‘Don’t worry. I’ll sort him out.’ Judy hoped she sounded more confident than she was feeling as she walked over to where Dr Godfrey was slumped over the table. ‘Come on, Doctor. I’ll show you to your room.’

‘I want another drink.’

‘I’ll bring some to you later.’ Judy beckoned to her brother and together they managed to get Dr Godfrey to his feet. It took both of them to get him upstairs to his room, where he collapsed onto the bed and closed his eyes.

‘Are you going to leave him like that?’ Nate asked warily.

‘I’m not going to undress him and put him to bed, if that’s what you mean. He’ll have to sleep it off.’ Judy ushered her brother from the room and closed the door. Nate hurried downstairs and she followed more slowly. It was sad to see a man like Dr Godfrey, who was so respected in his chosen profession, reduced to drinking himself into oblivion. Dr God was paying for his mistakes, and she was sorry for him. She walked into the taproom and was met by Rob.

‘I’m starving,’ he said, smiling. ‘I think I smell rabbit pie.’

‘I’m afraid that’s all we have on the menu.’

‘That’s fine by me. I love pie.’

‘It’s quiet in the bar,’ Judy said cautiously. ‘Would you like to eat with us in our private parlour? Or if you prefer to eat alone …’

‘No. I hate eating on my own. I would like that very much.’

‘Nate has already eaten and he’ll keep an eye on the bar, although I doubt if we’ll get many customers in this evening. People tend to stay at home when the weather is bad.’

She led the way to the parlour and laid the table while Rob made himself comfortable by the fire.

‘It won’t be long,’ she said, smiling.

‘Where is the doctor? Do we have to share a table with him, too?’

‘He’s in his room. He’s a bit tipsy, but I hope he’ll sleep it off. The new hospital was his dream – he just couldn’t make it happen.’

‘That’s just it, Judy. It was an impossible dream. I gather he was representing a group of investors, but he was out of his depth in the business world. He should stick to what he knows and concentrate on healing the sick.’

‘You are a very cynical man, Rob Dorning.’

He chuckled. ‘Thank you, Judy. I’ll take that as a compliment. Now where’s that pie? I’m really looking forward to my meal.’

Judy bit back a sharp retort as she left the room. She knew in her heart that what Rob said was true, and Ben Godfrey was at fault, but she resented the criticism of someone who had wanted to do something good for his fellow men.

She marched into the kitchen. ‘Mr Dorning is hungry,’ she said, taking plates from the dresser and slapping them down on the table.

Hilda looked up from the sink where she had been straining cabbage. ‘I thought you liked him. What’s he said to upset you?’