‘Yes, that’s what Nick told me.’ He pulled up a chair and sat down at the table. ‘I’ll come straight to the point, Judy. I plan to come down to Little Creek much more often. We have backers for the project to buy Creek Manor. I want to supervise every detail of the design and building, so it would be very useful if I could book a room here on a permanent basis.’

‘But you always stay with Dove and Nick.’

‘And they’ve been most hospitable, but I prefer to be more independent. They have their own lives with their family, and if I were to reside here I’d be that much nearer to Creek Manor.’

Judy eyed him doubtfully. ‘It’s not luxurious accommodation. We have a guest room, but it’s quite basic.’

‘All I need is a comfortable bed and a good night’s sleep with a decent breakfast in the morning, and some supper when I return in the evening. I know that you’re a good cook because Mrs Bee told me you’d been trained in the kitchen at Creek Manor.’

‘I can show you the room, and you can decide then,’ Judy said warily. She finished grinding the coffee beans and tipped a measure into a jug, filling it with boiling water from the kettle. She allowed it to stand before pouring the dark liquid into a cup. ‘I’m afraid we haven’t any milk or cream,’ she said apologetically, ‘but there is some sugar.’

‘It’s perfectly all right like this,’ he said, chuckling. ‘Stop worrying, Judy. I’m not here to criticise, in fact the very opposite. I admire your spirit and I’m here to help.’

She sat down opposite him. ‘In what way?’

‘This inn would get a lot of trade when the building work starts on the new hospital. You might find yourself almost too busy, but you will need to stock the bar and cellar, and the larder, too.’ He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to argue. ‘I know what you’re going to say, but I can help by reserving your best room for my personal use when I’m in the vicinity. I can pay in advance.’

‘Why would you do that?’

‘Because the pub in the village wouldn’t be able to cope with the sort of influx of workers, surveyors and architects that will come to Little Creek. Besides which, there is a landing stage and a slipway, which means that barges carrying the materials for building the hospital could unload here and be transported to Creek Manor by road. It’s in the interests of the new hospital to keep the Crooked Billet in business.’

Judy was not convinced. ‘But the docking facilities haven’t been used for as long as I’ve been living in Little Creek.’

‘That’s not a problem. They could be rebuilt if necessary and I’ve already received part of the funds necessary. I’m putting up some of my money and the investors will be contributing the rest. What do you say, Judy? Will you allow me to help you?’