“That was such an imposition. Some aged people do rather take liberties. Give them a walking stick or a speaking trumpet and they consider the rest of humanity to be at their beck and call.”

“I was happy to do it.”

She took my arm. “The vicar wants to say hello, and I’ve hardly spoken to you today.”

“Sorry but I have to leave in about five minutes. I have an appointment.”

“Ah, your essay?”

“That’s finished. Something has come up—a case. I’m meeting my assistant.”

“Goodness, that sounds important. You will come back?”

“Either that or I’ll send someone. It’s been really kind of you to put me up.”

It was likely, once I reported what I knew, she would never want to see me again. I hated the thought that it would be mutual. The sooner I left the better. I felt such a surge of regret and I had a sudden hope that Mrs. Dell was wrong.

“Well if you must go.” She stepped outside with me. “Before you go, is my embroidery pouch with those dreadful letters in your room?”

“Sorry, no, but I will return it.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought to help solve the riddle of who wrote the letters, but you’ll know that already.”

“Why should I?”

“Because you wrote them. What I don’t understand is why.”

“You’re wrong.”

“There was one set of fingerprints, Gertrude.”

“Yours then.”

“Why did you do it?”

She gave a small smile. “I thought you’d hear things. I wanted you to know there are vicious people about. People are blaming us for closing the Bluebell Home. God knows why. It was good all the time we had it, and after we’d found placements there were only eight children left. No one blames the authorities about the home in Rothwell where the children are known to be cowed and miserable. It couldn’t go on. It’s as simple as that.”

“So you blew up a few trees one night, caused a commotion, said the site was dangerous and must be demolished.”

She was silent, her face stony, and then she gave a bitter laugh. “Holier than thou. You’ve never had to provide a living for a whole community. You don’t know what it’s like when everybody looks to you for a livelihood. Miners, tenant farmers, shopkeepers, railwaymen, all on your land, all wanting a living whether they can earn it or not. What about me? What kind of life do you think I have?”

“You have –”