‘What would he gain from pretending to be something he isn’t?’

‘Trust, I think is the right word. He’s talking investors into putting hundreds of pounds, maybe thousands, into building the hospital for which they might not get any return on their investments. I just thank heaven that my brother isn’t wealthy enough to risk his money in such a way.’

‘Do you think it will be a failure?’

Daisy shook her head. ‘I don’t know what to think, but Marius is very dubious and he’s a very good businessman. Ben Godfrey approached him at the start but Marius wouldn’t have anything to do with the scheme.’

‘It seems such a worthy cause,’ Judy said slowly. ‘I believe Dr Godfrey is a good man.’

‘Maybe he is, but that doesn’t make him a good businessman.’ Daisy picked up the plate of dainty cakes and offered it to Judy.

‘I suppose not.’ Judy selected a cake. ‘This looks delicious, thank you.’

‘Changing the subject, and I don’t want to offend you, Judy, but are you all right for money?’ Daisy asked anxiously. ‘I mean it can’t be easy setting up in business on a shoestring.’

‘Dr Godfrey has paid in advance for his room, and that’s helped us enormously. He says he’s going to stay very often when the building work commences, and he was talking about renovating the old slipway so that materials could be shipped to Little Creek.’

Daisy frowned. ‘It all sounds very ambitious and extremely costly. I do hope he’s gone into it properly, because so many local people have contributed to the scheme.’

‘Why don’t you like him?’ Judy eyed her curiously. ‘Has he upset you?’

‘No, not at all. In fact he’s always been charm itself when I’ve met him, but I can’t help being a little suspicious.’

Judy shook her head. ‘I think you’re wrong. At least I hope you are, because we’re depending on the money he advanced to keep us going.’

‘Maybe I’m being overcautious,’ Daisy said hastily. ‘I hope so for your sake.’

‘So do I, but it would be wonderful to see something good rising from the ashes of Creek Manor. It almost seems that there really was a curse on the old house.’

‘Not that I believe in that superstitious nonsense, but it doesn’t seem as though the house was ever a happy one. Maybe you’re right and whatever is built there now will have a brighter future.’

Judy ate the cake with relish. ‘I could almost imagine that Mrs Pearce had made this delicious fancy.’

‘You’re right, she did. My cook left suddenly to look after an ageing parent and I went to find Nell. I’m afraid Jay treated the servants very badly, but at least I’ve been able to help out a little.’

‘I’m so glad. Mrs Pearce was like a second mother to me while I was growing up.’ Judy rose to her feet. ‘Anyway, thank you for the tea and cake, and the good advice. Don’t worry about me, Daisy. I’ll mind what you said about Dr Godfrey, although I think you’re wrong.’