Half a Sixpence

Born in 1818, Catherine was the youngest daughter of the Rook family of Wanstall Farm in the village of Overshill, and as a child, she lived a charmed existence.

The Carters were one of the poorer families in Overshill. They had not been as fortunate as the Rooks, yet the lives of the two families had been intertwined for generations.

So when Catherine Rook falls for Matty Carter, it is unsurprising. Until Matty is taken prisoner, leaving Catherine with a half a sixpence that he gave her as a token of his love, and the baby growing in her womb.