‘I have an aged aunt, living in Canterbury. We used to visit her once a year on her birthday, and her anniversary is coming up next week. She’s very wealthy and I’m her closest relative. She might lend me enough money to pay off the squire, and then I could stay and set up in practice.’
‘You would still face the same problems, wouldn’t you? If your patients are too poor to pay for your services you would be in the same position as your father.’
‘I would have to ensure that I charged enough.’
‘Did you ask for payment when you set Jack’s arm?’
Nick shook his head. ‘How could I? You saw how the family live, and Jack’s father hasn’t worked for years.’
‘My point exactly. You might borrow money from your aunt, but it wouldn’t be long before you were in exactly the same position as your father.’
A tap on the door preceded Linnet, who entered carrying a tray of tea and two large slices of seed cake. ‘Mrs Cribb says she hopes you enjoy the cake, Doctor. And if you have a moment, could you look at her left shoulder? It pains her when she lifts anything heavy.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Nick said, smiling. ‘I’ll take a look at it before I go.’
Daisy waited until the door closed on Linnet. ‘You see! You are too kind and obliging. People know that and they take advantage of your good nature.’
‘I’ll accept a cup of tea and a slice of that delicious-looking cake as payment.’
Daisy passed him his tea and cake. ‘That will be your downfall, Dr Neville.’
‘Making a fortune has never been my aim, but a comfortable living and the upkeep of Creek Hall is something I have to consider. One day I hope I’ll be in a position to marry and raise a family, and for that I need a steady income.’
Daisy was tempted to ask if he had anyone in mind, but that might lead to embarrassment on both sides and she hastily changed the subject. ‘I thought I’d visit the village school tomorrow and ask if I might help Jack with his lessons at home, at least until he feels well enough to go back to school.’
‘I’m sure Massey will be delighted. He’s fairly new and I’ve only met him once, but he seems like a decent fellow.’
The sun was shining next morning and the thaw continued. The creek had swelled with snow melt and the crystal-clear water rushed past, tumbling small branches and pieces of flotsam over rocks in its haste to join the river and continue its journey out to sea. Daisy walked briskly, but she still had time to look around and marvel at nature. Already there were tight little buds on the trees, just waiting for spring to arrive and the warm kiss of the sun to burst into leaf. At the side of the lane, beneath the hedgerow, she saw a small patch of snowdrops and she was tempted to stop and pick them, but she was on a mission to persuade the schoolmaster to allow Jack to keep up with his studies at home. Jack had been showing signs of boredom, and it was astonishing how much difference good food and rest could make in such a short time.
As she approached the village Daisy was conscious of the interest she was creating. Some of the women she met greeted her with a smile and a nod, while others gave her sidelong glances and walked on. The Marshalls were still the subject of interest and speculation, as reported daily by Linnet. People had little to talk about and a new family in the village gave the gossips something new to discuss behind closed doors.
The school itself was situated opposite the village pub and the church, and the children had been allowed outside at break. The boys had found pockets of snow and were hurling snowballs at each other, while the girls played skipping games and chanted rhymes that were new to Daisy. She made her way between the different groups, narrowly avoiding being hit by a snowball thrown by a boy she recognised as being Danny, one of Jack’s friends. He caught up with her as she was about to enter the building.
‘Where’s Jack, miss? Is he all right?’
‘He’s staying at Creek Cottage for a while,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘He broke his arm, but Dr Neville set the bones and Jack has to be careful he doesn’t injure it again.’
‘When will he come back to school?’
‘As soon as the doctor says it’s all right. Now, where will I find Mr Massey?’
‘He’s right there, miss. Behind you.’ Danny turned and raced back to join his rowdy friends.
Daisy turned to find herself facing a tall, dark-haired young man, whose black jacket was worn at the cuffs and dusted with chalk. ‘May I help you, miss?’
‘You must be Mr Massey, the schoolmaster.’
‘That’s correct. I’m Elliot Massey. Might I ask your name?’
‘I’m Daisy Marshall and I live at Creek Cottage. We only moved in recently, although it feels as if I’ve lived here for months.’
A slow smile lit his grey eyes. ‘I know the feeling. How may I help you?’
‘I was wondering if you could set some work for Jack Fox. I expect you know that he injured himself falling from a tree.’
‘Yes, of course. I know that he’s been taken in by the new people from London.’
‘Mr and Mrs Marshall are my uncle and aunt, and Dr Neville thought it a good idea if Jack came to stay with us for a while. Jack’s parents are unwell and his sisters are in service.’
‘I am aware of the family history. It’s impossible to do anything in Little Creek without everyone knowing.’
‘You’re not the first person to tell me that,’ Daisy said, smiling. ‘Anyway, if you think it a good idea perhaps I could help Jack with some work at home, so that when he returns he doesn’t find himself far behind the other children.’
‘Of course, and thank you. If only the parents of some of the other children thought the same as you my life would be so much easier. I try my best to make learning exciting and interesting, but it’s impossible to get through to some of my pupils. Young Jack shows promise but he’s easily distracted.’
‘If you would allow me to take a couple of books and a slate, I’ll do my best.’
‘I can do better than that, Miss Marshall. If you can wait until this afternoon, I’ll bring the books after school.’
At that moment a bell rang and the children raced past them, bringing gusts of cold air with them.
‘I can see that you’re busy,’ Daisy said hurriedly. ‘I’m sure Jack would appreciate a visit from his teacher.’
Elliot leaned down to grab a small boy who was clutching a handful of snow. ‘Take that outside, Benny. You don’t bring snowballs into the classroom.’
The child shrugged and stomped out into the schoolyard where Daisy caught sight of him throwing what remained of the snow at a little girl, who started to cry.
‘Thank you, Mr Massey. I’d better go now, but I’ll tell Jack you’re coming to see him.’
Daisy threaded her way through the crowd of rosy-cheeked children as they pushed and shoved in order to get inside out of the cold. She noticed that, although most were scrubbed clean, their clothes were patched and mended and their shoes down at heel. It was obvious that Little Creek was not a rich village, and she understood a little more of the dilemma that Nick Neville faced. She could only hope that his meeting with the aged aunt would prove fruitful.
The sun was still shining, but the temperature was plummeting when Daisy set off towards home, but as she passed the pub she saw her uncle strolling on ahead with a fishing rod over his shoulder and a wicker basket clutched in his hand. She quickened her pace and caught up with him.
‘You’ve bought the fishing tackle.’
‘I tried it out yesterday. Perkins, the pub landlord,