‘But Jack isn’t like him, and they are only half-brothers.’

‘I don’t care, Ma. I need time to think, and this business with Jay has only made matters worse.’ She turned her head at the sound of footsteps and Nate strolled into the taproom.

‘What’s for supper, Ma? I’m starving.’

Judy stifled a giggle. ‘Of course you are, Nate. So am I, if it comes to that. You sit there and rest, Ma. Nate and I will see to supper. It might be the last meal we have in the Crooked Billet so let’s enjoy it.’

Judy had half expected Jay to turn up again in the early hours, but, perhaps because of the bitter cold and the lying snow, they had an undisturbed night. Christmas morning dawned bright and clear with the pale sun sparkling on the calm waters of the estuary, and the wildlife in the saltings going about their daily business as usual. Judy quite envied them their settled routine and seemingly endless supply of food. The larder was not quite bare, in fact they had supplies to last for a few days, but there had been no time to bake mince pies or to go to market to buy a fowl for their Christmas dinner. That and the threat of eviction was bound to overshadow what should have been a festive occasion.

She rose from her bed, washed and dressed, and set about the routine chores of lighting fires and making breakfast. She decided to give Hilda a treat and take her porridge and coffee upstairs so that she could enjoy it in the privacy of her room. Hilda was sleepily grateful, but clearly upset because she had no present to give Judy, especially when she opened the wrapping paper on her gift.

‘What beautiful mittens. They’re just what I’ve always wanted, dear girl. How thoughtful of you, but I have nothing to give you in return. I haven’t had time to go shopping.’

‘I had time to purchase a few things in Maldon, and you don’t need to give me anything, Ma. I can’t help feeling a bit guilty for the trouble we’re in.’

Hilda picked up her spoon. ‘Why would you feel guilty, Judy?’

‘If I’d given Jack some encouragement, or given in to Jay’s demands, we might have been sharing Christmas dinner with Dove and Nick and the rest of Jack’s family. Goodness knows what will happen later today.’

‘We owe the Tattersalls nothing. Remember that.’ Hilda swallowed a mouthful of porridge. ‘This is delicious. I hope you’ve had yours. As to the rest, we’ll deal with whatever comes.’

Judy smiled and nodded but she was close to tears as she left the room and descended the stairs. She had just reached the bottom when she heard someone tapping on the front door. For a moment she froze, but then she realised that it could not be Jay – he would be hammering on the door and shouting. She went through the motions of unlocking and unbolting the door and to her surprise she found Wilby, Colonel Catchpole’s gardener, standing outside holding an item wrapped in brown paper.