and Ralf would have use of the cow for some time.
The weather was good and it took them only 5 days to reach Stamford. They chose to sleep by the wagon each night to save their funds. If the weather turned bad, they would then have money to sleep in an inn.
Things change slowly in Stamford and so Richard was shocked to see from a distance the steeple on the All Saints' Church.
'Margaret, luk,' exclaimed Richard as he pointed to the church in the distance. 'The All Saints' Church 'as a steeple.'
'Aye, it is wonderful,' replied Margaret.
'I am sure that the Darby's must 'ave paid for it,' said Richard. 'They luv that church like I do, boot I culd nay buy one stone for the work.'
'Aye, boot if you culd, you wuld, me luv,' observed Margaret as she smiled and gave his hand a squeeze.
The road through Stamford passes by the All Saints' Church and so Richard had the opportunity of admiring the new steeple in close proximity. The square near the church was a busy place, making it difficult to maneuver the wagon. As they passed through the square near the church, a man on a fine horse rode toward them quickly. It was obvious from the horse and the man's attire that he was a man of substance and stature. Those in the square tried to rapidly make way for the man to pass.
'Oot of me way,' the man would say to those who didn't move quickly enough.
Richard quickly moved the wagon to one side and let the man pass. The man rode up to the church and dismounted. Richard thought that he looked vaguely familiar. As Richard and Margaret continued on their way, Richard finally realized why the man looked familiar.
'That was John Darby, me luv,' said Richard.
'Who was John Darby?' asked Margaret.
'The man on the 'orse,' replied Richard.
'I do nay know a John Darby, me luv,' said Margaret.
''e was a friend of mine when I was a child. I do nay believe that 'e wuld remember me.'
'When did you see 'im last?'
'It 'as been nigh on 18 years. I almost did nay recognize 'im.'
'Well, 'e wuld nay recognize you with your beard, me luv,' said Margaret with a smile. ''ow culd you know sumeone with so much wealth and sumeone so important then?'
'We were children. Wealth and status did nay mean anything to us then,' replied Richard.
'Aye, well it do now,' said Margaret.
It wasn't long after that they reached Easton-on-the-hill and had a happy reunion with Geva and Ralf. Ralf was outside the cottage finishing up some of the daily chores before he went inside for the evening.
'Ralf,' called Margaret as the wagon pulled up near the cottage.
Ralf looked up, but it took a moment before he recognized who his visitors were.
'Margaret, Richard, welcome.' exclaimed Ralf. 'Geva,' he called out. Three children came out of the cottage almost at once and stared at Richard and Margaret. 'Margaret, you luk luvly,' said Ralf, 'boot I wuld nay 'ave recognized Richard if you were nay with 'im, me luv,' he said with a smile as he gave Margaret and Richard hugs. 'Comb inseed.'
Richard's first thought was that Geva looked sickly when he saw her, but Margaret recognized the tired look of a woman with child. When they walked in, Geva screamed with delight and then held her stomach as though in pain and she sat down. Still, she hugged Margaret tightly and it seemed that she would not release her. When she did, she motioned for Richard to come close and to hug her.
'Oh Margaret, Richard, it 'as been so long. It 'as been too long. We 'ave missed you so much,' said Geva as she tried to keep back her tears.
'Who's children are all these, then?' asked Margaret as she looked at the three children that were hiding behind Geva.
Geva reached behind herself and tried to coax the children forward. 'These are our three children,' said Ralf proudly, 'and Geva is with child again.'
'Oh, 'ow wonderful,' said Margaret and she hugged Geva again.
Ralf asked whether they had come back to Easton-on-the-hill to stay. 'Nay,' replied Richard, 'we are on our way to Calais. I 'ear that there is work there.'
'Calais!' exclaimed Geva. She and Ralf had never known anyone that had traveled so far as to France. 'Is it safe there?'
'Aye, it is safe. The King still 'olds that part of France and because of the war, there is work there to repair the church, so I