‘I’ve been thinking,’ Daisy said slowly. ‘Both your brothers work in the stables, don’t they?’

Judy nodded. ‘They do.’

‘And Nate is particularly good with Timmy. I was wondering if he’d be interested in working for us at Colneyhurst. I imagine he would stand more chance of promotion, when he’s older, of course. He’s still very young, isn’t he?’

‘He’s thirteen, but he’ll be fourteen soon. I can’t speak for Nate, but he might be interested.’

‘I’ll have a word with Marius, and our head groom, but I’d like all my boys to be good riders, and Nate seems to have more patience with young children than most boys his age.’

‘Would you like me to find out if he’d consider a move? He’s very close to Pip and he might not want to be parted from his brother.’

‘Yes, Judy. Find out how he feels, because I wouldn’t want him to be unhappy or homesick. They’re both good boys. I’d take the pair of them if it were possible.’ Daisy took Timmy by the hand. ‘We must go now, but I hope the wheelchair works for Jack. He’s very depressed, poor fellow.’

‘It’s all I can think of at the moment.’

‘His accident is one reason why I want my boys to learn to ride while they’re young, and to be taught by someone who’s learned the right way to do things. Anyway, I mustn’t stand chatting. Goodbye, Judy. You’re doing a wonderful thing for Jack. I hope he realises how lucky he is to have you.’

Judy waved goodbye to Daisy as she left the house, holding her youngest son by the hand. Even though she had been a child at the time of Daisy’s disastrous marriage to Jay Tattersall, Judy had great respect for the way Daisy had dealt with the heartbreak and humiliation. She had come through the bad times, and if Jack could follow her example he might recover at least some of his old spirit, instead of giving up on life, as he seemed to be doing now. Judy sighed and pushed the wheelchair into a corner out of the way. It was too late in the day to ask Jack to try it out, but tomorrow she would broach the subject. The wedding was in two weeks’ time and it would be wonderful if Jack could be present.

Next day, after a great deal of persuasion, Jack allowed James to carry him downstairs and Judy had the wheelchair waiting for him. James lowered him gently onto the seat and then backed away.

‘Well?’ Judy could hardly contain her excitement. ‘Is it comfortable? Would you like to go outside and get some fresh air? It’s a lovely day.’

Jack said nothing for a long moment and Judy was afraid he was going to refuse, but then he nodded. ‘I suppose so. Are you going to push this contraption?’

‘Yes, although I’ll need James to help me get it down the steps. From then onwards it’s easy.’ Judy beckoned to James, who stepped forward, and together they managed to get the chair down the front steps and onto the gravelled drive. ‘Thank you, James.’ Judy began to push the chair towards the parterre garden, but Jack raised his hand.