He took a second look. Here and there the thatch or slate or cob had been attended to on the buildings. Ashes, rubble or pebbles filled in some of the potholes on the road. He was gratified. It was easier to help those who helped themselves. Days of settling in, attending to his duties and ascertaining what were his responsibilities, had meant little spare time for writing his play.

Luke ventured down into the village next day. He and Jack, accompanied by Cal Barbary for advice on who was trustworthy, signed up workers to start immediately. Cordelia was there too, taking every opportunity to be at Luke’s side, but also genuinely curious about the inhabitants.

Infants fretting half-naked in the dirt were cheered by the biscuits, cake and sweetmeats Cordelia doled out to them. Triggy-toffee, fuggan and sugared almonds soon disappeared down ravenous little throats, grubby hands reached out for second helpings.

‘Very kind of ’ee, miss. Young uns do never get t’have a treat.’

Cordelia looked about for the owner of the humorous, mature voice. It was a tiny elderly woman, wrapped in a faded tartan shawl, with a frilled cap too big for her head. She was sitting on a stack of ragged cushions on a three-legged stool, outside the last of a straggle of cottages, where the sun reached her kindly, crumpled face. A small whiskery dog lay snoozing nearby. Her minute hands leaned on the knob of a walking stick, and Cordelia noticed she had only one foot. She had seen her outside the church yesterday, supported by two women, like a withered root between two upright trees.

‘Would you like something?’

‘Bless ’ee, miss, give it t’ the babes. Begging your pardon, miss, I don’t stand up easy, lost this to blood poisoning many a year backalong.’ She indicated where her black hose ended. ‘My name’s Minnie Drew. I’m ninety-three, outlived my man and five children and I’m the oldest living here.’

‘You must know everything there is to know about Porthcarne, Mrs Drew. My cousin, Mr Pengarron, is eager to put the village into good repair.’

‘That’ll be sumthin’ to behold afore I go up yonder, never seen it afore from the big house. Couldn’t get a meaner spirit than Cecil Doble where we down here was concerned, unless you went by the name of Kinver.’

‘Kinver?’ Cordelia was surrounded by every child for miles around now word had got round about her gift basket. She passed out the contents, listening avidly to Little Min, as she was to learn was the old woman’s affectionately given title.