‘No, not yet, but it’s not long since he went up to London. I expect he’s busy at that big hospital.’

‘Yes,’ Daisy said vaguely. ‘You’re probably right.’ She hoped her disappointment did not show. It would have been nice to have had a letter, however brief, but Nick was probably caught up in the excitement of starting a new job. Creek Hall must seem like another world, and maybe he had forgotten her already.

‘I don’t suppose Jay will get in touch either,’ Dove said sadly. ‘I’m used to my brother’s absences, but it worries Mum and makes Dad angry. They think he should stay at home and support the family.’

‘Quite right.’ Mrs Bee nodded. ‘The young should look after the old.’

Dove put the kettle on the range and bustled about, setting a tray with cups and saucers from the large pine dresser. She glanced over her shoulder. ‘How is Jack? I keep meaning to come and see him, but there’s always something to do here.’

Mrs Bee sighed heavily. ‘We do our best to keep the house spick and span, Miss Marshall, but it’s not easy with just the two of us.’

‘I’m sure you do an excellent job,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘And Jack is very well. In fact I just left him at school. Mr Massey is going to keep him in at break so that he doesn’t join in the boys’ rough games.’

Dove pulled a face. ‘Jack won’t like that. He can be a little monkey, but he’s a good boy at heart.’

‘Mr Massey is looking for someone to help with the younger children in class,’ Daisy said vaguely. ‘I took the liberty of saying I knew someone who would be suitable for the position, and I thought that you might be interested. Does that appeal to you, Dove?’

‘I don’t know about that.’ Dove glanced anxiously at Mrs Bee. ‘I love it here, even though I haven’t been paid, except in the occasional basket of food that I’ve taken to Mum and Dad.’

Mrs Bee shook her head. ‘You see how it is, Miss Marshall. I haven’t been paid either, not for months.’

‘But how have you managed?’ Daisy stared at her aghast. ‘Dr Neville can’t expect you to stay on under such circumstances.’

‘We’ve been living off the produce from the kitchen garden, and we have plenty of eggs from the hens. Farmer Clarke gives us butter, cheese and milk in return for allowing him to pasture his herd of cows in Ten Acre field, and Dove takes eggs to Miller Jones in return for flour.’

‘But you can’t carry on like this. It isn’t fair. Have you thought of finding another position, Mrs Bee?’

‘Master Nick gave me what he could to buy fuel and paraffin for the lamps, and he’s promised to send money from London when he gets paid.’ Mrs Bee stared down at her gnarled hands. ‘I’m too old to change now, and if I left, where would I go? I’ve no family and no home other than Creek Hall.’