It was mid-afternoon by the time Daisy arrived at Creek Hall. Having left the squire’s horse in Billy’s capable hands, she made her way to the kitchen where Mrs Bee plied her with cups of tea and biscuits, still warm from the oven. Judy claimed that these were all her own work and Daisy sampled one, declaring it to be delicious. Puffing out her chest, Judy wrapped two of the biscuits in a piece of butter muslin.

‘Will you take these to Ma, please, Daisy? Tell her that I made them all by myself.’ Judy shot a wary glance at Dove. ‘I did, didn’t I?’

Dove smiled cheerfully. ‘You did the hard work, Judy. You’ll be a very good cook one day.’

‘And you’re never too young to learn.’ Mrs Bee ruffled Judy’s fair hair, which Daisy noticed had been washed and brushed until it shone like silk. In fact all the children had been bathed and their clothes were clean and neatly ironed, and despite the enforced separation from their mother, they seemed happy. Molly had drawn a picture of a butterfly, which she added to her sister’s offering, while Pip and Nate sat cross-legged on the floor, munching biscuits and dropping crumbs everywhere.

Mrs Bee filled Daisy’s teacup for the second time. ‘So did you accomplish what you’d set out to do, miss?’

‘Unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to speak to the squire,’ Daisy said evasively. She had no intention of telling Dove that her brother had fled the country, and had no intention of returning. ‘I’ll have to try again.’

‘I saw you come riding into the stable yard.’ Dove eyed her curiously. ‘I don’t recognise that horse. It looks like a proper thoroughbred, although I’m no expert.’

‘It’s on loan. The owner will send someone to collect it today or tomorrow.’

‘It just seems a little strange that you had to borrow someone’s horse when Billy could have brought you home.’ Mrs Bee and Dove exchanged meaningful glances.

‘I really must go now.’ Daisy rose to her feet. Any further explanation would involve Jay and she was not very good at lying. ‘I’ll have to return to London later today. I’ll take the gifts to your mum, Judy, and I’ll tell her how good you are all being.’

‘Will you ask her to get better quickly?’ Judy’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Perhaps she can come here when she’s well enough. I want to show her the garden and everything.’

‘We’ll have to see.’ Daisy knew it was an unsatisfactory answer, but bringing children to Creek Hall in an emergency was one thing – whether Nick would take their mother in was another matter. Hilda was bound to have her own ideas on what she considered to be proper. ‘Goodbye. I’ll come again when I have time off from the hospital.’

Mrs Bee saw her to the door. ‘Is everything all right, miss? You look worried.’

‘I’m just tired, Mrs Bee. I’m not used to all this exercise and east coast air is so bracing.’