‘I am perfectly certain that once Mr Chadwick has had a few days to grow accustomed to his new home, he will realise how convenient it is, how warm and well insulated, how nice it is to have running water and electricity. When we get older, our creature comforts become more important than ever and, of course, he’s no spring chicken, you know?’

The anger was rising hotly up the back of my neck. ‘Eli has lived in the village all his life, Mr Blackman, and although he’s suffered much tragedy and loss, he seems to me to be one of the sanest residents of all. It is wrong, and inhumane, to make him leave his hut.’

‘The bottom line, my dear, is that hut was neither suitable nor safe for a man of his age and frailties. The parish must take responsibility for the welfare of its parishioners. Winter is on its way, and whatever would people say if we let him freeze to death?’

‘Surely it should be his choice where he lives?’ I heard myself shouting.

He still seemed unruffled. ‘We have no reason to believe that this is not his choice. As I said before, he seemed perfectly happy when we moved him to his new house. And why wouldn’t he be?’

It was no good trying to win this argument. He simply wasn’t interested in any other point of view. I stood up sharply, knocking over my chair with a crash. ‘I think it is time for you to leave, Mr Blackman. I know you’ve told Eli and the church committee to keep quiet, but just you wait and see. The newspapers are going to hear about this.’

His smile evaporated, the eyes hardened, his jaw tightened.

‘I would think very carefully about that, Miss Goddard.’ His eyes were as sharp and menacing as any weapon. ‘You cannot have failed to notice that your father has rather more serious issues on his plate at the moment.’ He paused, raising a meaningful eyebrow. ‘As today’s visit from our diocesan friends has made perfectly clear.’

After I’d seen him out of the front door, my legs went to jelly. Using the wall for support, I managed to get back to the kitchen and sat down at the table, with my heart racing and my head whirling. I had confronted the man and tried my best. But right now Blackman held all the cards. I was completely powerless.

After a few moments, when I’d gathered my wits, I went back into the living room to find Pa. He was sound asleep, head back, mouth agape, snoring loudly. Oblivious.

‘What have you done, Pa? They think you’ve stolen the money,’ I whispered. ‘But why would you do it? We don’t want for anything – don’t have any big bills or debts. Have you been negligent somehow? Taken your eye off the ball?’

He didn’t stir.