From shame and imprisonment to a new life.

Emily was only five years old when she was sent away from her Ma and Da and her brother Joe to go and live with old Granny Edwards. Growing up to be a loving and hard working child, she goes into service at the age of thirteen at the house of Roger Francis, whose connections with Emily's own family prove to be closer than she could ever have imagined. Roger's daughter Deborah takes a fancy to Emily, and when she moves away to another household in Hull, Emily finds that her new employer's son, Hugo, is to marry Deborah. But Hugo too, has become obsessed with Emily; he dishonours her and betrays her, bringing her to the depths of ruin.

Imprisoned, tried and transported to Australia, her life seems finished - until she is reunited with the one man who can save her from misery and bring her wealth and happiness.

Extract from EMILY:
'Leave me a dozen eggs and yon hen and tha can tek little lass.'
The child stared, first at her mother, who had spoken, and then at the tall, thick set youth who carried a square basket with a speckled hen poking its beak over the top and she new that her future was being decided.
The youth's eyebrows shot up and then down and then up again. 'Nay, I can't! She said I had to fetch little lad!'
Her mother shook her head in the determined manner which the child knew so well. If this was to be a battle of wills, she knew who would be the victor. 'Lad can't go. I need him here. Tha can tek Emily. She'll be a good worker when she's big enough.'
And so it was decided. Emily was sent to put on her boots and shawl, whilst the hen and eggs were handed over in exchange. 'I'm not sure,' she heard the boy say as she entered the house. 'She'll have summat to say.'
Her father was sitting in a chair by the fire, his head against the chair back, pale faced and his eyes half closed. Emily put on her boots and then stood by him. He gave a slight nod and she lifted each foot in turn so that he might fasten up the laces as he usually did, for she had not yet learned the art of tying them with knot and bow without them coming undone.
'Must I go, Da?' she ventured, clasping her hands in front of her.
He swallowed, the movement seeing to cause him pain for he closed his eyes for a moment before answering. 'Aye.' His voice was husky. 'If thy Ma says so. There. I've put a double knot so's they won't come undone. Tha'll be fine, don't worry.'
'Will I come back?'
He stroked her blond head so like his own and then patted her cheek. 'I don't know, maybe not. Go on now, don't keep him waiting, it's a long journey.'
Still she hesitated and glanced towards the open door, where her mother, outside it, was impatiently tapping her foot. She looked around the small sparse room. There was nothing else she needed to take, no possessions or essentials, nothing that was hers alone. 'We've got an old hen,' she whispered. 'We don't need another.'
'Come and give thy Da a kiss and get off.' Her father drew her towards him and she leaned and kissed his thin cheek.
'Shall I see thee again, Da?' Her lip trembled as she spoke and she kept her eyes on his, willing him to say yes.
'Get off now, lass. Go on. Don't be asking me questions that I can't answer.'
Her father, who had always known the answer to every question she asked, was reluctant to answer this one. She picked up her woollen shawl and walked slowly to the door, then looked back. Her father had his eyes closed again and his cheeks were wet. 'I could stay and look after thee, Da.'
He opened his eyes and she saw that they were glistening. He put up his hand and made a gentle movement for her to go; she turned again and left the room.