She feared Ben had never really come to terms with the fact that he was the result of an affair his father had had before his marriage to Sunday, even though Tom had had Ben’s name changed to his and had proudly welcomed him into the family and openly recognised him as his son. Now she realised that if she forced Ben to let her take control of the business again, he would resent her even more. For the time being, she decided, it would be best to leave things as they were. With a sigh she got on with the dusting.

That evening as they all sat at dinner, Kathy said casually, ‘David Deacon asked if he might come over on Sunday and take one of the horses out for a ride with me. His family in Yorkshire have horses and he misses riding so I didn’t think you’d mind?’

‘Isn’t that the nice young doctor I met on the day of the carnival?’ Sunday asked as her heart beat faster. He was such a pleasant young man and although Kathy was still very young it would be lovely to see her fall in love. Up to now she hadn’t seemed interested in much at all except her nursing career and spending what little spare time she had in the stables with Ben. ‘Of course I don’t mind,’ she ended quickly. ‘It will be nice to see him again.’

Livvy rose from the table at that moment, saying, ‘Sorry but you’ll have to excuse me, I’m going roller skating with some of the girls from work this evening and I’m supposed to be meeting them in an hour. I shall be late if I don’t get my skates on … excuse the pun!’

Sunday smiled as her daughter hurried away to get ready. Livvy had just started to spread her wings a little and go out with her friends, and although it worried Sunday slightly she was also keen to encourage her to be independent. In 1930 the Palace Cinema in the town had been turned into a skating rink and Livvy had been a regular there ever since. In fact, Sunday had heard she was now a very good skater. She wished Kathy had more of a social life too. After all, she was virtually grown up now and with Livvy just a few months younger Sunday supposed she should prepare herself for the fact they might each meet a nice young man soon.

‘I should get on as well.’ Ben wiped his mouth on a napkin and rose. ‘I’ve got the vet coming first thing to look at one of the mares who has a nasty cut on her side so I shall be getting an early night when I’ve settled the horses.’

‘I’ll come and help you,’ Kathy offered, rising and following him quickly from the room.