Rob occupied his room each night, going off early every morning to Creek Manor where the erection of the new house had already begun. There did not seem to be anything that Jay could do, although Judy doubted if he would give up easily. Despite rumours, there had been no further mention of law suits, and Rob did not seem unduly concerned, but Jay’s continued silence was a source of worry to Judy. She had had a long talk with Daisy, and had come away convinced that Jay was up to something that did not bode well for any of them.

The weeks went by and trade picked up considerably with the arrival of the itinerant workmen, most of whom lived in a camp set up in the grounds of Creek Manor. Far from home and working long hours, they came to the Crooked Billet for a brief respite, and in particular for bowls of Hilda’s mutton stew followed by treacle pudding. Judy was kept busy from morning until late at night, working in the bar and helping her mother in the kitchen. Nate was both ostler and potman, and his cheeky good humour made him a favourite with all the customers. It was a hard-working life and not what Judy had envisaged for herself and her family, but they were not in debt, and they had a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. They had won the respect of their friends and neighbours, and that was something neither Jay nor Wilfred had managed to take away from them.

On the odd occasion, when she had a few moments of quiet time, Judy found herself thinking about Jack. He had not contacted her again since their last meeting and that hurt. They might never be lovers, but there was no reason why they could not be friends, and knowing him as she did, she was amazed that he had given up so easily. It came as surprise when she heard that he was planning to return to Australia with Jay. Pip had passed on the news to Nate, having heard it from one of the Walters’ kitchen maids, who was stepping out with Billy, the head groom at Creek Hall. It never ceased to astonish Judy how quickly gossip was passed from mouth to mouth in the village. However, the fact that Jack would leave the country for a second time without saying goodbye was both disappointing and hurtful. She would have liked to see him again before he left, even though it would serve no useful purpose. Their lives had taken different paths, and perhaps it was better that way.

It was early morning on a fine day. The snowy weather was just a chilly memory and there was a definite hint of spring in the air. Judy was in the back yard pegging the washing on the line when she heard the sound of a horse’s hoofs in the lane behind the inn. She did not take too much notice. It was probably the postman or maybe an early customer and her mother would answer the door, but the horse came to a halt outside the stable. She was about to take the empty clothes basket into the kitchen when Rob strolled into the yard.