Judy glanced at the bare shelves in the larder and she knew that this was an offer she could not refuse. She nodded. ‘Thank you. It would certainly keep us in business.’

Ben raised his cup to her in a toast. ‘Here’s to the future, Judy.’

‘Perhaps you’d better see your room before you make a final decision, Doctor.’

Judy’s efforts at creating a comfortable guest bedroom were rewarded by Ben’s enthusiastic comments, and he booked the room there and then.

‘It’s a priceless view,’ he said earnestly. ‘I’ve grown used to looking out at the backs of terraced houses in London, with stray cats howling all night and feral dogs barking. Even in a respectable square the privies still smell appalling, but here I can breathe easily and enjoy the scent of the countryside and the view of the sea in its ever-changing moods.’

Judy stared at him in surprise. ‘My goodness, I didn’t realise you were so poetic. I know you’re a good doctor and I’m beginning to suspect that you’re an excellent businessman. You are full of surprises.’

He turned to her with a rueful smile. ‘I must seem like a very dull chap to someone like you.’

‘I never thought of you in that way,’ Judy said hastily. ‘I was told that they worship you at the London Hospital.’

He laughed. ‘All because of the silly pun on my name. It doesn’t mean anything.’

‘That’s as may be, but you are highly thought of. I can tell you that from first-hand experience.’

He gave her a searching look. ‘Do you share their opinion?’

His comical expression made Judy laugh and she shook her head. ‘Now you’re fishing for compliments. Are you saying yes to the room? If so I’ll try and find some more rugs to make it more homely, and maybe I can find a better mattress for you.’

‘Stop worrying. Of course I’ll take the room. Don’t even think of allowing anyone else to book that one. I can return to London safe in the knowledge that I have a place to lay my head even if I arrive late in the evening.’

Judy held out her hand. ‘I agree to that.’

‘We’ll be a partnership of sorts, Judy.’ He held her hand rather longer than was necessary to seal a bargain. ‘Now there’s just the question of money. I suggest we go downstairs and discuss the price.’

Judy had good news for her mother when she returned from Maldon late that afternoon. They unloaded the meagre amount of supplies that Hilda had brought back with her, leaving the keg for Nate to bring into the taproom when he had finished unharnessing Major. Judy was bubbling with excitement, and she could not wait to show her mother the princely sum that Ben had left to secure the reservation of the best room. She hurried her into the parlour where she had stowed the leather pouch behind a cushion on one of the chairs.

‘I’ve never had so much money,’ Hilda whispered, glancing over her shoulder as if she were expecting someone to be spying on them.