Judy eyed him curiously. ‘How long will it take before you can move in?’

‘The main body of the house should be habitable within a year, maybe sooner. I’ve told the builder to hire as many men as it takes to get the job finished as quickly as possible.’

‘That will bring employment to the village,’ Hilda said with a nod of approval. ‘But it will cost a lot of money.’

‘It will be worth it.’ Rob held out his plate. ‘Another slice of pie would be very acceptable, Hilda, my dear.’

She laughed, shaking her head. ‘You know how to get your own way, Rob.’

‘Yes,’ he said, turning to Judy with a wry smile. ‘I do.’

Nate jumped to his feet. ‘I’d better fetch more coal before the fires go out, but I’ll take that last slice of pie with me. I won’t mention it to the others when I see them.’ He rushed from the room before his mother had a chance to stop him.

‘That boy will be the death of me,’ Hilda said faintly. ‘Whatever happened to manners?’

‘He’s all right, Ma.’ Judy stifled a giggle. ‘I have missed you all. It’s good to be home.’

Hilda sighed and shook her head. ‘Let’s hope business picks up soon, or it might not be home for much longer.’

‘Don’t worry, Hilda.’ Rob reached across the table to pat her hand. ‘I’ll bring in as much trade as I can. I wouldn’t want to see this old place closed or, worse still, going back to the bad old days.’

‘You’re a good man, Rob.’ Hilda squeezed his fingers.

Judy was suddenly apprehensive. Rob Dorning seemed to have charmed Ma and had moved in on a more or less permanent basis. She could not help being suspicious of his motives, but she did not want to upset her mother by challenging him. Men had a way of turning the tables: Faulkner had been charm itself until he achieved his ends; Jack had professed to love her, and then deserted her. As for Dr Godfrey, he had let everyone down, including himself, and was now desperately trying to make amends. What possible reason could Rob Dorning have for working so hard to ingratiate himself with her family?

Judy rose to her feet. ‘I’d better check the bar or Eli will be helping himself to a free drink.’ She left the kitchen without waiting for a response and made her way to the taproom.

‘Yes, Eli?’ She held out her hand to take the empty pewter tankard. ‘Another pint?’

‘No, ta. Got to get back to me pigs or the colonel will dock me wages and the missis will throw a fit.’ He tipped his greasy cap and hurried out of the pub, leaving a waft of the piggery in his wake. Judy picked up a nosegay of dried lavender and held it under her nose, inhaling the delicate scent. She washed the tankard in a bowl of water beneath the counter and was drying it with a clean cloth when Rob joined her.