‘When me and your father first came here an old gentleman and his wife lived here,’ she remembered sadly. ‘I can’t remember their names now and sadly they both died soon after and the place has stood empty ever since.’

‘I-it’s disgusting!’ Livvy spluttered as tears coursed down her cheeks. ‘We can’t possibly live in this … this slum!’

Kathy said nothing but just stood there looking thoroughly miserable. How could Ben have reduced us to this? she wondered as her heart broke afresh.

Sunday walked around the room, looking into corners. ‘I’m afraid we don’t have much choice.’ Her voice was firm. ‘And I’m sure it’s not as bad as it looks. I think it’s damp because there hasn’t been any heat in here for a long time. A few good fires should sort that, and a lick of paint will make it look different.’

Livvy looked horrified. ‘But how can you even consider living in a place like this after being brought up in Treetops?’

Sunday turned to stare at her, her face stern. ‘Believe me, my girl, I’ve lived in far worse places when I was a girl,’ she told her shortly. ‘Don’t forget I was brought up in the workhouse! This is a palace compared to what that place was back then.’ As always when her back was against the wall, Sunday’s indomitable spirit had come to the fore. She had shed her tears over losing Treetops and now it was time to look to the future and ensure that her girls at least had a roof over their heads, even if it was only a humble one.

Livvy’s hands clenched into fists of rage. ‘Ben should be punished for what he’s done to us,’ she ground out through clenched teeth. ‘Have you reported him to the police? He can’t be far away, and he must still have all or at least most of the money he’s stolen!’

‘I shan’t be doing that,’ Sunday answered coldly. ‘I’ve already had this discussion with Mr Dixon.’

‘But why not?’ Livvy was outraged. ‘He deserves to be punished.’

‘He was your father’s son. And no matter what he’s done, he’s family,’ Sunday said simply and Livvy saw from the look on her face that she would not be swayed from this decision, so turning about she stormed off into the night leaving Kathy and Sunday to investigate the rest of the lodge.

‘It’s very dirty but I think a good clean and some paint would make it look very different,’ she told Cissie the next morning.