‘Well, Daisy, I’m proud of you for acting in such a Christian manner. My husband will doubtless use this story in his sermon on Sunday. I hope we’ll see you in the congregation.’ Grace sat down suddenly as the train slowed and came to a halt.

‘I’m afraid I only have permission to stay overnight and then I must return to my duties,’ Daisy said hastily. ‘But I’m sure that Dove will bring the little ones to Sunday school as soon as they’ve settled in.’

‘I suppose Dove Fox is a steady young person, unlike her elder brother, and Mrs Boynton is a good woman. I know she’ll do her duty as far as the children are concerned. Their mother must be very grateful to you for going to so much trouble.’

Daisy glanced out of the window. ‘We’re here.’ She felt her spirits lift as she gazed at the neatly kept station with its flowerbed surrounded by small rocks painted white. Daffodils swayed in the breeze and the trees behind the stationmaster’s house were bursting into leaf. She had always thought of herself as a city girl, but she realised with a sense of surprise that she had missed the countryside even though she had only been gone for such a short time.

‘My husband is meeting me with the pony and trap.’ Grace rose from her seat. ‘We could take you to Creek Hall. The babies look far too tired to walk all that way.’

‘That would be very kind,’ Daisy said reluctantly. She had been looking forward to a walk along the river-bank and through the wood, but she had to admit that Pip and Nate, the two youngest, would never manage such a long trek.

‘Right then. I’ll go on ahead and tell John that we have a mission of mercy.’ Grace bustled out of the compartment, the plumes on her bonnet quivering with intent, and as Daisy martialled the children she could see Grace marching purposefully along the platform.

It was a tight squash to get everyone seated safely in the trap, and luckily the children had only one small bag containing their worldly possession. Daisy had also travelled light, safe in the knowledge that she had several changes of clothes at home in Creek Cottage, and soon they were tootling through the country lanes at a brisk pace. The vicar offered to drop them off at the cottage, but Grace insisted that they carry on to Creek Hall, although Daisy suspected that this was due to curiosity rather than kindness. According to Mrs Bee the vicar had tried many times to persuade the late Dr Neville to attend church, but had never succeeded. Daisy suspected that Grace Peabody wanted to inspect the home of the man who had been beloved by everyone in the village, even though he had refused to conform. But if that was the case then Grace was doomed to disappointment as they were greeted at the gates by Mrs Bee and Dove.