so, Ellen?’ He looked earnestly at her. ‘Cos I wouldn’t want to do anything if you weren’t happy about it.’

  She reached to grasp his hand on the table; his fingers were tightly clenched and she eased them until they began to unfold. ‘I know you wouldn’t tek a chance if ’odds were against us,’ she murmured. ‘But where would we live, Harry? We onny pay a peppercorn rent here, but even so we haven’t much money. Would we struggle to get by?’

  ‘We’d struggle on a farmhand’s wages anyway. We’ve been lucky wi’ having this cottage, Ellen.’ He shook his head. ‘Even if we stop in Holderness, money’s going to be short.’

  Ellen was silent. It was true. Her parents had managed because her father had always had regular work, but now she wondered just how they had coped with so many children. Everyone she knew grew their own vegetables and kept chickens or a pig if they had the space. Could they do that in town? Would they even have a patch of soil to grow what they needed? No use asking Harry, he knew as little as she did about the town of Hull. He had never been there either.

  The doctor called the following morning to enquire after Mary. He looked down her throat again and said the inflammation had gone down. ‘Tonsillitis,’ he said. ‘Not quinsy as I feared. She should be well again in a day or two, but keep giving her the willow bark, and if you take her out and there’s a cold wind make sure that she wears a warm scarf round her neck.’

  He smiled at the little girl, who hid her face against her mother’s shoulder.

  ‘Thank you, doctor,’ Ellen said. ‘I’m very grateful. What do we owe you?’ She hoped it wouldn’t be too much.

  ‘Nothing.’ He shook his head. ‘I don’t charge a fee for children. Besides,’ he added, ‘I haven’t prescribed anything. You were doing the right thing, using your common sense. Don’t hesitate if you should need me again.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she said gratefully. ‘But – we might be moving from ’village into Hull.’

  ‘Oh?’

  Ellen nodded. ‘My husband is going to seek work. His former employer, Mr Oswald, died and ’new farm owner is making some changes, and there’s no place for Harry in his plans.’

  ‘Would that be Mr Charlesworth?’ When Ellen said yes, he went on, ‘I’d heard he’s bought sheep. I understood that Holderness was more of a pig-breeding area, but then I’m not a countryman. Well, if you do decide to go to Hull I can give you the name of a good doctor.’

  He opened his black bag, brought out a pencil and notepad, and began writing. ‘Dr Lucan; he was a Holderness man originally, but he’s been in Hull for some time. Very well thought of and very experienced.’ He passed her the details. ‘He’s good with children, too, and has several of his own.’ He put on his top hat and touched it. ‘Good luck, Mrs Randell. I hope all goes well with your husband’s work prospects.’

  She repeated what he’d said when Harry came home, but Harry was distracted and gave only a vague reply before saying, ‘The Dales man has come and is harassing Charlesworth over ’accommodation for his family; Charlesworth in turn is harassing me and I’m sick of it, Ellen. I loved this job. I would get up every morning and plan my day, knowing that Ozzie trusted me to do what was necessary, but now …’ He got up from the table and walked to the window. ‘Now, ’heart has gone out of it. I don’t want to be working there any more.’

  ‘Then give Charlesworth notice and tek a day off to go to Hull and seek work,’ Ellen said determinedly. ‘If you’ve given notice he can’t sack you. Mebbe he’ll knock off a day’s pay, but that can’t be helped. And I’ll start packing.’

  She looked round the room. It wouldn’t take long. Most of the fittings had been supplied by Mr Oswald; they’d get everything that was theirs into a small wagon. She’d ask one of her sisters to help her pack the linen and crockery, and her brother Billy would help Harry with their few pieces of furniture. That was one advantage of having a large family.

  Harry turned towards her. ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said firmly. ‘We’ve no other option, and we’ll …’ Her lip trembled, but she went on bravely. ‘We’ll think of it as a turning point in our lives.’

  Harry took her in his arms. ‘I allus knew you were ’right girl for me,’ he murmured, kissing her lips. ‘That first day I saw you, do you remember? You came to our house to see … who was it, our Janey? I knew then that I’d wait for you to grow up.’

  ‘Polly.’ She smiled. ‘And you asked me if I’d be stretching my wings and leaving ’village; and until then I’d thought that I might if my da would allow it.’

  He leaned back, holding her at arms’ length. ‘Really? Where had you thought of going?’

  She laughed. ‘I had an idea that I might like to work in a town, so when Mrs Hodges offered me a job I thought that when I’d had some experience in cooking and baking I might go to Hull; but on the day we met I decided to stay for a while and see what happened next.’

  ‘And what did happen next?’ he teased.

  She rubbed her cheek against his and closed her eyes. ‘I fell in love,’ she said softly. ‘With someone who loved me, and I knew I couldn’t leave unless he came with me.’ She opened her eyes. ‘And that’s what’s going to happen next,’ she said tenderly, ‘onny we’ll have a few little people with us.’

  ‘We’ll be all right, won’t we?’ he said, and she nodded. ‘You know that I’ll work my fingers to ’bone for you and our bairns.’

  She kissed him. ‘I know that,’ she said. ‘We’ll manage fine.’

  Harry did as Ellen had proposed. He was pleased that she had made the choice, as he hadn’t wanted to pressure her into agreeing, and it had surprised him to know that even when she had been so young she had thought that she might go to live and work in a large town like Hull.

  He gave notice to Charlesworth. He had found his original contract with Oswald, which had never been changed, not even when Charlesworth had taken over, and so in theory he could stay on until 11 November, Martinmas, the traditional hiring day. As they were still in September, he had plenty of time to seek work.

  The carrier called at Patrington and Hedon on Tuesdays and Fridays, returning on the same days, and the Tuesday after giving in his notice Harry rose early to walk to the Patrington road and catch the carrier on his way into Hull. He hoped to find work immediately, otherwise he would have to stay in a hostelry until Friday to come home again. There was the option of the railway train, but he didn’t want to spend the money. The carrier was much cheaper.

  Ellen had packed him beef and cheese and several slices of bread, and he had put them on top of a small bag of money tucked into the bottom of a knapsack.

  ‘Be careful, won’t you?’ she said, as he opened the door to leave.

  He smiled. ‘I’m not going to ’ends of the earth, Ellen,’ he joked, though unsteadily. ‘It onny feels like it.’

  Ellen turned back into her kitchen; though the cottage was small, just one room, a scullery and a bedroom, it had been theirs. A good fire burned in the range, and the kettle hung on the hook above it. She felt sad to be leaving, but it had to be. She would begin her packing later, but now she would visit Harry’s mother in Holmpton and tell her of their proposed plans, and then she would call on her own mother and do the same there.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Harry had mixed feelings as he strode out towards the main road along which the carrier made stops at some of the villages between Patrington and Hedon – Ottringham and Keyingham were two, he knew – before heading into Hull itself.

  He had never been out of Holderness. There had never been any need; everything he wanted was there. His family had always worked on the land, his father and grandfather and great-grandfather before him. As had Ellen’s, as far as he knew.

  But now was the time for change, and it wasn’t only the fact that Charlesworth was taking over the farm. Had Mr Oswald lived he would perhaps always have employed him, but there were many farmhands moving into towns to try for a better living than they could make in the countryside; and besides, Harry thought, acres of land were being lost to the sea, which meant that farms were shrinking and cottagers’ homes were disappearing over the edge into the coastal waters.

  Perhaps that’s why Charlesworth has brought the sheep to the inland fields, not just to please his wife. He’ll know more about money matters than I do, Harry mused. I onny know about money in my pocket. Perhaps Ozzie was working at a loss. He looked up as he heard the rattle of wheels and saw the carrier coming towards him; he began to run, his pack bumping on his back. He’s early, he thought as he put out his hand to hail the driver.

  ‘Just in time,’ the driver said as he climbed up beside him. ‘Another minute and you’d have missed me.’

  ‘Our clock must be wrong,’ Harry said. ‘I thought I’d timed it perfectly.’

  ‘Nah!’ the driver admitted. ‘I’ve made good time; nobody waiting at Patrington. Will you want a lift back?’

  ‘Not sure,’ Harry said. ‘Depends if all goes well.’

  ‘Lookin’ fer work, are you?’

  ‘Aye, and I don’t know if I’ll be successful today, so I might have to stop over. I’ll be looking for accommodation for my family as well.’

  The driver grunted. ‘Well, good luck wi’ that. Just watch what you’re doing, and keep your money bag safe. Where ’you looking, oil mills, grain mills?’

  ‘Mebbe,’ Harry told him. ‘Wherever I can, oil or seed, or on ’docks. I can’t afford to be choosy.’

  ‘Try Wincomlee, Wilmington or Sculcoates,’ the driver said. ‘There’re plenty o’ mills to choose from, though I wouldn’t advise you to live down there. Housing won’t be what you’re used to.’

  Harry nodded his thanks, but hid a small smile. Their present cottage was cosy, but it wasn’t lavish by any means. He’d surely find something of the same standard.

  ‘Aye up.’ The driver spotted a figure holding out his thumb further up the road. ‘Seems like all of Holderness is on ’move, seeking work. There’ll be nobody left in ’countryside at this rate.’

  ‘In that case I’ll come back,’ Harry sighed. ‘I’m not moving through choice.’

  ‘You married, then?’ the driver asked as he reined in. ‘Got a family of your own?’

  ‘Yeh, a wife and three bairns, so I’ve got to earn enough to feed and clothe them.’

  That was also the new passenger’s mission, except that he was newly married with a wife who would work until she bore children. ‘I’d be happy if she didn’t have any just yet,’ he said morosely, ‘but I expect she will. You know what women are like.’

  Harry and the driver exchanged glances. ‘Nowt to do wi’ you, I suppose?’ the cabby grunted.

  The passenger shook his head. ‘I’ve telled her I don’t want any yet, but I don’t think she was listening. That’s why I’m going into Hull; mebbe my job prospects will be better there. I might try for shipping, or mebbe loading on ’docks.’

  They pulled into the market town of Hedon to drop off supplies, and picked up a woman passenger. Harry had had enough of the gloomy young man so he gave up his seat at the front and sat in the back with the crates. The young man got out, saying he needed the privy, and shot off to the nearest hostelry. The driver waited for five minutes and then set off again.

  ‘I’m not hanging about,’ he muttered. ‘I’m not here for ’good of my health; my time means money,’ and he cracked the whip and moved off at a spanking trot out of Hedon, along the wide road which had once been marshland alongside the Humber estuary, past the docks and the tops of cranes and the tall masts of schooners and ships prepared to sail to every country and seaboard known to mankind, until they crossed the bridge over the River Hull and turned right, and the driver lifted his whip in salutation to the King Billy statue – or was it, Harry wondered as he scanned the town, in acknowledgement of the hostelry of the same name – as they reached the edge of Market Place, where the carrier stopped.

  Harry helped the woman down before turning to pay the driver, who shook his head when Harry offered his fare.

  ‘No need to pay me until you return,’ he said.

  ‘It might not be today,’ Harry reminded him, ‘so I’d rather give it you now. I don’t like owing money.’

  The driver gave an appreciative nod. ‘Good lad,’ he said. ‘Hope you get on all right.’ He told Harry to cross the town and come out on the eastern side. ‘Look for North Bridge over ’river,’ he said, ‘and then turn left, and that’ll bring you into ’industrial area wi’ mills and factories and what not. You’re sure to find summat to your liking.’