The two older boys shuffled off to the far end of the large loft, taking one of the lanterns with them.

‘Sit down, Judy,’ Pip said, taking the lead. ‘Tell us what happened?’

She sat on the floor next to Nate and told them what had occurred between herself and their stepfather, without giving too many details, although both the boys were plainly shocked and upset. Nate jumped to his feet and fisted his hands.

‘I’ll give him what for.’

Pip tugged at his brother’s shirt-tails. ‘Sit down, you looney. We can’t do anything without making things worse for Ma. What we have to do is get her away from that brute.’

‘Yes,’ Judy said, nodding. ‘That’s right, Pip. I think I have an idea, but I’m not saying anything yet.’

Nate grabbed her hand. ‘Will it include us? I like it here, but I miss Creek Manor. Mrs Marshall is very kind, but it’s not the same.’

‘If my plan works things might fall into place. I can’t say any more than that.’ Judy glanced into the shadows beneath the sloping roof. ‘Is there room for me to sleep here tonight? I haven’t anywhere else to go.’

Pip pointed to his palliasse. ‘You can have my bed, Judy. I’ll double up with Nate, even if he does talk in his sleep. But you’ll have to leave very early in the morning, because Old Puckett, the head groom, wouldn’t approve of a girl sleeping up here, even if you are our sister.’

‘She can share my bed any time,’ Davey called out from the far end of the loft and was immediately leaped upon by Eric, who pinned him to the floor.

‘That was rude. Say sorry to her.’

Davey threw his smaller friend off with the ease of a dog shaking off a flea. ‘Pick on someone your own size, you little tiddler.’

At this insult, Eric threw himself once again at Davey and they rolled around on the dusty floor like a couple of playful puppies.

Judy smiled at their antics. It was good to be with her brothers again, and if her plan worked out maybe she could reunite her family and they could all live together.

‘I’m worn out,’ she said, yawning. ‘Would you mind if I turn in now, Pip? I’m sorry to take your bed, but as you say, I’ll leave at crack of dawn.’

It was not the best night’s sleep that Judy had ever had. The palliasse was well used and she could feel the floorboards through the crushed straw. Davey snored loudly, while Eric talked in his sleep. She was awakened time and again by the sound of Eric calling for his mother, and the boy’s obvious homesickness wrung her heart. She wondered if that was how Nate was feeling, although he would be too proud to admit such a weakness.

She was still awake when the first light of dawn filtered through the gaps in the roof where tiles had blown off in the gales last winter. The boys were sleeping soundly and she had not the heart to wake her brothers. She had slept fully clothed, removing only her boots, and she picked them up and tiptoed across the creaky floorboards to the ladder, which led down to the tack room, but as luck would have it she found she was not alone.