Back from the horse-doctor

Maggie laughed. "Sally did. I just said. Weren't you listening? Though we all put sommat in the pot. Carrots, beans and the like. She had one of those dry Portuguese sausages, but it was hard enough to break your teeth. Hopefully it'll be better in a stew. We'll find out." She grinned, becoming her usual self once again, and went away to fill their bowls.

"Sorry. I got cloth ears, times. Must have. Mebbe you'll be able to learn me to listen prop'ly, one o' thse days, lass." He grinned at her as she went to get their dinner, and found a place near the fire where he could sit down. He was rather glad to get the weight off his feet.

She returned with two steaming bowls. "There. Give that a try." It was not the best meal she had ever had, but being hungry after a day of marching made it more appealing. She wondered suddenly what the mother cat would eat. "Do you like cats?" she asked her husband.

He took his bowl back from her and dug out his spoon, grinning as his stomach growled again. "Cats?" he said, mumbling round a mouthful of stew. "Eh, that's hot, he said a moment later, managing to swallow it. "Cats? On'y really knowed outdoor cats, me, livin' on a farm. But one of 'em was friendly enough, aye."

She curled herself up next to him, the previous awkwardness gone, and told him all about the kittens that they had rescued from under the wagon. "Such sweet tiny things they are too, and their mam so protective, and purring so loud. When we have our cottage with the roses and all, will we have cats and kittens? To keep away the mice at least?"

Cotton nodded and swallowed his mouthful. "Aye, there's allus mickeys when you'm livin' in the country. Can't keep 'em down without you have a cat to do it." He smiled at her. "They sound real nice. Though, I dunno why she chose to have 'em out here - must be houses somewhere where she could've had 'em." He had some more stew and it was a moment before he could speak again. "Did you used to have a cat, at your home in... Dewsbury?"

"No, never had any sort of animals about. Could've used a cat to keep the mice down though. Jem's mam had a moggie about the shop, but it didn't like anyone but her, always run away to hide." She turned her head to look up at him. "Will we go there some time?"

Cotton looked down at her and smiled "Aye, if'n you want to, lass. I mean, well, it's up to you, that. I won't say no, nor I won't make you if you don't want to." Some men wouldn't give their wives the choice, would make them do what the men wanted, just because they could and the law didn't say otherwise. Cotton just wanted Maggie to be happy, though, and was prepared to do almost anything for her if it would make her happy. He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "Whatever you say, Maggie, sweeting, we'll do that."