Hannah's Golden Moment

Ten-year old Hannah Blows was like many thousands of young children living in Britain in the early 1800’’s. Living in poverty and uneducated
Hannah and her six-year-old sister Charlotte lived in a small two bedroom cottage close to a wooded area. The children’s grandmother, Jean Blows, lived in a rundown two roomed shack a quarter of a mile away.
This was a chilling time in British history. It was a time when child labour was used.
Children as young as seven and eight years of age were employed in the Lancashire cotton mills, working for up to18 hours a day.
Boys from the age of six were used as chimney sweeps. They were sent up the chimney. At times, while a fire burned below. Many were badly burned and some died. Young children were employed as lackeys in some of the fine homes, slaving for hours for pitifully low wages.
Child labour was used as a means of reducing costs.
Hannah, at the age of ten, did not work at one of the mills. Instead, she was employed in the manor house of Lord Reginald Hauntmont.
Part of her work was carried out alongside Thomas, a young man who had suffered having half his tongue cut out while he was serving as a seaman on a clipper. A bond of convenience and affection was formed between them.
Her years of struggle and torment are one day rewarded. It becomes her Golden Moment. Little does she realize the threat to her well being, as she tries to build her life and that of her family in new and unusual surroundings?
Later Hannah is unsure if the bond she formed with Thomas is one of love or gratitude after she has made the acquaintance of a handsome titled gentleman.