‘Well, much as I don’t want to, I reckon we ought to be headin’ off to meet George else we’ll have no dinner tonight. If I can drag him out o’ the Wheatsheaf, that is,’ Cissie said glumly.

They hurried along Stratford Street and turned left into Abbey Street, weaving their way through the stallholders who were busy packing up their wares. George was waiting for them outside the Co-op as promised and he whistled through his teeth when he saw Sunday.

‘You look a treat,’ he told her as he opened the car door for her, and for the first time in a very long while, Sunday really smiled. Perhaps it was time to start getting more involved with the family again. She could never bring her beloved Tom back but at least she still had them, and they were all very precious to her.

Chapter Two

A few days later Sunday entered the study to dust it only to find Ben sitting at the desk with the accounts book open in front of him.

‘Oh sorry,’ she apologised. ‘I thought you were over at the stables; I didn’t mean to disturb you.’

‘It’s all right.’ He snapped the book shut and took it to the safe. ‘I’d just finished anyway.’

‘Actually, I’ve been meaning to have a word with you,’ Sunday said, seizing the opportunity now that they had a few moments alone. ‘I’ve realised that I’ve been rather selfish leaving so much on your shoulders since your father died and I think it’s time I started pulling my weight a bit more.’

When he raised his eyebrows, she hurried on. ‘I could at least take over doing the business accounts again. You and George have more than enough to do outside in the stables.’

Much to her surprise he slammed the safe door shut and shook his head. ‘Are you not happy with the job I’ve been doing then?’

‘Of course I am,’ Sunday assured him hastily. ‘But …’