With the set of keys in her pocket she left the inn and set off at a brisk pace for Little Creek. It was midday by the time she reached Creek Hall and she found her mother in the kitchen with Mrs Bee. They both welcomed her as if she had been gone for a year, and Mrs Bee made her sit down at the large pine table while she ladled mutton stew into a bowl. Judy was made to eat before she was allowed to tell them where she had been all night. She ate ravenously, mopping up the last of the soup with freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven.

Hilda sat back in her chair, eyeing her expectantly. ‘Now then, love. Tell me everything. I’ve been out of my mind with worry. I didn’t know where you had gone. Not that it was your fault – you didn’t have much choice.’

‘Where is he now?’ Judy asked anxiously. ‘Is he still around?’

Hilda and Mrs Bee exchanged meaningful glances. ‘Well,’ Hilda said slowly, ‘I dare say he’s still there, although I don’t know what he’ll do when the rent collector turns up. I’ve been paying the rent ever since we moved in, and I doubt if Wilfred has any money on him.’

Mrs Bee had been sitting quietly on the opposite side of the table, but she nodded vigorously. ‘He’s been living off you, Hilda. What sort of man does that?’

‘You’re not to go back there, Ma,’ Judy said firmly. ‘You deserve better.’

‘I’m his wife, as he keeps pointing out. I don’t have much choice, dear.’

‘Yes, you do,’ Judy cried passionately. ‘I think I’ve found the ideal place for us. Well, perhaps it’s not ideal, and it needs a bit of work, but nothing we can’t do and it would put a roof over our heads.’

‘You know you can stay here, Hilda,’ Mrs Bee said hastily. ‘I’m sure that Dove would be happy to have you here, and the doctor is too busy to notice. Besides which, you’re a good worker and they wouldn’t want to lose you. That goes for you, too, Judy.’

‘And I’m very grateful to both of them, Mrs Bee.’ Hilda reached across the table to pat Mrs Bee’s hand. She turned back to her daughter. ‘But what’s your idea, love?’

Judy glanced warily at Mrs Bee. ‘Promise you won’t tell anyone.’

‘You can trust me, my dear. I could set the stones alight if I was to tell all the secrets I’ve been privy to over the years.’

‘Go on, Judy,’ Hilda urged. ‘Please tell me. I’d give a lot to turn the clock back to when I was a simple widow, but if you can think of a way to get me free from Wilfred I’ll do almost anything.’

‘How do you fancy being a pub landlady, Ma?’ Judy said, smiling.

Hilda gasped and stared at her wide-eyed. ‘You’re joking, aren’t you?’

‘No, Ma. I’m deadly serious, but it’s not going to be easy and we’ll have to find the money somewhere to stock the bar and to pay for essentials.’