‘Do you think I might manage it?’ Maggie asked, as they set off, Ray wheeling the tandem between them. She sounded doubtful. ‘I haven’t been on a bicycle since I was a nipper.’

‘Well, you know what they say. Riding a bicycle is like … riding a bicycle! One of those things you never forget. But you’ll be sitting here, remember,’ he tapped the saddle at the back. ‘Don’t get any ideas about being captain!’

He was trying to make a joke but she was too anxious to notice.

‘Have you tried it out yourself?’ she asked.

‘I had a practice yesterday on the drive, to make sure I could steer and brake. It all went well until I lost control and rode right over Mr Tonks’ cabbage patch. He wasn’t too pleased!’

Maggie managed a small laugh. ‘And that’s supposed to fill me with confidence?’

Once they’d chosen their spot on a flat stretch of lawn, hidden from the house and any prying eyes by a beech hedge, Ray straddled the tandem and planted his feet wide on either side of the frame. ‘Right, hop on the back. We need to check your saddle’s the right height. Hold on to me if that helps you balance.’

Maggie took a deep breath, placed one hand lightly on his shoulder and swung her leg over the saddle at the back. Ray felt the tandem sink a little as she sat down.

‘How’s that? Can your feet touch the ground?’

‘Yes,’ she said. Her voice was lighter. ‘It’s not too bad.’

‘Now, put your feet up on the pedals and your hands on the handlebars.’ When she hesitated, he added, ‘I’m holding it. You’re quite safe.’

Once Maggie had lifted her feet off the ground, Ray turned the pedals into the right position and placed his right foot on the top one. All he had to do was lean into it and press down, the wheels would start to move and they’d be off.

Suddenly, he had the jitters. If it all went wrong and they overbalanced, she’d never trust him again. She might even refuse to get back on. He wanted to make a success of this so much. How wonderful would it feel, to make it, eventually, all the way to Maggie’s sister’s billet. For the first time since he’d arrived at Snowden Hall, he had something to look forward to.

Maggie was awfully still in the seat behind him.

Ray turned his head. He couldn’t quite see her but he could feel her there and hear her breathing, coming a little fast. ‘Ready for the off?’

‘Yes,’ she said in a quiet voice.