He scowled as he snapped his braces into place and raked his fingers through his thatch of hair. ‘Nothing happens. We go on as before, of course,’ he answered tersely. ‘Do you really think your mother would accept anything else? We’ve been brought up as older brother and little sister.’

‘I know, but we’re not, though, are we? So why shouldn’t we make a life together?’

‘Whoa there,’ he exclaimed, holding his hand up as if to ward her off, much as he might have done to one of the horses. ‘We’d be best to keep this to ourselves.’

Tears welled in Kathy’s eyes as she absorbed the pain of his words. ‘But surely what just happened between us meant something to you?’ There was a catch in her voice, but it did nothing to soften him, and he turned away and headed for the loft hatch.

Kathy had no choice but to scramble after him. As she descended the ladder the sweet smell of hay and horseflesh met her, but Ben was already striding towards the door.

‘Sh-shall I come over and see you here when I get back from the hospital tomorrow?’ she asked hopefully.

‘You come to the stables every night,’ he pointed out and then he was gone, his boots striking the cobblestones in the stable yard.

She stood quite still, until she heard him enter the house and only then did she allow the tears she had held back to fall. But it wasn’t over yet, she silently vowed. Now that he finally knew how she felt about him she would make him love her too if it was the last thing she did!

When Kathy came down to breakfast the next morning, all prim and proper in her nurse’s uniform, Ben was sitting drinking tea. The second she appeared he hastily drained his cup and strode from the room without giving her so much as a second look.

‘Somebody got outta bed the wrong side this morning,’ Cissie commented wryly, cocking her head towards the door. ‘I really don’t know what gets into him lately. But now what do yer fancy fer breakfast? There’s some porridge, or I could do yer some bacon an’ eggs?’

‘I, er … I’m not hungry thanks, Cissie,’ Kathy said, her cheeks flaming. ‘In fact, I think I’m late so I’d better be off. Bye for now.’ And with that she was gone like a bullet from a gun, leaving Cissie to shake her head.