Josephine Cox Sunday Times Bestsellers Collection. Josephine Cox

I’m not happy about this business today.’

      ‘It will be all right,’ Lucy assured him.

      But he was far from satisfied.

      Some twenty minutes later, in Leonard Maitland’s study, the pair of them explained what Lucy had decided, and like Barney, Leonard disagreed with her. ‘Of course it’s your decision, my dear, but is it wise to return to your friend Bridget’s house? Don’t get me wrong, she’s charming and kind, and I know she’s been the best of friends to you, but she runs a bad house, Lucy. If you want my opinion, I don’t think that’s the right place for you to be.’

      ‘It’s the only place for me to be,’ Lucy answered. ‘Since she took me in, and right up until I moved into your cottage, she was like a mother to me. We understand each other, and I know that when Barney and his family leave, she will be my rock. She’s been kind enough to ask me if I want to stay with her, and I’ve accepted.’

      ‘Well then, if your mind is made up, I have to ask if you will do something for me?’

      ‘If I can, I will,’ Lucy readily agreed.

      On arriving, she had placed the keys to the cottage on his table. He now took them up and held them out to her. ‘Please take these back. I gave you the cottage to live in, with a secured tenancy, and though you may not want it at this moment in time, you may be glad of it later, when you’re able to think more clearly about your future and security.’

      When she hesitated, he lifted her hand and placed the keys on her palm. ‘Take them, Lucy. If you can’t go in yet, that’s fine, but there may come a day when you find comfort there. Whether you like it or not, the cottage is yours to live in, legal and binding.’

      With her hand still stretched out, Lucy remained unsure until, taking a step forward, Barney closed her fingers around the keys and pressed her arm to her side. ‘Mr Maitland’s right,’ he told her gruffly. ‘There might come a time when you need that cottage.’

      It was a moment before Lucy responded, and then she threw her arms round a startled but delighted Leonard Maitland. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered, her eyes bright and sad, and her heart so sore she could hardly bear it. She had come dangerously close to being lost forever, but these kind, caring folks had brought her back from the brink of despair. Maybe after all, there was a future for her. Time alone would tell.

      On the way back, feeling unwell, Barney stopped several times on the pretence of watching a hare or seeing ‘summat running through the spinney’. Lucy saw nothing of what he pointed out, so deep in thought, she took him at his word.

      ‘I’m so glad Mr Maitland managed to delay our voyage and the signing of the sale for another two weeks.’ Having recovered for a while, Barney strolled beside her. ‘He’s a thoughtful sort, don’t you think?’

      Lucy agreed. ‘You’ve all done more than enough for me, and now I’ve prepared myself for you all to be leaving soon. An extra two weeks won’t change that, will it?’

      ‘Mebbe not, Lucy love, but Mr Maitland is a real gentleman. He explained the circumstances to his solicitor, and out of respect for you, they’ve managed to hold it back, but only for the short term.’ He had other reasons for being grateful that the leaving would be delayed. ‘Vicky will be pleased when I tell her. She’s been that worried about you.’

      When a short time later they relayed the news to Vicky, she was thrilled. ‘At least now we’ll have a little more time together and it will help you get used to the idea of us going. What’s more, I can satisfy myself that you’re properly settled before we leave.’

      While they carried on talking, Barney excused himself. ‘I’ve a few things to tend to,’ he said, hurrying away before Vicky could question him too closely.

      Dodging anyone who knew him, Barney made his way to the village and Dr Lucas’s afternoon surgery. There was no one else there, and he was quickly shown in. ‘I trust you’re here to tell me you’re now ready to admit yourself for the tests?’ Having asked Barney several times to agree to go into the Infirmary, Dr Lucas never gave up hope that his patient would at last change his mind.

      Barney, however, soon shattered the man’s expectations. ‘If I came in for the tests, would it improve matters in any way?’

      ‘I can’t promise that.’ He was the kind of doctor who answered straightforward questions with straightforward answers. ‘As I’ve already explained, your heart is badly diseased, but we can’t tell how badly until we investigate further.’ Having already observed Barney’s laboured breathing and the grey pallor of his skin, he was deeply concerned. ‘I hope you realise how serious your condition is?’

      ‘I’m beginning to.’ Barney was truthful. ‘I’ve noticed how quickly I get tired of late, and sometimes it hurts to breathe.’ He gave a bright smile. ‘But I’m still here and I’m still fighting, so it can’t be all that bad, can it?’

      Giving no answer, but taking the stethoscope from around his neck, the doctor asked Barney to go behind the screen and take off his shirt. A moment later, he gave Barney a thorough examination.

      ‘Right! You can put your shirt back on now,’ he said, walking away and perching himself on the edge of his desk. There was a look of apprehension on his face.

      ‘Well?’ Barney, too, was apprehensive. ‘Is it worse?’

      ‘Bad enough.’ Looking directly at Barney he told him flatly, ‘You’re playing with fire, man.’

      ‘In what way?’

      ‘You haven’t followed my instructions at all, have you?’

      ‘Yes, I have,’ Barney blustered. ‘I’m taking the medication, just as you advised.’

      ‘That’s only part of it, and even that is only a short-term precaution until we know the extent of the damage. You haven’t slowed up much in your work, and I’ve seen with my own eyes how you still slave away on the farm, even after I warned you not to exert yourself.’

      Anger thickened his voice as he reprimanded his patient. ‘Good God, man! Are you intent on killing yourself? Keep on the way you are, and I can’t promise you’ll be alive a year from now, or even less!’

      Barney had known he was ill, but to have it spelled out like that, shocked him to the core. ‘I’m a working man, Doctor,’ he said quietly. ‘I can’t stop doing what I do; the cows won’t milk themselves if I can’t do it. My sons are a boon, but they need me with them a while yet.’

      The doctor did not mince his words. ‘If you continue to ignore my advice, they won’t have you at all.’

      ‘Then tell me this.’ Barney was torn all ways. ‘If I stopped working right now, and sat about like a cabbage in a patch, would that prolong my life by any great measure?’

      The doctor carefully considered Barney’s question before giving an honest if vague answer. ‘As I told you before, we don’t really know with these things. Your heart is in bad shape, and if you agreed to slow right down, that could well improve matters. I can’t be more specific than that.’

      Barney’s courage was never as low as it was in that moment; he was afraid for himself, but more so for his beloved family. When he spoke now, his words were sure and final. ‘There will be no hospital, and no tests,’ he said gruffly. ‘If I have a year, or less, then so be it.’ Standing to leave, he smiled wearily. ‘Thank you for all you’ve done.’

      Dr Lucas had known Barney well, and it pained him to see his spirit so low. ‘I’m very sorry,’ he said. ‘I only wish there was something more I could do.’

      ‘There is.’

      ‘Then name it.’

      ‘Without me to drag them down, my family have the chance to start a new life, and nothing must spoil that.’

      The doctor was astonished. ‘What are you saying? Surely