‘Did he tell you when to expect him?’

Judy shook her head. ‘It’s none of my business, Ma. We’re just here to provide a service and he’s paid for his room, so he can come and go as he pleases.’

Hilda sniffed. ‘I thought there was more in it than that, at least on his side.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Judy said hastily. ‘I can’t think about anything at the moment other than the task in hand. I’m going to bring as many logs in as I can, and I’ll get Nate to fetch coal and water. We’re getting ready for a siege.’

Hilda put her head on one side. ‘Someone’s hammering on the front door, Judy. I think it’s started.’

Chapter Eighteen

Judy stormed through the pub ready to take Jay on single-handed, but to her surprise it was Jack who stood outside, stamping the snow off his boots.

‘Let me in, Judy.’

She hesitated. ‘No. I can’t. We’re not leaving here, Jack. I don’t care what you say.’

‘I want to talk and I’ll freeze to death if I have to stand here much longer.’

‘Is this a trick?’

‘No, on my honour it is not. Jay told me what he’d done and I don’t agree with him. Let me in, please.’

She drew back the bolts and unlocked the door, opening it just far enough to look out and make sure that Jay was not loitering outside. ‘Come in.’

He pushed past her and went straight to the fireplace where he stood, warming his hands.

Judy locked and bolted the door. ‘Why did you come here, Jack? What do you want?’

‘A tot of brandy might help to warm me up. I’ve grown used to a much balmier climate in Australia. You’d love it there, Judy.’

‘You didn’t brave the snow just to tell me that, did you?’

‘It wasn’t my main reason for coming. I do care about you, Judy, despite what you think of me. Jay told me what he’d done and I tried to persuade him to give you more time, but once he’s made up his mind to something that’s the end of it.’

‘We’re not leaving because we haven’t anywhere to go. We’re staying put at least for the time being and you can go back and tell Jay so.’

He straightened up, giving her a searching look. ‘What happened to you, Judy? You used to be so biddable and nice.’

‘I’ve learned to stand up for myself and my family. Jay might own this place, but he can’t just throw us out on a whim. If he wants us to leave he’ll have to prove ownership, and also give us time to find somewhere else to live.’

‘Yes, I see that. But it’s not my fault, Judy. I can’t control my brother.’

‘And yet you went with him to the other side of the world. You left without a word to me.’

‘I asked you to go with me.’

‘It was more of an order than a request. You expected me to leave my family and travel across the world. I might have ended my days as an unpaid servant.’