She made her way downstairs to the winter parlour where she found Ivy and Ted seated side by side on the small sofa, holding hands. ‘I think these might fit you, Ted.’ Kate set the bundle down on the nearest chair.

‘Thank you for looking after Ivy and the nippers, miss.’ Ted gave his wife a hug. ‘She’s a diamond is my Ivy.’

‘I wouldn’t argue with that,’ Kate said, smiling. ‘And I’d say that Ivy looked after me, not the reverse. She is a wonderful woman and that’s the truth.’

Ivy’s sallow complexion bloomed pink and she giggled. ‘Stop it, both of you. I just done what I had to do. It was the children what kept me going.’

‘Well, from now on I’ll take care of you all.’ Ted rose from the sofa. ‘I don’t know how I’ll manage it, but I’ll find work and we’ll get somewhere to live.’

‘Like I said before you come in, Kate, I expect our old house has been let to someone else.’ Ivy sighed, shaking her head. ‘We had to come away in such a hurry, and I couldn’t afford the rent now that the soup kitchen is closed.’

Kate stared at her in dismay. ‘You should have told me that, Ivy. I’d have paid it for you. But what about your possessions? Will they have gone, too?’

‘The furniture, such as it was, come with the house,’ Ivy said, with a wry smile. ‘We brought with us what we needed most and what was left was only fit for the rubbish heap. I don’t mind saying goodbye to Nightingale Lane.’

‘I’m sure we can arrange something, but there’s plenty of time.’ Kate moved to the door and opened it. ‘I’m going back to the wedding party, but tomorrow is Christmas Day. It’s time to enjoy ourselves and be thankful for what we have, and the people who are dear to us.’

She stepped out into the corridor. She had meant what she said. There was plenty of work still to be done in the grounds of Warren House and she was prepared to pay Ted, should he be willing to join forces with Morrison. Maybe he could take over when the old man decided to retire? Perhaps she could find a cottage nearby for the family to rent. There were always answers to problems; you just had to find them. With that in mind Kate went to the dining room where the bride and groom were preparing to cut the cake that Martha and Ivy had baked and decorated with glacé fruit and nuts.

Outside the light was already fading and the snow was falling again, only this time it was heavier and settling fast. Kate realised that the guests needed to leave right away, but she hesitated, not wanting to spoil the happy couple’s moment.