Katie nods, looking from their children to Demelza with a smile. She's stubborn herself, God knows, intent on making her own way in the world. There were times that was to her detriment, she'll admit. Her insistence on being able to do things herself may have killed her in the end, for all she knows. But most of the time, it comes out in the wash and the satisfaction is worth the struggle.

"My father died when I was a teenager," she says, "so it was just my mom and the four of us. I wanted to strike out on my own as soon as I could so she wouldn't have to take care of me." She lets out a small laugh. "And because I wanted to be independent and I thought I was old enough." She doesn't think it was leaving home that was the mistake in the end. It was David. "I get wanting to do things for yourself. I think it's the best way to learn. And not just in school."