‘And?’

‘So why was an underground spring capable of bringing down an embankment of that size not detected, and if it was, why was it not acted upon? Where does the blame lay for that?’

‘My dear, the point is that it was not poor workmanship on the embankment itself, as is being claimed. My dam was sound.’

‘I don’t want to offend, John, my love, but you are not being logical and that’s most unlike you.’

He was stung. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Wait.’ Charlotte swept the cards together to reshuffle them. ‘I could see that game coming to nought. My dear, listen to me.’

He frowned. ‘I am.’

‘John, are you labouring under a delusion that this inquiry is being held to find the cause of the catastrophe?’

‘That is the whole purpose of it!’

She put the cards to one side and reached out, wordlessly asking him to put his hands in hers. He did, a little reluctantly.

‘You are being paraded before a town that wants justice.’

‘Yes,’ he said slowly, ‘they want the truth…’

‘No, the truth is unimportant.’

Gunson shook his head. ‘This is gibberish.’ He stood up to pace the room. ‘When will dinner be ready?’

‘I’m simply trying to tell you that the town isn’t interested in the truth. The people are looking for somebody to blame for all the anger and grief they feel. John, be still.’

He stopped and stood before her. ‘What are you saying?’

Charlotte sighed. ‘Forgive me for voicing it, but I’m afraid you have been put forward as an easy target.’

Later, in bed, as Charlotte lay gently snoring beside him, Gunson reflected on her words. He could see the truth in them, but history would prove him right, even if the townspeople failed to appreciate that no fault lay at his door.

His dam had been sound.

Chapter 24

Harriet was in the porch, collecting the boys’ outdoor gear which they had unceremoniously dumped on the newly laid chequered tile, when Walter returned. White-faced, he marched past her and straight upstairs and she knew that he had not found Alice among the unclaimed dead in Kimberworth or Kilnhurst. She followed him, her arms full, waited for him disappear into the room he shared with Polly and leaned against the wall so she could tap her foot against the boys’ bedroom doors.

‘Adam! Help the other two get ready. It’s almost time to go.’

She dropped their boots and coats at the top of the stairs and hesitated outside the closed door of the master bedroom, listening to Walter coughing wretchedly and the indistinct murmur of Polly’s voice. She was about to knock, but jerked her hand back when her uncle raised his hoarse voice into a shout.

‘We can’t both take to our beds, woman!’

Adam came out of his room. ‘Harriet?’

‘Your mother and father are resting. Are you looking forward to our outing?’

‘Can we go and see where the dam burst?’

‘No, no, there is absolutely nothing whatsoever to see there. We’re off to the botanical gardens near Ecclesall. I’ve made a picnic. Won’t that be lovely?’