‘I’m afraid she can’t, we’ve sheep to dip this morning and Gwen’s help is needed.’

‘Oh, Dad …’ She whirls round to him. Jack is unable to tell whether her face is flushed from disappointment or embarrassment. Jim remains defiant.

‘I’m afraid that’s how it is with us working folk, Mr Allingham. No time for idle pleasures.’

Gwen glares at her father. Even Jack is discomfited by the farmer’s pointed remark, but the young man appears unmoved either way, though his manner is more reserved as he expresses his understanding.

‘Perhaps another time?’ His charming demeanour returns as he smiles down upon Gwen. Jack thinks he whispers something to her, but if he does, it is drowned out by the raucous crowing of the cockerel in the yard behind them. Yet as Gwen steps back to give Gordon room to remount, he notices a fresh glow about her. Allingham gathers up his reins before tipping the brim of his hat.

‘Good day to you.’

He brings his heels sharply back into the hunter’s flanks and the horse flicks up its head before walking on. Gwen waits until he is out of hearing before rounding on her father.

‘How could you be so rude?’

‘I thought I’d made myself perfectly clear the last time he came sniffing. I’ll not have you running around the countryside with the likes of him.’

‘Dad!’

‘He’s one hell of a reputation, Gwen. I’ll not have him sully yours, even by association.’

‘Village rumour and tittle-tattle.’

‘Where there’s smoke there’s fire.’

‘You don’t know him.’

‘And I don’t want to! I know quite enough about him already.’

Gwen grits her teeth, her breathing fast and furious. When she speaks again, her voice is cold and determined. ‘Well, you can’t stop me. I shall see him if I wish. And if he asks me out riding again, I will go.’

Jim takes a threatening step forward; there is a blatant warning in the subtle tilt of his chin. ‘You will not, young lady. I will not be swayed on this, Gwen. Now you will mind your manners and you will do as I say.’ His voice rises in the face of her contempt. ‘I will not have you associating with that young man, do you understand me? I absolutely forbid it.’

Jack stares at the ground, his fists balled in his pockets. He risks a look at Gwen and sees she is keeping her emotions in check through sheer force of will.

‘Perfectly,’ she replies.

Her begrudging acquiescence defuses Jim’s ire. His shoulders relax, he draws in his chin and grunts with satisfaction. ‘Now hurry up and take that bloody thing up into the house. Those sheep aren’t going to dip themselves.’