But at last the gatehouse was fully furnished. Judy stepped back to gaze critically at her work in the front parlour. All it needed now was a fire burning brightly in the grate, and a few vases of spring flowers. With a picture or two on the walls, and the welcoming smell of baking bread, it would be a home that would make anyone proud. She had done all she could, but there was always some small improvement that might come to mind and would bring her back to the house yet again. She put on her bonnet and gloves and picked up her shawl. It was time to return home, although she was not really needed at the inn. Molly and Jack had more or less taken over everything, except the preparation of food, which had always been Hilda’s domain, and Judy found herself demoted to the position of general help. The gatehouse had given her something to do that had given her a purpose as well as pleasure.

She sighed as she let herself out into the balmy spring afternoon, but she hesitated as she was about to climb onto the driver’s seat of the chaise. In the distance she could hear the sound of men’s voices chanting, or were they singing? This far off it was hard to tell, and she was curious. The horse that McArthur had loaned her was young and eager to be off and needed only a word from Judy to trot on at a brisk rate, even though it was uphill to the building site.

‘Whoa, Skipper.’ She reined him in as they approached a small crowd of workmen, who had apparently put down their tools to sing hymns. Judy stood up in the footwell and sat down again abruptly when she saw who was conducting the unlikely choir.

Jay was dressed in black from head to foot and he was conducting the hymn with more energy than expertise. Judy waited until the singing came to an end, and the workmen bowed their heads while Jay recited a prayer.

‘Go in peace, brothers,’ he said grandly, and the crowd dispersed, leaving Jay to step down from the wooden crate on which he had been standing.

‘Judy.’ He walked towards her, arms outstretched.

She stared at him in astonishment. ‘What are you doing here, and why are you dressed like that?’

‘I don’t blame you for being sceptical, Judy. I know I’ve been a bad man, but I’ve seen the error of my ways, and I’ve repented. I’ve put my past well and truly behind me and I’m continuing the good work that my stepfather started.’

Judy stared at him in amazement. ‘But he was a fake and a bully.’

‘He repented, as have I.’

‘And now you’re a preacher?’

‘A lay preacher, Judy. I’m still studying, but I’ve had the call, and I’m a reformed character.’

‘You’re going to go round telling people how to behave?’

He smiled. ‘I know it sounds unlikely, but I’m not the man I was. God has spoken to me and I have listened.’