There was an arctic silence. Alice and Rosie hid their embarrassed faces as they set about wrapping wet cloths round the swollen ankle. Kenver coughed and looked down at his writing, his mind as blank in knowing what the right thing would be to say now as it was for the next line of his poetry. Oliver drank his tea, slowly, seemingly oblivious of the atmosphere Clem had created but in reality enjoying it. If it wasn’t for the respect he held for the others of the household he would have baited Clem further.

The appearance of Morley Trenchard broke the silence and there was a rush of voices to tell the tale of Rosie’s misfortune once more. He removed his hat in respectful acknowledgement of Oliver’s presence in his home – usually he took it off only when saying grace at the meal table. Morley settled down with an enormous mug of tea to talk over farming methods with Oliver who congratulated him on the hard work he had put in to make his farm prosper; he made no reference to Clem’s contribution. Kenver listened. Alice folded the washing. Rosie rubbed at her aching leg. Clem stood stiffly, and Jessica, growing bored with the ‘grown-up’ talk, wriggled free from him and ran outside.

Morley was honoured to have the Lord of the Manor and his landlord as a guest in his home. It would have been an enjoyable occasion if not for Clem’s attitude, but while he regretted that, Morley understood his son’s feelings towards the man who had stolen his bride. They were two fine men, his son and Sir Oliver Pengarron. It was a great pity they could never be on better terms.

Oliver was about to take his leave when Jessica reappeared carrying the farm’s one tame cat. Heading straight for Oliver she promptly dropped the fat ginger animal into his lap, saying in her squeaky soft voice, ‘I got Scrap in to see you, Oli-ver.’

Oliver sprang up as if the cat was made of hot coals. ‘Ugh! I can’t abide eats!’ Scrap protested as she hit the floor heavily and darted outside. Jessica, frightened and confused, ran to Clem and clung to his legs. ‘I’m sorry,’ Oliver said thickly. ‘If you’ll excuse me I really must be going.’

As the door closed behind Oliver, Alice looked about her in shock. ‘What on earth happened? Why did he rush out like that?’

‘Didn’t you know?’ Clem laughed with real hilarity and this being rare everyone looked at him. ‘He’s can’t bear cats near him, his eyes go all runny and he breaks out in a rash!’ He picked Jessica up and hugged her.

With an irritated click of her tongue Alice followed Oliver outside. He was at the well splashing water from a bucket over his eyes.