‘I wanted to ask you about the Dorning family,’ Judy said slowly. ‘Hilda said you knew all about them.’

Daisy’s happy smile faded. ‘They’re a bad lot, all of them. You don’t want to get mixed up with them in any way.’

‘What did they do to turn you against them? Who are they? Hilda won’t tell me much.’

‘They ran a smuggling gang in the Burnham area for many years, and most of them went to prison, or were transported to the penal colony in Australia. Unfortunately, Jay got himself mixed up with them, and it caused no end of problems. I hope they haven’t come back to cause more trouble.’

‘A man walked into the pub yesterday and he said his name was Rob Dorning. He had a drink and something to eat and he was very pleasant, but he wouldn’t talk about himself. I was just curious.’

‘And I suppose he was quite good-looking,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘I’m just teasing you, Judy. I don’t know him personally, but he could be related to the Dornings. Although it doesn’t mean that he’s a criminal like the others.’

‘Ma was very suspicious.’

‘The family have a dreadful reputation, but he might be a perfectly decent fellow. I’d just say be careful.’

‘Why is that? Please tell me anything you know.’

‘It was a long time ago, Judy. You would have been too young to take much notice of what went on around you, but Jay had somehow become involved with the Dorning brothers. Anyway, I was desperate for information and I went looking for them.’

‘Did you find them?’

Daisy shook her head. ‘No. I was told they frequented a disused chapel on the edge of the marsh, some three miles south of Little Creek. Perhaps it was fortunate for me, but they weren’t there and I had to return home, having achieved nothing.’

‘I do remember the servants talking about Jay, but I didn’t pay much attention to what they were saying.’

‘Jay was bold and charming, and I was quite smitten with him at first,’ Daisy said with a rueful smile. ‘Just be careful, Judy.’

‘I can understand why you were attracted to Jay, as I was to Jack. But that’s all over now.’

They were interrupted by the arrival of Lizzie with a tray. She placed it on the table without mishap. Judy was suitably impressed and she smiled at Lizzie as she made her way to the door.

Daisy filled a coffee cup and handed it to Judy. ‘Do I detect a hint of regret?’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘It’s not long ago you were devastated because Jack went off to Australia, and to my knowledge you haven’t shown interest in anyone else, unless you count the handsome Dr God. Although to my mind he’s too good to be true.’

‘Really?’ Judy stared at her in surprise. ‘Why do you say that?’

‘I’m probably being very unfair to the poor chap, but somehow he’s too charming and I wonder if it’s quite genuine.’