‘That is unfortunate! But easily done, and I do hope Rosie soon recovers. Luke, would you and Jane like to show Ben the foal? She is growing so quickly, and you will all be bored while we adults chat before lunch.’ Isabelle watched as Georgina, the baby of the family, crawled around the room, leaving fingerprints on the highly polished furniture. ‘I’ll ask Lily to take charge of Georgina while we enjoy one another’s company. If that is alright with you, Harriet. Lily’s got a good way with children, and it is a pity she has no family of her own and will be leaving our service soon.’

‘I’d prefer that Georgina stayed with me; she does not know who Lily is and doesn’t like strangers.’ Harriet looked worried and glanced across at Danny for support.

Archie had said nothing up until this point. He looked around at his grandchildren and thought that he’d rather enjoy their company than sit in the newly decorated parlour of Windfell. ‘I’ll take Georgina out with me, and we will all go and see this young foal. It’ll give you four a chance to catch up in peace and say what you want, out of my earshot.’ Archie picked up young Georgina, noticing the worried look between Danny and Harriet as he held her tightly in his arms. He laughed as she tried to pinch his pocket watch out of his pocket. ‘Come on, li’l ’un, let’s go and look around outside while the grownups talk. Jane, you open the doors; and you two lads behave yourselves, otherwise you’ll have me to answer to.’ Archie made his way out of the parlour like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, with his grandchildren around his feet. It had been the excuse that he had needed. He still hurt when he thought of Charlotte sitting in the chair that Isabelle had now claimed as her own.

‘Would you like a sherry, Harriet and Danny? Or perhaps a cup of tea?’ James looked across at the couple, who rarely visited them, and noticed Harriet’s worried gaze once the children had left her side. He wanted to make them both feel at home.

‘A cup of tea would be grand, James.’ Danny stood up and looked out of the parlour window, turning round as James rang the bell for Thomson to come running, on command. ‘So, you’ve settled in, I see. I like the new wallpaper, Isabelle, it must have cost a pretty penny.’ He looked round at the newly decorated parlour and grinned at James, who was shaking his head in despair.