by Dilly Court
It was a crisp winter’s day and a pale buttercup-yellow sun shone on the frosty hedgerows and sparkled on the grassy banks. The creek bubbled merrily over the shallows and slinked silkily where it was deepest and greenest in the shade of the trees on the water’s edge. Bright red berries glowed amongst the dark green spiky leaves of holly, and the clock in the church tower struck one, its sonorous sound echoing off the surrounding cottages and the village pub. Judy smiled to herself; it was good to be home. She had not realised how much she loved this part of the world until she went away. She could not help wondering if Jack felt similar pangs of homesickness, or perhaps he had forgotten his old life and was getting on well in the Antipodes. She could only hope that he was happy, and that, by now, he could walk again.
‘You look sad.’
Rob’s comment jerked her out of her reverie. ‘I was just thinking how things have changed,’ she said, forcing a smile. ‘Not so very long ago we were like one big family at Creek Manor, but that is all gone now.’
‘Creek Manor will rise again, like the phoenix from the ashes.’
‘Is that what you intend? You want to rebuild the old house and call it Creek Manor?’
‘It’s still the same plot of land, and I imagine the manorial rights still hold. I am now the lord of the manor, although the title means nothing to me.’
‘Why did you buy the estate? Do you intend to live there, or will you sell it to someone else for a huge profit?’
He took his eyes off the road ahead and turned his head to give her an amused look. ‘You have a very poor opinion of me, don’t you?’
‘I am struggling to form an opinion, if you must know. I can’t make you out, Rob Dorning. Why would a young man like you want to saddle yourself with running an estate like Creek Manor?’
‘I’ll have an estate manager. In fact I’ll employ Clem Guppy, who I believe filled the position very efficiently before he was ousted. I’ll let the tenant farmers do all the physical labour, and I’m quite capable of organising myself and the household, but more importantly, I want a permanent home. My father was jailed when I was a child, along with my uncles, and my mother died penniless. I was brought up by my Aunt Adeline, who’s a wonderful woman, but times were hard. Now I’m in a position to improve her lot as well as mine.’
‘But why did you pick Creek Manor? If you’re wealthy you could have bought a grand mansion that was ready to move into.’
‘That wouldn’t do for me. The coast and the salt marshes are my part of the country, and I want to build something that fits in with the landscape but is very modern inside. I want to install indoor plumbing and bathrooms where you can turn on a tap and have unlimited hot water.’
It was Judy’s turn to laugh. ‘I’ve never heard of anything so odd. It would be wonderful, but surely it’s just a dream.’
‘It’s possible, and I intend to make it a fact. Maybe we’ll be the first people in Essex to have such a thing.’
‘You’re married?’
‘I didn’t say that.’
Judy felt herself blushing and she turned her head away. ‘You said “we” – I just assumed …’
‘No, I’m not married and I have no plans to alter my bachelor state, at the moment.’
‘Not that it’s any of my business,’ she said hastily.
He laughed and flicked the reins to encourage the horse to quicken its pace. Judy’s attention was caught by a group of women, huddled together with their shawls wrapped around them in an attempt to keep warm. They looked up at the sound of the approaching vehicle and Judy recognised Miss Creedy, Annie Maggs and Nancy Noon. Judy smiled and waved and they acknowledged her, but she could tell by the way they turned their backs and put their heads together that she and Rob Dorning were now the subject of speculation. She shot him a sideway glance and he turned to her with a smile.
‘They’ll have us engaged before the day is out. I was born and raised in a village near Burnham-on-Crouch. I know exactly what the gossips are like.’
Judy relaxed against the squabs. ‘I can’t quite make you out, Rob Dorning. You are a mystery to me.’ She groaned. ‘Oh dear, and there’s Mrs Peabody, the vicar’s wife, talking to Daisy’s aunt, Mrs Marshall, and they’ve seen us.’
‘Don’t worry, Judy. Let them talk.’
‘It’s all right for you, Rob. You don’t live in Little Creek.’
‘Not yet, although I’ve spent the last few days at the Crooked Billet while I sort out the details of the new house, and I expect to be here much more often while the building is taking place.’
She fixed him with a hard stare. ‘Don’t you have work to do? I mean, are you really a gentleman of leisure?’
‘I wouldn’t claim to be a gentleman, but I can afford to spend my time as I wish, thanks to the money left to me by one of my relatives who was transported to the penal colony in New South Wales. He made a fortune in the goldfields but he died childless.’
‘I thought your family were smugglers.’
He chuckled. ‘Yes, among other things. I want to make the name of Dorning respected, if that doesn’t sound too pretentious.’
‘No, I don’t think it does in the slightest.’ Judy turned her head away, staring at the creek as it splashed over rocks and fallen tree branches. Soon she would be home.
The pale sun shimmered on the silky waters of the estuary and the Crooked Billet seemed to slumber in the hazy light. Smoke curled up from the chimneys and as Rob drew the chaise to a halt outside the front door Judy could see her mother peering out of the window. Within seconds the door opened and Hilda limped out to throw her arms around Judy, hardly giving her time to alight from the carriage.
‘I’ve missed you, darling girl. Have you have a good time in London? What happened to Dr Godfrey? Did he sort out his money problems?’
Judy returned the hug, chuckling. ‘Give me a moment, Ma. I can’t answer all your questions at once.’
‘Of course not. You must be famished after that journey from London. I’ve made a cheese and potato pie especially for you.’ Hilda turned to Nate, who had come running from the direction of the stables. ‘Come and get your dinner when you’ve done what you have to. We’ll have a family meal together for once.’ She hustled Judy into the taproom where Eli, the pig man, was supping ale by the fire. Judy could smell him from where she stood. She smiled and acknowledged him, and a group of fishermen, who frequented the pub after a good catch. The tang of the sea and the aroma of fish hung in the air, battling with the farmyard odour of pigs.
Judy followed her mother to the kitchen where the table was laid with four place settings. ‘There are only three of us.’
‘It’s Rob. He’s taken to having his meals in the kitchen. He says it’s nicer than dining on his own.’ Hilda opened the oven door and took out a large pie with a glistening golden crust, placing it on the table. ‘Now tell me everything before the others join us. What happened to the doctor?’
Judy had a sudden vision of Ben on the night when he attempted to fling himself off the cliff, and she brushed it aside, remembering instead the calm, capable man who treated the destitute patients in Limehouse. She sat down at the table, resting her arms on the scrubbed pine surface as she related the events in London. She came to a halt as Nate burst into the kitchen, bringing with him a gust of cold air, and he threw himself down at the table.
‘That pie looks good and I’m starving. Wait until I tell Pip what we had for dinner today. I’m going to the Hall to see him tomorrow.’
‘Then you may take a slice of pie,’ Hilda said, smiling. ‘That is if there’s any left. Judy looks hungry and Rob has a good appetite.’
‘You must cut a piece for him now.’ Judy held out her plate. ‘He can have half of mine if everyone else is being greedy.’ She winked at her brother and Nate grinned back. ‘And don’t forget Molly. She might be living well at Colneyhurst, but she loves Ma’s pies.’
‘Heavens above.’ Hilda threw up her hands. ‘I’d have made two pie
s if I’d known you were going to fight over them.’
Judy looked from one to the other. It was good to be home with the people she loved most in the world. If Pip and Molly were here it would be perfect. She looked up as Rob strolled into the kitchen, pulled up a chair and sat down as if he too were part of the family.
‘That smells wonderful, Hilda. You are a superb cook. I hope you’ll be generous enough to share your recipes with my cook, whoever she might be, when I move into my new home.’
Judy was amused to see her mother blush as she cut him a large slice of pie.
‘You’re a flatterer, Rob Dorning,’ Hilda said with mock severity. ‘But I’ll gladly do as you ask, and if you’ve got any sense you’ll employ all the servants that used to work at the manor house. You’ll not get any better.’
‘That sounds like good advice,’ he said, nodding. ‘I’ll bear it in mind.’
Judy eyed him sceptically. She suspected that Rob Dorning would do what he wanted no matter how much good advice he received. She tasted the pie and smiled. ‘This is one of your best, Ma. I think we should have this on the menu every day.’
‘My pies do seem very popular,’ Hilda said thoughtfully. ‘I might see if George Keyes wants some for his shop. It would be a way of making a little extra money as we’re not taking much in the bar. The bad reputation this pub had in the past won’t easily be forgotten in these parts, and we have the worst part of the winter to come.’
Rob put his knife and fork down. ‘You can count on me. I’ll be staying here until I can move into Creek Manor, and the architect I’ve employed will probably want a room for a while, at least.’
‘So you’re definitely going ahead with the rebuilding of the old manor house?’ Hilda sat down opposite him and helped herself to a small portion of pie. ‘It’s not going to fall through like it did for the doctor?’
‘No. I’ve had the preliminary plans and I’m off to Chelmsford today to confirm the details with a builder I’ve hired. The foundations of the old house are already there and the site is being cleared as we speak. In fact it’s almost ready for work to begin.’
Judy eyed him curiously. ‘How long will it take before you can move in?’
‘The main body of the house should be habitable within a year, maybe sooner. I’ve told the builder to hire as many men as it takes to get the job finished as quickly as possible.’
‘That will bring employment to the village,’ Hilda said with a nod of approval. ‘But it will cost a lot of money.’
‘It will be worth it.’ Rob held out his plate. ‘Another slice of pie would be very acceptable, Hilda, my dear.’
She laughed, shaking her head. ‘You know how to get your own way, Rob.’
‘Yes,’ he said, turning to Judy with a wry smile. ‘I do.’
Nate jumped to his feet. ‘I’d better fetch more coal before the fires go out, but I’ll take that last slice of pie with me. I won’t mention it to the others when I see them.’ He rushed from the room before his mother had a chance to stop him.
‘That boy will be the death of me,’ Hilda said faintly. ‘Whatever happened to manners?’
‘He’s all right, Ma.’ Judy stifled a giggle. ‘I have missed you all. It’s good to be home.’
Hilda sighed and shook her head. ‘Let’s hope business picks up soon, or it might not be home for much longer.’
‘Don’t worry, Hilda.’ Rob reached across the table to pat her hand. ‘I’ll bring in as much trade as I can. I wouldn’t want to see this old place closed or, worse still, going back to the bad old days.’
‘You’re a good man, Rob.’ Hilda squeezed his fingers.
Judy was suddenly apprehensive. Rob Dorning seemed to have charmed Ma and had moved in on a more or less permanent basis. She could not help being suspicious of his motives, but she did not want to upset her mother by challenging him. Men had a way of turning the tables: Faulkner had been charm itself until he achieved his ends; Jack had professed to love her, and then deserted her. As for Dr Godfrey, he had let everyone down, including himself, and was now desperately trying to make amends. What possible reason could Rob Dorning have for working so hard to ingratiate himself with her family?
Judy rose to her feet. ‘I’d better check the bar or Eli will be helping himself to a free drink.’ She left the kitchen without waiting for a response and made her way to the taproom.
‘Yes, Eli?’ She held out her hand to take the empty pewter tankard. ‘Another pint?’
‘No, ta. Got to get back to me pigs or the colonel will dock me wages and the missis will throw a fit.’ He tipped his greasy cap and hurried out of the pub, leaving a waft of the piggery in his wake. Judy picked up a nosegay of dried lavender and held it under her nose, inhaling the delicate scent. She washed the tankard in a bowl of water beneath the counter and was drying it with a clean cloth when Rob joined her.
‘You don’t believe me, do you, Judy?’
The question took her by surprise. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I could see by the look on your face that you thought I was simply bragging.’
She turned away to replace the tankard on the shelf. ‘I never said anything of the sort.’
‘You didn’t have to.’ He reached across the counter and caught her by the hand. ‘Look at me. I’m not exaggerating and I’m not lying. I have the means and I have the determination to see this through. When the manor house is rebuilt it will give employment to all your friends who now face difficulties, and in the meantime it will bring business to you and to the village as a whole.’
She snatched her hand free. ‘But why would you act like a great benefactor? You don’t owe the people of Little Creek anything, and there’s no reason for you to bother about us. We’ve faced worse than this, and we’ll survive.’
‘I don’t doubt it,’ he said easily. ‘But you’re wrong about me. I’m not doing this for glory.’
‘Then why? I could understand why Ben wanted to do something good – he’s a dedicated doctor – but you are the son of a convicted criminal, and you’ve also profited from the money your predecessors made in a penal colony. Why would you wish to spend it all in Little Creek?’
‘I have my reasons, as I told you.’
‘I think there’s something more.’
Judy would have questioned him further, but the pub door opened and Constable Fowler strode into the taproom. She could tell by his expression that this was not a social visit. Mick Fowler was a popular member of the community and Judy had known him since she was a child. ‘Is there anything wrong, Constable?’
He took off his helmet and tucked it under his arm. ‘Is Mrs Faulkner at home, Judy?’
‘Yes, she’s in the kitchen. Shall I fetch her?’
Constable Fowler glanced at the group of fishermen who were taking a sudden interest in what was going on around them, whereas previously they had been laughing and joking amongst themselves.
‘It might be best if I spoke to her in private, Judy. You should be there, too.’
‘I’ll mind the bar,’ Rob said calmly.
‘No, Mr Dorning. You’d better come too. This concerns you as well. I’ll wait in the parlour if you’ll fetch your ma, Judy.’ He held up his hand. ‘Don’t worry, I know where it is. This isn’t the first time I’ve been here on police business. I’m afraid it’s not good news.’
Chapter Fifteen
Hilda sank down on the nearest chair, her hand clasped to her mouth. ‘No. He wouldn’t do such a thing.’
‘I’m sorry, Hilda,’ Constable Fowler allowed himself to bend a little. ‘Wilfred was caught in the act of setting fire to your old cottage on the Creek Manor estate, which I believe now belongs to you, Mr Dorning.’
‘The devil he did!’ Rob said, frowning. ‘You’re right, Constable. I am the landowner.’
‘But why would he do such a thing?’ Judy slipped her arm around her mother’s shoulders. ‘There’s nothing of ours left there.’
‘Only memories,’ Hil
da said, sighing. ‘We were happy there, you and I, Judy.’
‘Maybe that was his reason for burning the place to the ground,’ Constable Fowler said grimly. ‘He seems proud of what he’s done and he claims that it was he who started the blaze at the manor house.’
Hilda fanned herself with her hand. ‘Wilfred had worked there since he was a boy. I can’t think what would make him behave in this way.’
‘Who’s to say what goes on in a man’s head? He was caught red-handed by Farmer Johnson and Will. They said that Faulkner was laughing like a maniac. I’m sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, Hilda.’
‘He’s a violent man,’ Judy said quickly. ‘He threatened Ma, and he attacked me and then he threw me out of the house because I wouldn’t let him have his way with me. I hope the judge gives him the longest sentence possible. He deserves it.’
‘He seemed so nice and kind at the start.’ Hilda mopped her streaming eyes on her apron. She stood up, somewhat unsteadily. ‘But it’s over now and I’ve got work to do. Is that all, Constable?’
‘Why don’t you sit down a little longer, Ma?’ Judy reached out to steady her mother, but Hilda brushed her hand away.
‘I’m all right, ta. It was a bit of a shock, but I’m not really surprised. He couldn’t get what he wanted so he destroyed the one place where we were happy, and he knew I loved that little cottage.’
‘But it doesn’t explain why he wanted to burn the manor house to the ground,’ Rob said slowly. ‘It doesn’t make sense, Constable.’
‘He admitted it, but he wouldn’t say anything further.’ Constable Fowler backed towards the doorway. ‘I don’t need you to do anything, Hilda. I just wanted to tell you before it became public knowledge.’
‘Will I have to give evidence at his trial?’ Hilda asked nervously.
‘I doubt it. He’ll be brought up before the magistrate tomorrow and then it’s my guess he’ll be sent to the assizes in Chelmsford. I doubt if you’ll be seeing him again for a very long time. I’ll say good day to you all.’ He left the room, ramming his helmet on his head as he went. His footsteps echoed on the bare boards, leaving the air trembling with silence.
