Judy picked up the brush and smoothed her unruly curls into a suitably neat style before going downstairs to help her mother in the kitchen. She had not had time to discuss Rob’s offer of the house as a part of her wages, but that made it in effect a tied cottage; it put her in the invidious position of being his tenant and not a colleague.

‘What’s up with you?’ Hilda demanded, pausing as she plated up a dish of pie and mash. ‘I thought you’d be delighted to be offered such an important position. Molly told me all about it while you were out with Rob.’

‘Yes, I am, of course, Ma.’

‘Then why the long face?’

‘It’s a lot to think about, and there’s something else. He’s offered us the gatehouse.’

Hilda almost dropped the jug of gravy she held in her hand. ‘He wants us to rent the new house?’

‘No, Ma. We’d live there free of charge in return for my work raising money for the new hospital. It would be part of my wages.’

‘Take this through to the bar, please. Then hurry back and tell me everything.’

Judy took the food to Molly, who sashayed over to a table where a group of workmen were having their supper. Judy left her sister to her task of charming the customers and she returned to the kitchen, prepared for a barrage of questions.

‘Now sit down for a moment and tell me exactly what he said.’

Judy knew by her mother’s tone of voice that it was useless to argue, and she sank down on the nearest chair, but before she could think of something suitable that would satisfy her mother, there was a loud knock at the back door and it burst open to admit Rob.

‘Mrs Begg,’ Rob said without any preamble, ‘I’m a clumsy fellow when it comes to talking about my deepest feelings, and believe me when I say that I’ve never done this sort of thing before.’

Hilda stared at him open-mouthed. ‘Good heavens, Mr Dorning. What can it be that’s brought you out so late in the evening?’

‘As Judy has no father to ask, I think it’s only proper if I put it to you first, Mrs Begg. I want to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage, but I need your permission to do so.’

Hilda took a swipe at him with the dishcloth she was holding. ‘You stupid man. Of course you have my permission. What a pair you are.’ Hilda pointed a finger at Judy. ‘Stop gawping and take your young gentleman to the parlour.’

‘Ma, I’m not ten years old,’ Judy protested, but one look at Rob was enough to convince her that he would go down on one knee in the kitchen if she did not obey her mother. ‘Come with me, Rob. It’s the only way to silence my mother.’

He followed her into the parlour and she closed the door, leaning against it for support. Her knees had suddenly turned to jelly and her heart was beating so fast that she was breathless.