‘You have?’

‘Of course, but I couldn’t come home sooner.’

‘I suppose you were busy.’

‘I’ve been fully occupied. Just wait until I tell you my news.’

‘I have something to tell you, too.’ She glanced over his shoulder as another figure emerged from the rapidly dispersing steam. ‘Dr Godfrey.’

Rob smiled. ‘He’s part of my surprise, and Dr Marshall is following close behind.’

Judy looked from one to the other. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘It’s good to see you again, Judy.’ Ben Godfrey shook her hand. ‘You’re looking radiant, and I think I can guess why.’ He shot a sideways glance at Rob.

‘I don’t have to ask how you are, Judy.’ Toby Marshall kissed her on both cheeks. ‘Minnie sends her love. She knew I’d be seeing you, although I wasn’t expecting you to meet us.’

‘It was a shower,’ Rob said, slipping Judy’s hand through the crook of his arm. ‘Nick should be here with the carriage, and we’ll go straight to Creek Hall.’ He met Judy’s curious gaze with a smile. ‘You ought to come with us, Judy. This concerns you as well.’

‘Why? What’s going on? Why are you all here?’

‘Wait and see.’ Rob guided her out onto the station forecourt where the Marshalls’ carriage had just arrived. ‘There’s room for all of us.’ He took the basket of groceries from Judy’s hand and lifted her into the vehicle, despite her protests.

‘Steady on, old chap,’ Toby said, chuckling. ‘People will think we’re kidnapping her.’

‘Maybe, but I don’t care. Judy is a part of what we’ve been discussing, and she deserves to be in on our plans from the very beginning.’ Rob placed the basket on Judy’s lap. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll see you home safely.’

Judy felt the warmth of his body as he sat down beside her and she did not move away. It was so long since they had been this close and it was good to be with him again. She felt completely at ease, although she was bursting with curiosity as to why he had brought the two doctors down from London. She did not have long to wait. When they arrived at Creek Hall and the greetings were over, Nick showed them into the drawing room and closed the doors.

Judy looked from one to the other, her curiosity well and truly aroused. ‘I wish someone would tell me what’s going on.’

‘You’re about to find out.’ Rob rose to his feet. ‘I have with me the deeds to land that I’ve donated for the site of a new general hospital.’

Judy stared at him in amazement. ‘You’ve given away some of your estate.’

‘Don’t look so surprised. I must confess that I didn’t have that purpose in mind when I purchased it, but you made me stop and think about my motives, which I have to admit were purely selfish.’

‘Understandably, old chap,’ Nick said firmly. ‘You should have inherited the estate in the first place. I for one will be more than grateful to have this house back as a family home, and the village and surrounding area will have a modern hospital.’