‘We will be very sorry to see you go, I hope you know that.’

Isobel sat down on one of the best dining chairs, without asking permission. ‘It’s a good situation, and there is a kitchen-maid who would be beneath me, so it would be a promotion, sort of.’

‘I see.’

‘But I would be going back to having just a half-day off each week, and it would be on a Sunday, when the shops and things are closed.’ Isobel paused. ‘And the lady asked me all sorts of questions but she didn’t give me a chance to ask any of my own.’

Ursula waited for Isobel to untangle her thoughts.

‘She walked me around the house so I could see what needed to be done, and then she showed me the kitchen. The house has electricity and I think she was rather proud of it. But in the cold cupboard there was a chicken with its head still on, and there were sausages and some black pudding ready for the Sunday breakfast. It struck me that I’ve hardly cooked anything like that since the start of the summer. Mr Black has stopped expecting his Sunday roast, and even Master Finlay has given up complaining about not having meat on his plate.’

Ursula couldn’t resist a smile. ‘I’m sure Finlay still eats it when he’s out with his friends. And I know for certain that Mr Black enjoys a good meaty lunch when he is at the golf club, so he isn’t missing out. But yes, that little yellow book has changed all of us.’

‘You may be right about Master Finlay. It’s just that, to be honest with you, I’m not sure I could go back to dealing with it all now.’ Isobel stopped, as though she had made a decision. ‘And I would miss everyone. I know I’m only the maid here, and even though I work hard, this is not an easy house to look after. The electricity in that house did look as though it would be a help.’ She smoothed her skirt with her hands, trying to flatten the day’s creases. ‘But I’ve been going over everything in my head ever since I left. I even walked back to the Meadows and sat on a bench so I could have a proper think about it.’ Isobel looked at Ursula. ‘I feel as though I really belong here. You listen to me. That lady was very nice, but she didn’t listen at all.’ She pushed the chair back and stood up again. ‘So I’ve decided that if you want me to stay, I will.’

The ticking of the clock seemed to fill the room.