Grinning, she glanced over her shoulder then slipped out of the house, pulling the door to behind her. ‘Miss Olivia’s not lived here since the day of her mam’s funeral.’ Seeing the surprise on Ted’s face, she continued, ‘Sorry, I didn’t realise you weren’t aware … did you know her mam?’

Ted shook his head. ‘I knew she was ill, but that was a long time ago.’

The girl nodded. ‘She was like an angel, heaven sent, not like her husband.’ She checked over her shoulder before continuing. ‘Miss Olivia went to stay with her grandparents straight after the funeral – not that none of us blamed her, of course …’ She got no further. The door behind her was wrenched open and Mr Campbell stood in the doorway, glowering down at her.

‘Get inside!’ he roared before turning his attention to Ted. ‘Who the hell are you and what do you want with my daughter?’

Ted watched the poor maid dash back inside before replying. ‘Don’t you recognise me?’ His eyes bored into William’s.

William studied Ted’s face with a look of total incomprehension. ‘Should I?’

Ted shrugged. ‘I think I’d remember evicting a father and son under false pretences, accusing them of stealing when I knew all along that they’d done nothing wrong …’

William raised his cane in a threatening manner. He had evicted plenty of people over the years – what made this man think he was any different? ‘Get off my property!’ he bellowed.

Realising that William hadn’t clicked, Ted spoke frankly. ‘Is that any way to treat the father of your grandchild?’ He was pleased to see the colour drain from the older man’s face.

His eyes darting wildly around, William hastily descended the steps and didn’t stop walking until he was a good distance from the house. He turned to face Ted, who had followed him. ‘I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s all lies. You’re no more a father than I am a grandfather, so if it’s a cushy spot around the family table and a place in the company you’re after, you can forget it.’

Ted looked at him in shocked disbelief. ‘So it’s true! You told a pack of lies because you feared what might happen if I stayed!’

William Campbell looked blank. ‘Why else would you be here?’

‘To see Olivia!’ Ted snapped. ‘And to find out what happened to our child.’

‘Well, she’s not here,’ said William. ‘You can come in and see for yourself.’ He held an arm out towards the house.

‘I already know she’s not here,’ said Ted. ‘What I want to know is where I can find her.’