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Cathy! It’s freezing.’

      ‘Don’t be such a Nancy. Come over here and I’ll warm you up.’

      As George began to swim over, he could see Cathy’s ample bosom floating in the water.

      ‘Come on, George, put your arms around me and I’ll warm you up,’ she urged.

      George’s loins were stirring and despite the chill, he felt very amorous. ‘Cathy, I think I’ve had enough. I’m getting out.’

      ‘I’ll join you.’

      The two young people found themselves on the riverbank naked, and naturally attracted to each other. George leant over and kissed the young women. Cathy responded enthusiastically and they made love.

      George bade farewell to the buxom maiden from the village and made his way home.

      June 1, 1856

      George had just returned home from his father’s bank where he had been working for the past five months.

      Waiting at the rear entrance was Cathy Haines.

      ‘Hello, George.’

      ‘Hello, Cathy. I haven’t seen you for a while.’

      ‘No, not since we went swimming together on your birthday.’

      He grinned. ‘Yes, you were my most memorable present.’

      ‘I’m glad you think so, as actually the second part of your present is arriving shortly.’

      His grin faded. ‘What do you mean?’

      ‘George, I’m with child.’

      ‘Oh my God.’

      ‘I’m here to ask you to marry me. I don’t want to bring a bastard into this world.’

      ‘Cathy, I don’t know what to say. You’re going to have to leave it with me for a while, so I can determine the best course of action.’

      ‘There is only one course of action,’ she said.

      ‘Leave it with me; I will get in touch with you shortly. Now I’ll have to ask you to leave. My father is due home any time now.’

      ‘Well, don’t take too long, George. The baby is due in September.’ The young woman walked away leaving George in a state of shock.

      George went to his room, and lay upon on his bed staring at the ceiling, his head spinning. He had no idea what to do.

      Should he marry this peasant girl? What would his parents think? Would he be cut off without a penny?

      The clock struck six. He was due at the family dining table, so made his way slowly down the stairs and entered the ornately decorated room.

      ‘Hello, George, you’re a little late this evening. That’s unlike you,’ said his sister.

      ‘Yes, I had a few things to take care of.’

      The maid served the family roast pheasant with vegetables. Their next-door neighbour James Whitmore had been hunting that day and bagged several birds, so he gave two to the Griffiths.

      Pheasant was a general favourite, but tonight George just picked at his food.

      His father noticed his son’s lack of appetite. ‘What’s the matter George? Aren’t you feeling well?’

      ‘Not really Father, in fact, may I be excused?’

      ‘Yes, you may. Is there anything we can do to help?’

      ‘No, I’ll just go to my room and rest for a while.’

      George left the table and returned to his room where once again he lay upon his bed. He had no idea what to do. He decided to retire early. Maybe he would wake up with a solution.

      The next morning, he woke to the same conundrum. He decided the only option open to him was to divulge his situation to his father. Therefore, after breakfast, George asked his father if he could have a conversation with him in the study.

      Harold motioned him in and they sat down. ‘Well, son what is it you wish to discuss with me?’

      ‘Sir, I have been a fool. It seems I have made one of the girls in the village pregnant.’

      ‘Oh my God, do you love her?’

      ‘I hardly know her.’

      ‘What’s her name?’

      ‘Cathy.’

      ‘Does she have a last name?’

      ‘Sorry, yes, of course, Haines.’

      ‘Did you know her father’s one of my tenants? He’s one of my best.’

      George sighed. ‘So, what do you think I should do?’

      ‘You don’t have too many options. You either marry the girl or pay her off.’

      ‘I don’t want to marry her. She’s below my station.’

      Harold frowned. ‘You don’t have much of a station in life at this very moment, George.’

      ‘No sir, I suppose I don’t. Would you lend me the money to pay her off?’

      ‘How much were you thinking?’

      ‘I’m not sure.” He looked helpless. “Do you think £1,000 would be enough?’

      ‘Well, if I were her I’d refuse,’ Harold said dryly. ‘I would think a figure more like £2,000 would be appropriate.’

      ‘That’s a lot of money, Father. I’m not sure how I could pay it back.’

      ‘Don’t worry about that now. What you need to do immediately is contact the girl and make the offer.’

      ‘Thank you, sir, I appreciate your support.’

      ‘Don’t thank me, George, I’m doing it for your mother and myself more than anything.’

      George rode into Yeovil next morning with the intention to make the offer to Cathy. She worked at the village bakery, and as George entered the shop, she was bringing a tray of pies out from the wood-fired oven. She saw George and indicated that he should meet her at the rear of the shop.

      ‘Hello, George. Have you decided to make an honest woman of me?’

      ‘Not exactly.’ Before she could respond, he stumbled on, ‘Cathy, I am willing to pay you £2,000 to assist you in raising the child. You will be able to buy a cottage and have money left over.’

      ‘When do I receive the money?’ she asked. Her face gave nothing away.

      ‘I will get an agreement drawn up by my solicitor. You will have the money as soon as you sign it.’

      ‘Let it be so.’

      ‘I’ll inform you when the document is ready to sign. It shouldn’t be more than a week.’

      The two young people bade one another farewell. George returned to the bank and Cathy returned to the bakery.

      Cathy couldn’t help thinking about the money all day. She was champing at the bit to finish work so she could see her true love and give him the news. The payoff would enable them to get married and have their baby in wedlock.

      Cathy’s deception would alter George’s life forever.

      The following week, George arranged to meet Cathy and she signed the agreement, ensuring she and her child would make no further claim.

      The same day Harold summoned his son into his study. ‘George, I hope this has been a lesson to you.’

      George nodded sheepishly, but his father hadn’t finished.

      ‘Your lack of judgment has concerned both your mother and me. We have decided that a reasonable course of action

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