Mrs Bee was suddenly alert. ‘Where is this public house?’

‘It’s an inn. The Crooked Billet on the headland.’

‘No!’ Mrs Bee clapped her hands to her mouth. ‘That place has been empty for more than ten years. It has a terrible reputation, Judy. You wouldn’t be able to make a living there.’

‘It closed soon after we came here,’ Hilda said slowly. ‘I seem to remember there was a lot of talk about it being used for smuggling, but then so was Creek Manor when the old squire was alive.’

‘I’m not suggesting that we encourage free-trading,’ Judy said, laughing. ‘I think we could run an inn together, and the boys could manage the stables and help in the bar. We would have a home again, Ma, and it would be ours.’

‘There’s just one problem.’ Mrs Bee looked from one to the other. ‘The building might be empty but it belongs to someone. Have you thought of that, Judy?’

Chapter Ten

No matter what anyone said, Judy was not going to be put off, and she had a surprising ally in Dove, who took her side when Nick was adamant that taking over the Crooked Billet was a terrible mistake. It was Dove who insisted that they take Hilda to view the premises later that afternoon.

‘After all,’ she said, fixing her husband with a steely look, ‘it was my brother who let Judy down. They were all but engaged before Jack took off for Australia with Jay and our mother. My brothers have a lot to answer for, especially Jay.’

Nick shook his head. ‘You can’t hold yourself responsible for the sins of your brothers, my love. But the Crooked Billet has a terrible reputation, and even if we could find out who owns the land on which it’s built, I doubt if anyone could make an honest living out there.’

‘I think you’re wrong,’ Judy said firmly. ‘All we want is a home and enough money to live on. I don’t expect to make a fortune, but we would run an honest business.’

‘Of course you would.’ Dove slipped her arm around Judy’s shoulders. ‘They deserve a chance, Nick.’

‘I can’t stop you.’ He sat down at his desk and opened a ledger. ‘Take the carriage and Billy will drive you out there, but make sure you get home before dark.’

Dove smiled and blew him a kiss. ‘Thank you, Nick. I promise to give them the best advice I can. If I think it’s impossible, I’ll say so.’

‘Shall we go now?’ Judy said anxiously. ‘We don’t want to be there after dark, unless you have a lantern or two we could take.’

‘We’ll leave as soon as Billy brings the carriage round.’ Dove opened the door, turning to her husband with a gentle smile. ‘We’ll be back in time for supper, darling.’

Judy was anxious as Billy drew the carriage to a halt outside the Crooked Billet. A cold east wind set the inn sign swinging wildly on its one remaining hook. Dark clouds obscured the horizon and Judy felt the first drops of rain as she unlocked the front door. She held it open for her mother and Dove to enter the building, leaving Billy to see to the horses.