The answer was no. The vixen’s bright-eyed face vanished and no more was seen of her. They watched the dog fox in a fascinated silence until it moved off in a rapid fluid movement among the trees. After waiting a few more minutes Oliver released his hold on Rosie and lifted the flap of wood back in its place and latched it securely. Rosie sat back on the bench, the feeling of his strong arm still about her. Oliver rejoined her, careful not to bump his head on the low roof.

‘Thank you, sir,’ she said, her face shining with utter delight.

‘Why thank me?’

‘For letting me see the foxes with you and for bringing me to this hideout of yours.’ She looked about the building. There was even one of his school diplomas on a wall. ‘This is obviously a special place to you.’

‘It is. I must ask you, Rosie, never to tell anyone else about it. I don’t want to find squatters in it or to have my things stolen. Well, what did you think of my fur-coated friend?’

‘Like I said, beautiful. I didn’t expect his coat to be so dark, he was almost black.’

‘There are a few about like him rather than the reddish-brown variety. The vixen is much lighter.’

Rosie looked at the pictures. Some were painted in water colours, others in oils. All were scenes of woodland, moorland or seascapes. ‘Did you make these pictures, sir?’

‘Some of them, the others were painted by Arthur Beswetherick, the uncle of Miss Ameline who is presently staying at the manor.’

‘I met her the last time I was there helping Beatrice. She has some lovely clothes and her hair was done beautifully in the latest style. I know that because her maid was boasting about it. Miss Ameline happened to see me when she was looking for someone to ask one of the stable boys to saddle a pony for her. She spoke quite nicely to me.’

‘You sound quite surprised, Rosie.’ Oliver looked at her inquisitively. ‘Did you expect Miss Ameline to ignore you?’

‘Some ladies do, but most treat folk like me as very much beneath them. You’re lucky to get a civil word out of some, and some gentlemen.’

Oliver looked at her thoughtfully. ‘Yes, I suppose you’re right. People in my position ought to think more about life as it is for those less fortunate – what it really must be like to be forced to labour for a meagre living or to starve.’

‘But you’ve always been kind to me,’ Rosie said shyly, adding emphatically, ‘You’re kind to everyone.’

‘There’s many who wouldn’t agree with your sentiments,’ he returned philosophically, relaxing his back against the wall of the hideout and putting his booted feet up on the chest.