‘I have a feeling you’re not going to let it go at that,’ Hilda said, chuckling. ‘Take that awful scarf off and take the food to him. I’m sure you can turn the conversation your way, if you really want to.’

Judy placed the plates on a tray, together with a spoon and fork. ‘I’ll treat him like any other customer, Ma. Heaven knows, we’ve few enough, so I don’t want to lose a single one.’

Rob was warming himself by the fire and he looked up, smiling as she placed the tray on the table in front of him. ‘Thank you.’

Judy hesitated. She was eager to talk to him, but she could not remain without a valid excuse. Seeming to guess her thoughts, he paused with the spoon halfway to his lips.

‘You haven’t any other customers. Why don’t you take a seat and keep me company? I hate eating alone.’

Judy pulled up a chair. ‘I can spare a few minutes, I suppose. We will be busy later. It’s always quiet at this time of day.’

He tasted the food and nodded appreciatively. ‘This is as good as I hoped. I’ll eat and you can tell me how you came to be running a smugglers’ haunt.’

The twinkle in his blue eyes was irresistible and Judy laughed. ‘It might have been so at one time but I promise you we’re totally respectable now. I don’t know what else I can tell you.’

He nodded. ‘Start at Green Dragon Yard – that was where you were born, wasn’t it?’

Despite her reservations Judy found herself telling him the story of her life so far. She tried to sound casual when she mentioned Jack, but she could see by the alert expression on Rob’s face that he suspected there was more than she was admitting. However, he refrained from asking questions and ate slowly, savouring every mouthful until the bowl was empty. He leaned back in his seat, eyeing her thoughtfully.

‘So where is this benefactor of yours now? The saintly doctor, I mean.’

‘I don’t know,’ Judy said softly. ‘We keep his room ready for him, but it’s been a few weeks since he was last here.’

‘And Mrs Walters suspects that he is taking money under false pretences.’

‘She didn’t say that exactly, but she thinks there is something not quite right.’

‘And you say you keep a room ready for him to occupy at a minute’s notice?’

‘Yes, we do.’

‘I have business in this area and it would suit my purpose if I stayed here tonight. I take it you aren’t expecting the doctor to arrive?’

‘No, but he asked me to keep the room just for him.’

‘But he hasn’t turned up.’

‘Not yet.’

‘Then the room is free and I’m a paying customer. I’d like the room for tonight and maybe tomorrow, and a meal this evening. Can you do that?’

Judy thought quickly. The deposit that Dr Godfrey had left to secure the room had run out, and this was a chance to earn money. She nodded. ‘Yes, of course. I’ll show you to your room when you’re ready, but I’ll go and light a fire to take the chill off before you go upstairs.’