Lottie did not answer her child's plea for forgiveness. Not so long ago, young Ruth had thrown words to the wind and defied her mother. The old woman didn't know what she was talking about, couldn't possibly understand, that sort of thing. These accusations weren't easily swept away like old coal dust. If anything, the frostiness was cracking. In time it would melt, but not quite yet. Instead, she merely accepted the cup of tea.

Despite her personal mistakes, Ruth had done well in securing work with the Blackwood family, one of Whitby's wealthiest.

"I knew that Angus was no good. I'm glad the Blackwoods are 'elpin' ye. A court wouldn't take a child from it's mother." Lottie said from her vast legal experience, that is to say none.