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Frances yesterday, asking us to go down. If Mary and Connor could manage the others, I would like to take Sally – when she is over the chicken pox, of course.’
    â€˜Chicken pox.’ Daniel frowned as he got into the driving seat. ‘Thank goodness it wasn’t anything worse, love. I’ll talk to Connor and you ask Mary, then I’ll give Frances a ring.’
    â€˜Yes, you do that. It’s years since I saw the sea. I’m looking forward to it now, Dan.’
    â€˜Good,’ he said, and smiled.
    Daniel had made up his mind that he couldn’t tell Alice the truth. It would upset her too much, and if the doctor had given her a tonic, she was obviously under the weather. He would have to borrow the money, though he wouldn’t give Maura as much as she wanted. If he borrowed from Frances, she wouldn’t charge as much interest as the bank. He could pay that scheming bitch and perhaps finish off his loan at the bank – and then perhaps he could begin to save for the future.
    Daniel would pay Frances back, of course, but perhaps she would let him repay over a long period. She was a rich woman and she wouldn’t worry about lending him a thousand or two. It would cost him to ask, because he had always sworn he wouldn’t, but he was at the end of his tether. If he didn’t pay Maura something, she would tell Alice that he was the father of her son. He would see what kind of a mood Frances was in and if he felt able he would tell her he needed money to start a business.
    In the meantime he would let Maura stew. If he left her long enough, she might just give up and go off somewhere . . .

Three
    E mily read the letter from Alice, her brow furrowing as she discovered that three of Alice’s children were down with the chicken pox – and then Dan had taken it too.
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    He was the worst patient of them all. He was covered in spots and Doctor Parks thought he might have smallpox, but it wasn’t and he is getting better at last. Connor had all the work to do, the milking and everything, but he got someone in to help and Dan is going to keep the lad on for a while. Now that he is feeling better we are taking Sally to stay with Frances for a week. Mary is having Danny, Jean and Rob to stay with her. Connor would have done his best to cope but it wouldn’t be fair on him . . .
    Emily laid her letter aside as the telephone shrilled. She was thinking what a rough time poor Alice had been having and wishing that Dan would bring all his family to her as she answered. ‘Emily Vane speaking . . .’
    â€˜Lady Vane – Emily?’ a man’s deep voice said. ‘I’m sorry it has been such a long time. I always meant to keep in touch, but you know how it is – we lead such busy lives.’
    â€˜Alan?’ Emily was shocked as she heard the voice of Vane’s cousin, but surprise was followed swiftly by guilt. ‘How are you? It must be two years since you last telephoned . . .’
    â€˜Nearer three, I should think,’ Alan said. ‘How are things with you? I expect you run the place seamlessly, carrying on the traditions in Vane’s name.’
    â€˜I do my best,’ Emily laughed. ‘Like you, I’m busy, but I like that – don’t you?’
    â€˜I suppose I must or I wouldn’t do it,’ Alan said and his laugh was husky and warm. ‘Anyway, I’ve just pushed through a sale of some of my businesses, which will mean that I am going to have a little less to do in the immediate future. My doctor has told me that I should slow down – take a bit of a rest.’
    â€˜I’m sorry. Nothing serious, I hope?’
    â€˜I had a scare. A slight heart attack, they say. I am told that I was lucky and was warned to take things easier, which means I have to learn to delegate.’
    â€˜I suppose we all have to do that in the