Irregularities. So early in your incumbency. In these few short phrases, Blackman had made his meaning perfectly clear: Do as I suggest, or you will get the blame.

My father was being blackmailed.

Later, when I knocked on the door of his study, Pa managed a weary smile. ‘Hello, sweetheart. How was your picnic?’

‘Fine, thanks. Jimmy and I have been doing some gardening.’

‘Good, good,’ he said, distractedly shuffling papers.

‘I’ve got a confession to make,’ I said.

‘Spit it out, sweetheart.’

I told him what I’d overheard through the window.

He frowned. ‘This was a confidential matter, Molly. You shouldn’t have been listening. It is none of your business.’

‘Has five thousand pounds really gone missing?’

He looked up sharply. ‘So the bank says. But I’m sure there’s been a mistake, somewhere. Don’t worry, my love, we’ll sort it out soon enough.’

‘By selling the woodland? And kicking out Eli? That’s so unfair. He’s not doing anything wrong living there. His house was bombed in the war, you know, and his wife was killed.’

Pa nodded. ‘Bad business really, poor old fellow.’

‘You won’t evict him, will you?’

‘Not if I can help it. I won’t support the sale of the land. But I can safely say that my honeymoon period is well and truly over.’

‘Mr Blackman’s trying to blackmail you, isn’t he?’

He looked genuinely surprised. ‘I wouldn’t use that word, exactly . . .’

‘But that is what he meant: suggesting that your conversation should be confidential, for now.’

Pa’s shoulders seemed to slump and he sank back into his chair. ‘I suppose you’re right, my dearest. I suppose you’re right,’ he murmured again.

‘I’m so sorry, Pa. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.’

His hand on mine was warm and reassuring, but his eyes were full of confusion and worry. ‘Thank you, dearest. I appreciate that. I remain confident that a visit to the bank will sort out the problem of the missing money. But there are other battles to be fought in this village, and I’m not at all certain of winning. Right now I think I’ll go over to the church, to pray for guidance.’

I truly hoped that his God would step up to the mark this time and show Pa the way out of this horrible mess.

Using the excuse of returning the few undelivered newsletters, I checked that Mrs D could keep an eye on Jimmy and went up the street to see Miss Calver.

‘My dear, what’s happened? Has there been an emergency?’ She was not one for small talk.

‘What do you know about Eli Chadwick and his hut, Miss Calver?’

‘How long have you got?’

‘As long as you have the time for.’

‘Then you’d better come in.’