‘I’m so sorry,’ Daisy said earnestly. ‘I had hoped to help, but the squire saw through my attempt to save the situation, and I might even have made matters worse.’

‘I’m sure you did your best, miss.’ Mrs Bee turned her head to glare at Dove. ‘Where’s that tea? I’m parched.’

Dove brought the pot to the table. ‘Luckily the water was almost boiling, but that’s the last of the tea leaves.’

‘This is ridiculous,’ Daisy said angrily. ‘Nick can’t expect you two to exist on so little.’

‘I suppose I’d be paid if I worked at the school.’ Dove poured the tea and Mrs Bee added the milk before passing a cup to Daisy.

‘I would imagine so. I didn’t ask, but surely he wouldn’t expect anyone to work for nothing, unlike Dr Neville. I’ll have words with Nick when I see him next.’

‘Please don’t,’ Mrs Bee said anxiously. ‘I don’t want him to think I’ve complained. I’m lucky to live in such a lovely house.’

‘Something must be done.’ Daisy sipped her tea. ‘If I had any money I’d be glad to help, but I’ve only what’s left of my wages from the Carringtons, and it’s not very much.’

‘I’ll go and see Mr Massey,’ Dove said, taking her place at the table. ‘I love children, so it wouldn’t be a hardship to help out at the school.’

‘You can’t leave me all on my own in this big house. Years ago we had plenty of kitchen staff, not to mention maidservants and a housekeeper.’

Daisy gazed at Mrs Bee in surprise. ‘I thought that the late Dr Neville didn’t make much money from the practice.’

‘Mrs Neville inherited quite a substantial sum of money from a rich relative, but it all went on the upkeep of the house.’ Mrs Bee looked round the large kitchen as if seeing ghosts from the past. ‘She was such a sweet lady – so considerate and kind – it was sad that she died so young.’

‘What happened to her?’ Daisy asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

‘She had several stillborn babes and she died in childbirth when Master Nick was six.’

‘What about the rest of her family? I’m just trying to think of people who might be willing to help Nick now.’

‘She was an only child and there are no close relatives still living, just a distant aunt.’

‘That’s such a sad tale,’ Daisy said, wiping a tear from her eye. ‘Poor Nick, his family seems to be ill-fated.’

‘I’ve looked after Master Nick since his poor mother passed away. I don’t know what else to do.’

‘This old house means so much, not only to Nick but to you as well, and probably the whole village.’ Daisy finished her tea and stood up. ‘There must be something that can be done, and I won’t rest until I have the solution. I’d best be getting home to see how my aunt has fared with the squire. Thank you for the tea.’