The costermonger’s rough voice barked in her ear and she started, the noise of the crowded fruit and vegetable market rushing back into her head to drown out the ringing silence that pulsed there with every thump of her heart.‘Pardon?’ she said, flexing her tingling hands. Her chest burnt and she could barely breathe.‘Them beans. Do you want any more or not?’She glanced into her basket. She’d already bought some. She shook her head and managed to croak, ‘No, thank you.’The costermonger rolled his eyes and turned his attention to someone else. Harrie hurried away, her head down, mortified that she’d had one of her ‘turns’ in such a public place. If this kept happening, soon she would be scared to leave the house at all. It was too noisy here in the market sheds and there were so many people. She’d give anything to be at home in her attic bedroom, safe in bed with her head under the blankets.Tears stung her eyes. She’d been doing so well, she really had, especially while Sarah had needed her when Adam was away.
