‘One can but hope.’ Eleanora buttered another slice of toast. ‘I must persuade your uncle to buy a pony and trap. Life would be much more pleasant if one could drive out once a week or so. I miss the shops and the bustle of London, and I doubt if I’ll ever get used to living in the country.’

Daisy had no answer to this and she hurried from the room. She went to the kitchen where she found Hattie seated at the table, enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of toast, while Linnet washed the dishes in the stone sink.

‘My aunt says that Linnet may have the small room next to yours, Hattie. I’ll help her to get it ready, so it won’t cause you any extra work.’

‘I think it’s a good idea. Linnet’s a good worker and I’m not as young as I used to be.’

‘Excellent.’ Daisy tried not to sound too relieved. Hattie was a dear, but she could be awkward and vinegary when she chose. ‘And the other thing is that my aunt has agreed to have your younger brother here until his arm heals, Linnet. Do you think your parents would agree?’

Linnet’s plain face was transformed by a smile. ‘Oh, miss, that would be too good to be true. Mum and Dad get sick every winter and it’s Jack who suffers the most. Us older ones can look after ourselves, but Jack is only a nipper. But …’ she hesitated, frowning, ‘they wouldn’t want charity from no one.’

‘I guessed as much,’ Daisy said quickly. ‘That’s why I’m going to walk to Creek Hall and ask Dr Neville to speak for me. I think your parents might listen to him.’

‘Yes, they would. They respected the old doctor – we all did. The village won’t be the same if Dr Neville goes away for good.’

‘Who told you that, Linnet?’

‘I’m sorry, miss. It’s common knowledge that the old doctor was in trouble moneywise. Stands to reason that Dr Neville will be, too.’

‘Is nothing private in Little Creek?’

Linnet chuckled and turned back to washing the dishes. ‘No, miss. Not a thing.’

‘Well then, perhaps you’d be good enough to take a message to Creek Hall when you’ve finished what you’re doing? I’ll write a note to the doctor, asking him to persuade your parents that it would be in everyone’s best interests if Jack stayed with us, for a while at least. You could look after him and he’d feel quite at home with you living here as well.’

‘It ain’t right to take a child from his ma and pa,’ Hattie said grimly. ‘You shouldn’t interfere in other folks’ business, Miss Daisy.’

‘Don’t be such a wet blanket, Hattie. Having Jack here will lift all our spirits.’ Daisy left the kitchen before Hattie had a chance to argue.

‘They’ve arrived,’ Daisy said, peering from the parlour window. ‘Dr Neville has brought Jack.’

Eleanora rose from the chair by the fire, smoothing her skirts. ‘I don’t know why I agreed to this.’ She followed Daisy into the hall and stood behind her as she opened the door. ‘And I can’t think why I allowed you to persuade me that the boy ought to have Toby’s room.’