He stopped to kiss her, raising a cheer from Ramsden and Guppy.

‘Come along,’ Grace called from the doorway. ‘Don’t dawdle.’

‘It’s like being back at school,’ Daisy whispered, giggling. ‘But they are very kind and I am really hungry.’

The narrow hallway was dark compared to the whiteness outside, and a smell of beeswax, brass polish and lavender cologne was tempered by a waft of bacon frying and hot toast. Ramsden and Guppy shuffled in, stamping their booted feet on the doormat before following Jay and Daisy into the dining room, where the maid was busy setting the table. The mahogany furniture reflected the warm glow from the fire, and candles had been lit, casting pools of golden light on the white damask tablecloth.

Minutes later they were all seated, heads bowed while John Peabody said grace, and as the last word left his lips his wife reached for the coffee pot.

‘Coffee everyone? Or would anyone prefer tea?’

Ramsden and Guppy exchanged wary glances, shaking their heads. ‘No, thank you, Mrs Peabody,’ they said in unison, reminding Daisy of schoolchildren addressing their teacher.

The maid entered as if on cue carrying a large silver platter piled high with bacon, eggs and sausages, which she placed in the centre of the table.

‘We like to be informal at breakfast,’ Grace said, handing round a rack of hot toast. ‘Do help yourselves. This is a rather odd wedding breakfast, Daisy,’ she added, chuckling. ‘But my husband and I wish you a long and happy life together.’

‘Hear, hear.’ Ramsden helped himself to bacon.

‘Manners!’ Guppy said, nudging him in the ribs. ‘Ladies first, mate.’

‘Sorry.’ Ramsden offered the salver to Daisy.

‘Thank you, Eli,’ she said, smiling as she speared a slice of bacon and a sausage. ‘This looks and smells so good.’

John looked round with a nod of approval. ‘I will use this in my sermon tomorrow. We are gathered together to celebrate the union of a young couple, and the true meaning of family.’

‘Yes, indeed, Vicar,’ Daisy said gratefully. ‘You and Grace have been so kind to us. I can’t thank you enough.’

‘That goes for me, too.’ Jay nodded emphatically. ‘Until now I hadn’t given much thought to the responsibilities I’ve inherited, but I realise there is much more to running an estate than merely collecting rents. From my past experience I know what it’s like to be poor and desperate, and thanks to Daisy I’ve been able to do something very small for my tenants. I will do better in future with the help of my beautiful wife.’ He raised his cup to Daisy. ‘I’ll toast you in champagne one day, Daisy. But until then you have my undying love and devotion.’

Daisy smiled and kissed him, and Guppy sniffed loudly, wiping his eyes on his table napkin. ‘I wish Ma was here to see this. She’s a sentimental soul at heart.’

Daisy tried to imagine Clem Guppy’s mother as anything other than sour and grim-faced, and failed. She sensed that Jay was thinking the same thing and she dared not look at him in case she burst out laughing. The meal continued with sporadic attempts at conversation by Grace and mumbles of appreciation from Ramsden and Guppy, but Daisy knew she would remember her unofficial wedding breakfast in the cosy vicarage parlour for the rest of her life.