When she passed on Mr Willerby’s message to Cissie the next morning her friend paused and narrowed her eyes.

‘Hm … I dare say George would be happy to still be involved with the horses even if it’s only part-time,’ she mused. ‘Him an’ your Tom bred some of ’em an’ raised ’em from tiny foals so I know he’s very fond of ’em. An’ me … well, I suppose if I ain’t got to do the cookin’ anymore I’d consider helpin’ with the cleanin’ part-time. I’ll have to give it some thought, but it was good of him to ask. I suppose we have to think ourselves lucky that if this has got to happen then at least it’s a nice gentleman who’s buyin’ the place. But if as he says the move is imminent then I reckon we should start gettin’ some o’ the stuff you want to take down to the lodge. It’s all ready now. George finished whitewashin’ the last bedroom last night an’ it looks a treat.’

‘I’d never have managed it without you and George,’ Sunday said quietly as tears burned at the back of her eyes. ‘You’ll never know how grateful I am to you both, Cissie.’

Embarrassed, Cissie flapped her hand at her. ‘Eh, get away wi’ yer! Look at all you’ve done fer me an’ George over the years. Now come on, we’ll have a walk round and decide what yer want to take. George can move it in the trap.’

As they walked about the house Sunday felt as if her heart was breaking. Each and every piece of furniture had been chosen either by herself or her mother and, until now, she hadn’t realised how hard it was going to be to leave everything behind. Between them they chose a number of smaller pieces that would look well in the lodge and shortly after lunchtime George came and began to load them onto the cart, while the old pony they used to pull it stood contentedly nuzzling on a nose bag.

When they arrived at what was to be her new home, Sunday looked about. They had all spent every spare minute on it and now that it had been scrubbed from top to bottom and given a new coat of paint it looked entirely different. George had burned all the old furniture on a bonfire and had even swept the chimney so at least they would be cosy there. Even so, Sunday’s heart was heavy as they began to carry the furniture in and position it where she wanted it. It was going to be very hard to see someone else in the home that she loved, but Ben’s betrayal had ensured that it could be no other way and, in that moment, she almost hated him.

Chapter Thirteen

Livvy flew into a rage again when Sunday informed her that the move was imminent.