It would be a fair thing to say that Joe's mouth hung open like the fish his grandfather used to catch for a living. Joe cast a long look at Pearl. Being wed to her had been nothing more but a dream to him, a tiny possibility that might come true. But now this? This was like a cannon blast at Waterloo. Permission to court the woman of his dreams and the promise of wealth to go with it?

"Sorry sir, I'm nowt sure I heard you. Did you say you're alright with the two of us together and with us takin charge 'ere when ye pass on?"

His mind raced like a horse at the Grand National and he had trouble keeping up.