‘I noticed that you an’ Mr Greenwood seem to be rubbin’ along a bit better.’ Nancy peeped at Amber out of the corner of her eye, a teasing smile playing at the corner of her lips.
‘Well, I suppose I realised that it made sense to try an’ get on at least. But don’t get readin’ anything more than that into it.’
‘You could ’ave fooled me. Why, I couldn’t miss the way he were watchin’ you when we were sittin’ outside.’
‘Don’t talk such rubbish,’ Amber snapped more sharply than she had intended. She knew she should tell Nancy about the impending marriage. Word would spread through the town like wildfire once the banns had been read at St Mary’s, and as Nancy was about the only friend she had left she supposed she should. ‘I, er?.?.?. have somethin’ to tell you, as it happens?.?.?. The thing is, Barnaby’s asked me to marry him. It’ll be a purely platonic marriage for Charlotte’s sake, o’ course. But we’re sick of people callin’ us names an’ we thought it might shut ’em up.’
Nancy looked shocked then delighted and hoping to change the subject Amber asked, ‘And what about you an’ Jimmy?’
Nancy blushed prettily. ‘Oh, we’re gettin’ on fine. In fact, to be honest?.?.?. well, I reckon I’m a bit struck with him.’
‘And does he feel the same about you?’
Nancy nodded. ‘I reckon so, but we’ll just ’ave to see ’ow things go.’ She looked sad then as she said quietly, ‘I were sorry to ’ear you ’ad another break-in while you were away at your uncle’s weddin’. I don’t know why folks can’t just leave you in peace.’
Amber shrugged as she took the pins from her hair and shook it loose. ‘I’m all right. And at least it wasn’t so bad as the first time. I let Barnaby get most o’ the shoppin’ in now when he’s in town an’ I only go in when I have to, and when I do I only get called names – there’s been no more egg-throwin’. That’s part o’ the reason we’re gettin’ wed.’
‘Hm, well at least you ain’t got Bertie Preston houndin’ you anymore,’ Nancy said. ‘Most o’ the police from the other counties they called in to look for him an’ his cronies after the robberies ’ave left now, an’ I doubt Bertie’ll show his face round ’ere again.’ She leant back on her hands and grinned with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. ‘So when is the ’appy event to be? Can I be your bridesmaid?’
‘No, you can’t. Like I told you, it’s goin’ to be purely a marriage o’ convenience. We’ll just go to the church, come home an’ things will go on as they are now. There’ll be no guests or bridesmaids.’
‘What? Ain’t you even havin’ a party to celebrate the day?’ Nancy looked disappointed. ‘Aw well, at least bein’ Mrs Greenwood will give you some security, an’ fancy the ’ouse ’aving its own little private beach, eh? It’s lovely ’ere, ain’t it?’
‘I suppose it is.’ Amber looked around as if she was seeing it through new eyes. ‘We’re certainly very comfortable.’ Glancing up she saw Charlotte rubbing her eyes and told her friend, ‘We’ll have another ten minutes then I’d best get this little ’un back for her afternoon nap.’
Soon after they set off back up the side of the cliffside, but Amber was soon struggling as Charlotte, who seemed to get heavier every day, had fallen into a doze on her shoulder.
Then she saw Barnaby making his way down towards them. ‘I thought this might happen,’ he laughed. ‘And she’s quite a little heavyweight now so I thought I’d come and take her off you.’ He took the child from her arms and surefootedly set off up the path again, as Amber glanced at Nancy who had a wide grin on her face.
‘See what I mean?’ she said cheekily and this time it was Amber’s turn to blush. Now that she came to think about it, she and Barnaby had been getting on well lately and he was very kind. Every morning before going to work he would fetch fresh milk from the Jennings’ farm, get the logs for the fire in and do any job he considered was too heavy for her to do. But then, she reasoned, he was only doing all that for Charlotte?.?.?. wasn’t he?
Ignoring Nancy’s knowing stare she stuck her chin in the air, lifted her skirts and followed Barnaby.
Chapter Forty
It was the day before the wedding, early in July, and Amber was hanging washing on the line that Barnaby had strung up across the yard for her, when May Jennings appeared with a covered basket.
‘How are you feelin’, lass?’ she chirped cheerfully. ‘Are the pre-weddin’ nerves settin’ in yet?’ Before Amber could answer, she went on, ‘I brought you a cake for after the service. Every bride an’ groom should ’ave a nice cake to cut. I gather you will be havin’ a little do ’ere?’
Amber was acutely embarrassed as she stared into the kindly woman’s face. ‘Actually, we weren’t planning on anything like that, Mrs Jennings. We were just going to go, get the service over with and come back here.’
May Jennings looked horrified. ‘Well, that don’t sound like much of a weddin’ to me,’ she said plaintively. ‘An’ what will you be wearin?’
Amber blushed. ‘I, er?.?.?. hadn’t really given it much thought,’ she admitted. ‘It don’t really matter, does it?’
‘Buto’ courseit matters. Now come on, if you ain’t bought anythin’ new we’ll go in an’ ’ave a look through your wardrobe.’
Amber reluctantly followed her into the house and minutes later they were staring into her wardrobe.
‘Ah, now this would bejustperfect.’ May sighed with delight when her eyes lit on the beautiful green gown Amber had worn for her uncle’s wedding.
‘But don’t you think it might be?.?.?. a bit much for such a quiet weddin?’
‘Too much, me foot!’ May exclaimed indignantly. ‘If a bride can’t look beautiful on ’er weddin’ day then when can she? You’ll wear this, my girl or I’ll ’ave somethin’ to say about it, do you ’ear me?’
‘Yes, Mrs Jennings,’ Amber answered meekly. There didn’t seem much point in arguing and she supposed it would be nice to wear it again, even if for only a short time.
‘That’s settled then. Me an’ Bill will pick you up in the carriage at half ten, that’ll give us plenty o’ time to get you to the church for eleven.’
