Lynne Francis - Sarah’s Story - An emotional family saga that you won’t be able to put down

‘I’m glad that you did.’ Ada was firm. ‘I would never have forgiven myself if you had turned away, after all the kindness that you have shown to my family.’

Sarah had busied herself sweeping up the spilled herbs and she cleared a space on the table to set out tea things. They passed an agreeable hour, talking of Daniel’s work in Manchester and of Sarah’s efforts to learn her grandmother’s trade. After a while Sarah slipped away to light the fire in the parlour, feeling that they shouldn’t entertain their guest in the kitchen all evening. She was well aware that if the snow came on it would be necessary to accommodate him for the night, and bedding down on the sofa in the parlour would be the only option for him. As she returned to the kitchen, Daniel leapt to his feet as she entered and she reflected with some surprise on his natural good manners.

It was clear that he and Ada had struck up a strong rapport during the time she had spent in Manchester. Sarah, observing them as they chatted, became pensive. Daniel knew so much more of Ellen and Jane’s life during the last few years than she did herself. If things had turned out differently, perhaps he would have been sitting here as her brother-in-law. On cue, as if he had read her thoughts, Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled envelope.

He hesitated. ‘I carried this with me when I knew I was coming to Northwaite, on the off-chance that I might see one of you, to pass it on.’

‘What is it?’ Ada asked, regarding the proffered envelope with some suspicion.

Daniel coloured up. ‘It’s something that’s not rightfully mine to keep,’ he said, looking embarrassed. ‘I should have given it to you when you came to nurse your family but I didn’t want to part with it after what came to pass. Now I feel that was wrong.’ He paused. ‘I have been given a better position at work, with an increase in salary, and so have been able to move out of those lodgings into more suitable accommodation. I came across the envelope when I was moving my possessions and was reminded of what I had done.’

Ada now held the corner of the envelope between her thumb and forefinger. ‘But what is inside it?’ She seemed reluctant to discover this for herself.

‘It holds the few mementoes that I had of Ellen,’ Daniel said. His cheeks were now quite scarlet, standing out in contrast to his sandy hair. ‘There’s a lock of her hair, a ribbon and … a photograph.’

‘A photograph?’ Ada and Sarah, both startled, spoke together.

‘Yes. We visited a bazaar in Manchester on Ellen’s birthday. I bought her a ticket for a chance to sit for a studio portrait and she won.’ Daniel smiled sadly. ‘I think the photographer had an eye for a pretty girl and he liked the look of Ellen. We had quite an argument about it. But she let me go with her when she sat for her portrait. Here it is.’

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