‘Yes, I can manage, thanks.’

‘I’m Seth Trundle. I knew there was trouble when the horse trotted into our yard half an hour ago. I says to my pa, that’s no old nag, Father. I bet there’s trouble up yonder. I’d best go and see who needs help.’ He climbed up to sit beside Judy. ‘We’ll be home in no time at all. I told Ma to put the kettle on the hob because some poor soul must be suffering in the cold. Nasty weather, and likely to continue for some days.’ Seth flicked the reins. ‘Walk on Skipper.’

Judy’s teeth were chattering too much to allow her to speak, and Seth did not seem to need answers to the questions he fired at them, barely stopping for breath. Rob was silent as he was bounced around on a bed of straw in the back of the cart, and Judy sighed with relief when she saw the lights of the Trundles’ farm getting closer. Seth actually stopped talking for a while as he helped her to alight and then turned his attention to Rob. Two sheepdogs raced up to them, but subsided instantly at a word from Seth.

‘Come this way, if you please,’ he said politely. ‘Ma will look after you, lady. And Pa will tend to you, mate. He’s used to patching me up when I’ve had a fight. I got a fierce temper when roused, but you don’t need to worry about me. I’m as docile as a lamb with people what I like, and I consider that I likes the pair of you.’

Judy exchanged amused glances with Rob as they followed Seth into the farmhouse.

‘Ma, I found ’em. I reckon as how they’ll be ready for a cup of tea, and the lady has hurt her ankle. I could hardly hear myself talk for the sound of her teeth chattering together.’

Mrs Trundle rushed forward. ‘Pull up a chair for the young lady, Seth.’ She guided Judy towards the table. ‘Sit down, my dear. I’ll give you a nice hot cup of tea and then we’ll see to your injury.’

Farmer Trundle rose from his seat by the range. ‘So what were you doing driving out on a night like this, I might ask, sir? Is it an elopement? If it be then I cannot condone such behaviour, being a God-fearing man.’

‘No, indeed, sir,’ Rob said firmly. ‘Miss Begg and I are just friends. Our journey was ill-judged, I admit, but it’s easy to be wise in hindsight.’

Judy picked up the cup and sipped the hot, sweet tea that Mrs Trundle had placed on the table in front of her. ‘It was my fault, Mr Trundle. I insisted on getting home to Little Creek tonight. I knew that my mother would be worried sick if we didn’t arrive.’

‘Well, miss, you might have perished out there in the bitter cold if my boy had not had the forethought to go looking for you.’