LITMIR.BIZ

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our separate ways.’

      ‘Perhaps someone ought to inform Jay that his parents are ill?’

      ‘You’re right, of course, although I wouldn’t know how to contact him. I’ve been away from the village for a very long time.’

      ‘But Mrs Bee might be able to help. You said that she knows everyone.’

      ‘Again, you’re quite right. I’ve learned how to diagnose and deal with disease, but it seems I still have much to learn about dealing with patients’ problems. Maybe I’m more suited to working at a big hospital or in Harley Street. Perhaps Toby has the right idea.’

      ‘My brother isn’t like you, Nick. I think you would make a very good country doctor, and I suspect that the people in places like Little Creek are in desperate need of your services. London is full of hospitals and doctors’ practices, but you said yourself that the villagers have had no one to look after them since your father passed away.’

      ‘That is true but my position is untenable. If I can’t make the repayments to the squire I’ll have to sell the property.’ He concentrated on the road ahead. ‘Anyway, that’s my problem. Will you stay in Little Creek? You didn’t seem too keen on the idea yesterday.’

      ‘It’s different for me,’ Daisy said, sighing. ‘I really don’t want to go back to being a governess, but I’m not qualified to do anything else.’

      ‘Then we’re both at a crossroads, and neither of us knows which way to go.’

      He drove on in silence until they reached Creek Cottage, where he reined in and drew the horse to a halt. ‘Come to dinner this evening, Daisy. I’ll show you the rest of Creek Hall and you’ll see the extent of my problem. Nothing has been done to preserve the old house for many a year despite my father’s attempts to renovate the building. I’m afraid it might be too late to save it now.’

      ‘That’s not the most exciting invitation I’ve ever had,’ Daisy said, laughing. ‘But I would like to see more of the house. It just needs some loving care to bring it back to life.’

      Nick leaped to the ground and helped her to alight from the chaise. ‘I’ll call for you at six, if that’s convenient.’

      ‘Thank you. I’ll look forward to it.’

      Dove served their meal in the dining room. Candlelight reflected off the old oak panelling, adding to the feeling of warmth and comfort, and the steak and kidney pie was excellent, but Daisy’s thoughts were with the Fox family, living in squalid conditions less than a mile away.

      ‘You aren’t eating, Daisy,’ Nick said gently. ‘Isn’t the food to your liking?’

      She looked up with a start. ‘No, I mean yes. The pie is delicious. I was thinking of Jack and his family.’ She hesitated, at a sudden loss for words.

      Nick sat back in his chair, eyeing her thoughtfully. ‘Their situation really bothers you, doesn’t it?’

      ‘Yes, but I hope I didn’t show it in front of Jack’s father. I should imagine he’s a very proud man.’

      ‘You were very quiet. It’s more what you haven’t said than anything else.’

      ‘Is their home part of your estate?’

      ‘It was once, but my father sold the properties in the hope that the new landlord would make the necessary improvements. Sadly this doesn’t seem to have happened.’

      ‘Did you say that the squire owns them now?’

      ‘Yes, I did. The wretched fellow lives in the manor house on the other side of the river, and I should think he owns half the county. He’s also the local Justice of the Peace.’

      ‘Perhaps someone ought to tell him that his tenants are living in slum conditions.’

      ‘He’s not the sort of man who would take kindly to criticism, even if well meant.’

      ‘I don’t like the sound of Squire Tattersall. Thank goodness my aunt owns Creek Cottage.’

      ‘She might own the building, but I dare say the squire retained the leasehold. I believe he is an astute businessman, whatever people say about him.’

      ‘I’ll have to ask Aunt Eleanora, although she might not be aware of such a thing. The cottage was left to her by a relative.’

      ‘Then I suggest she takes advice from a solicitor. Tattersall is not the sort of man to be sentimental when it comes to money.’

      ‘Maybe if he saw how the condition of the cottages affects the health and wellbeing of his tenants he might do something about it.’

      Nick smiled and shook his head. ‘You have more faith in mankind than I have, Daisy. Let’s enjoy our meal and then I’ll show you the rest of the house. It looks slightly less shabby by lamplight.’

      Dove brought the dessert, and after a generous helping of jam roly-poly smothered in creamy custard, Daisy was ready for the promised tour of the house. But Mrs Bee hurried into the morning parlour with the news that it was snowing again, and the road might soon become impassable.

      ‘You’d better take the young lady home, Doctor,’ Mrs Bee said in a tone that did not invite discussion.

      ‘You’re right, of course.’ Nick rose from the table. ‘I’ll fetch the trap and bring it round to the front door. You will see the rest of the house one day, Daisy. I promise.’

      Mrs Bee followed him from the room, returning moments later with an umbrella and a travelling rug, which she handed to Daisy. ‘You’ll need these, miss.’

      ‘Thank you, Mrs Bee. And thank you for a wonderful meal.’

      ‘You’re welcome, miss. It’s good to see the doctor so cheerful. I’ve known him since he was a little boy and he took his pa’s death very much to heart.’

      ‘You’ll miss him if he decides to go away again.’

      ‘If that happens it will be the end of Creek Hall. He’d almost certainly have to sell it and who knows what would happen then? I wouldn’t want it to get into the hands of Squire Tattersall.’

      ‘You’re the second person who’s led me to think that the squire isn’t a good man.’

      ‘I can only repeat what I’ve heard, but apparently he’s ruthless in business and shows no mercy as a magistrate. His poor wife died young, and they say that he drove her to an early death, but I wouldn’t know about that. All I do know is that he’s a bad landlord and his tenants live in fear of him.’

      ‘Well, I don’t think I want to meet the squire. I’ll take care to avoid him.’

      ‘Very wise, miss.’ Mrs Bee walked over to the window and peered out into the darkness. ‘I thought I heard the rumble of wheels. The doctor is waiting for you. Best hurry, miss. The snow seems to be falling faster.’

      Nick was waiting to help her on to the driver’s seat and he wrapped the rug round her knees. ‘I’m sorry we’ve had to cut the evening short, but we’ll do this again when the weather improves.’

      Daisy unfurled the umbrella and held it over him while he climbed up to sit beside her. ‘I look forward to it. I think I’m falling under Creek Hall’s spell even now.’

      ‘Walk on.’ He tapped the horse gently with the tip of the whip. ‘The old house does that to people. I can remember visitors coming when I was a child, and some of them stayed on for days, if not weeks. There were people around all the time and the place was alive. Now it feels as though it’s sleeping, but I don’t want it to slip away from me.’

      ‘You talk about the hall as if it were a living entity.’

      ‘Do I? I didn’t realise I was so fanciful. I suppose everyone feels like that about their childhood home, especially when it was a happy one. What about you, Daisy? What made

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