‘Have you heard from him since he went to Australia? It’s hard to imagine that he would abandon his family so completely.’

‘No, Doctor. Not a word, and it’s been ten years since he left us. He probably thinks he’ll go to prison for bigamy if he comes home, so I doubt if I’ll ever see him again.’

‘I’m sorry, it must be very hard for you.’ Dr Neville patted her hand before rising to his feet. ‘I’ll go upstairs and see my patient. There’s no need to accompany me, Mrs Tattersall. You need to rest and take care of yourself.’

‘I’ll try, Doctor.’

He paused by the doorway. ‘Might I have a word with you, Judy?’

She jumped up and hurried after him as he stepped outside into the corridor. ‘What is it, Doctor?’

‘Jack won’t be able to do anything much in the way of running things for quite some time, and Mrs Tattersall isn’t a young woman. Your mother and Mrs Ralston are quite capable of dealing with household affairs and, as far as I can tell, Clem Guppy is a good estate manager, but they need someone to take charge. Someone they can turn to if they need help or advice.’

‘I don’t think I’m the right person, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ Judy said hastily. ‘I’m not family.’

‘It was Jack who brought the matter up, Judy. He begged me to send for you and he has enormous faith in you.’

‘I know Mrs Tattersall wanted me to take over as housekeeper when Mrs Ralston retires, but running the entire estate is not the same thing, Doctor.’

‘I understand, and I have spoken to Mrs Tattersall about it. She’s desperate to keep the estate together, and she had to admit that there is no one else who is as close to the family as you are, Judy.’

‘Yes, but I have no authority when it comes to making decisions about the estate.’

‘Jack trusts you implicitly and, if the truth were told, you probably know a great deal more about day-to-day matters than he does. He’s willing to back up any decisions you make, should you decide to accept the responsibility. It’s just a temporary measure, until he’s recovered sufficiently to take the reins again but, speaking as his doctor, I think that, above all, he needs complete rest and peace of mind.’

‘I really wouldn’t know where to start, Doctor.’

‘Then may I suggest that you visit Colneyhurst and have a word with Daisy? I’m sure she would be only too happy to help you, considering the fact that she ran this place single-handed after Jay deserted her. She had to make it pay for itself and she did a splendid job.’

Judy met his earnest gaze. ‘I’m not entirely convinced, but I’ll go and see Daisy first thing in the morning.’

He patted her on the shoulder. ‘I have faith in you, Judy. I’m going to see Jack now, so I’d like you to come with me. I’ll tell him about Dr Godfrey, and you can calm any doubts he might have.’