She fixed him with a hard stare. ‘Don’t you have work to do? I mean, are you really a gentleman of leisure?’

‘I wouldn’t claim to be a gentleman, but I can afford to spend my time as I wish, thanks to the money left to me by one of my relatives who was transported to the penal colony in New South Wales. He made a fortune in the goldfields but he died childless.’

‘I thought your family were smugglers.’

He chuckled. ‘Yes, among other things. I want to make the name of Dorning respected, if that doesn’t sound too pretentious.’

‘No, I don’t think it does in the slightest.’ Judy turned her head away, staring at the creek as it splashed over rocks and fallen tree branches. Soon she would be home.

The pale sun shimmered on the silky waters of the estuary and the Crooked Billet seemed to slumber in the hazy light. Smoke curled up from the chimneys and as Rob drew the chaise to a halt outside the front door Judy could see her mother peering out of the window. Within seconds the door opened and Hilda limped out to throw her arms around Judy, hardly giving her time to alight from the carriage.

‘I’ve missed you, darling girl. Have you have a good time in London? What happened to Dr Godfrey? Did he sort out his money problems?’

Judy returned the hug, chuckling. ‘Give me a moment, Ma. I can’t answer all your questions at once.’

‘Of course not. You must be famished after that journey from London. I’ve made a cheese and potato pie especially for you.’ Hilda turned to Nate, who had come running from the direction of the stables. ‘Come and get your dinner when you’ve done what you have to. We’ll have a family meal together for once.’ She hustled Judy into the taproom where Eli, the pig man, was supping ale by the fire. Judy could smell him from where she stood. She smiled and acknowledged him, and a group of fishermen, who frequented the pub after a good catch. The tang of the sea and the aroma of fish hung in the air, battling with the farmyard odour of pigs.

Judy followed her mother to the kitchen where the table was laid with four place settings. ‘There are only three of us.’

‘It’s Rob. He’s taken to having his meals in the kitchen. He says it’s nicer than dining on his own.’ Hilda opened the oven door and took out a large pie with a glistening golden crust, placing it on the table. ‘Now tell me everything before the others join us. What happened to the doctor?’

Judy had a sudden vision of Ben on the night when he attempted to fling himself off the cliff, and she brushed it aside, remembering instead the calm, capable man who treated the destitute patients in Limehouse. She sat down at the table, resting her arms on the scrubbed pine surface as she related the events in London. She came to a halt as Nate burst into the kitchen, bringing with him a gust of cold air, and he threw himself down at the table.