Sunday instantly looked guilty and horrified. ‘Oh, Cissie, I’m so sorry. Is it getting too much for you? I should have noticed.’

Cissie flapped her hand and grinned. ‘O’ course it ain’t too much, it’s just that none of us are gettin’ any younger an’ this is a big place for me an’ you to keep goin’. I just thought it would take a bit o’ work off us.’

‘I’ll advertise for someone straight away,’ Sunday promised. ‘Although it’s not so easy to get help nowadays. Since the war ended more and more women have jobs outside of the home. I suppose it comes from them doing the men’s jobs while they were away at war,’ she suggested.

Cissie’s head bobbed in agreement. ‘You’re right, but just someone part-time would do, an’ there ain’t no rush. There’s still a bit o’ work left in me yet.’

Later in the morning when the men came in for their tea break Sunday mentioned the outstanding coal bill to Ben and was dismayed when she saw a dull-red colour creep up his neck.

‘So, are you suggesting that I deliberately didn’t pay him?’ he asked irritably.

‘Of course not! I know how busy you’ve been,’ Sunday answered quickly. ‘I was just jogging your memory, that’s all. I can get the money out of the safe and pay him myself if you’re too busy to,’ she offered.

‘There’ll be no need for that. I’m going into town this afternoon, so I’ll call in at the coal yard and pay him then!’

‘All right, there’s no need to get so angry.’

Ben scowled and strode out of the kitchen without even waiting for his coffee as Sunday gazed at Cissie perplexed, wondering what she had said wrong.

Chapter Five

Once he was back in the stables Ben stood fuming. Sunday had shown no interest in anything since his father had died so why should she suddenly start now? His thoughts were interrupted when Kathy cantered into the yard on her horse and hopped lightly down from the saddle. Despite the bitter cold, she was dressed as usual in her old jodhpurs and a thin shirt that showed off her figure, and Ben found himself staring at her.

‘Hello there.’ She smiled at him as she led the horse into her stall and began to unsaddle her. ‘I was meaning to tell you that David will be over again this Saturday for a ride. Is that all right?’