‘I know.’ When Jack maintains his bland expression, Ted snorts and looks away, muttering something that Jack fails to catch. ‘Jim told me everything, just before he died. So, like I say, we weren’t expecting you back.’

‘Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you.’

‘What are you doing here?’

Jack watches as cloud shadows the hills shouldering the horizon, rendering the wood’s jewelled canopy drab.

‘I just came back, Ted,’ he says at last.

‘She doesn’t need you here.’

‘Gwen seems to think differently.’

‘She’s asked you to stay?’ Ted’s surprise is stark. Jack sees his confidence falter. ‘Why?’

‘Right now, I’m needed here and while Gwen needs me, I’ll stay. Now, I’ve got to get on.’

Ted catches his arm. ‘Something’s happened. Tell me – what’s going on?’

‘Ask Gwen.’

‘I’m asking you.’ Concern replaces Ted’s animosity and faced with Jack’s stubborn silence, he resorts to appeal. ‘For God’s sake, Jack, what is it?’ Jack can almost see the rapid deductions spinning through the farmer’s mind. His fingers slacken their grip. ‘It’s something to do with Allingham, isn’t it?’

Jack shakes him loose. ‘It’s not my place …

‘Jesus, lad.’ Ted’s hand stays him again. ‘You know what they mean to me. If he’s said something to her …’

‘He wants his son.’

Ted releases him abruptly. ‘What?’

Jack knows he has crossed a line, but it is too late to go back. ‘He suspects Tom is his and he intends to try for custody … by whatever means.’

Ted utters a profanity and turns away as he tries to absorb the news. ‘He hasn’t got a chance, surely?’

‘As long as I’m here … I hope not. I’m not going anywhere, not until this is resolved, until Tom is safe … until Gwen feels safe.’

‘I can keep Gwen safe …’

‘But for all intents and purposes, I’m the boy’s father. I’m the one who needs to be seen making a stand.’

‘And is that what you’re going to do? Make a stand?’

‘I’m prepared to fight for that boy as if he were my own flesh and blood.’

Ted prepares a retort but at the last minute thinks better of it. Instead, he sweeps off his cap and rakes his fingers through his hair. By the time he sets his cap back, his flare of temper has been suppressed, but he remains grim-faced.

‘Did she write to you about Gordon?’ he asks at last, a quiver in his voice. ‘Did she ask you to come back?’

‘No.’ Jack shuffles his boot in the dirt. ‘No, she didn’t. I only just found out.’

‘Then I can understand why you’re staying.’ Ted levels his gaze. ‘What I don’t understand is why you came back in the first place?’