‘I can see that you’re busy,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘I’m sure Jack would appreciate a visit from his teacher.’

Elliot leaned down to grab a small boy who was clutching a handful of snow. ‘Take that outside, Benny. You don’t bring snowballs into the classroom.’

The child shrugged and stomped out into the schoolyard where Daisy caught sight of him throwing what remained of the snow at a little girl, who started to cry.

‘Thank you, Mr Massey. I’d better go now, but I’ll tell Jack you’re coming to see him.’

Daisy threaded her way through the crowd of rosy-cheeked children as they pushed and shoved in order to get inside out of the cold. She noticed that, although most were scrubbed clean, their clothes were patched and mended and their shoes down at heel. It was obvious that Little Creek was not a rich village, and she understood a little more of the dilemma that Nick Neville faced. She could only hope that his meeting with the aged aunt would prove fruitful.

The sun was still shining, but the temperature was plummeting when Daisy set off towards home, but as she passed the pub she saw her uncle strolling on ahead with a fishing rod over his shoulder and a wicker basket clutched in his hand. She quickened her pace and caught up with him.

‘You’ve bought the fishing tackle.’

‘I tried it out yesterday. Perkins, the pub landlord, showed me how to cast and we spent a good two hours on the river-bank, until my poor feet and fingers were frozen, but now I’m off to try downstream. We’ll have fish for supper tonight, Daisy.’

‘I look forward to that.’ Daisy fell into step beside him. ‘You seem to have settled in to country living so easily, Uncle.’

‘It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a boy, my dear. Now I’ve got my chance and I’m grabbing it with both hands. I just hope your aunt can adjust, although I know she loves London and she’ll miss the shops and the theatres.’

‘It is a big change, Uncle.’

He turned his head to give her a searching glance. ‘And what about you, Daisy? Are you happy here?’

She was about to answer when something further downstream caught her eye. She grabbed her uncle’s arm. ‘Look, on the river-bank. Oh heavens! I think it’s a dead body.’

Chapter Seven

Daisy broke into a run. She could hear her uncle’s heavy tread as he lumbered along behind her. He was calling out for her to stop, but although her heart was pounding and she was afraid of what she might find, she could not bring herself to hold back. The man was lying face down in the mud and the water was lapping round his ankles. Daisy came to a halt, holding her breath as she gazed down at his inert form. At first she thought he was dead, but a slight movement of his clenched fist was followed by a shuddering breath.