Knowing how volatile James could be, Elizabeth Cullen and Sarah Blay had connived to visit Catherine and the children separately. During a morning walk, they’d worked out which of them would visit on which days.
James’ mood turned the day he came home for dinner to see his mother sitting at the kitchen table helping Margaret with her lessons.
‘Mother, please come outside so we may speak,’ he turned and stomped back out the door through which he’d just come.
Sarah looked at Catherine, patted Margaret’s hand and followed her eldest son outside into the cold New Norfolk winter afternoon. She considered how the temperature outside matched her son’s soul. She didn’t speak. She waited.
‘I know it is difficult for you to keep out of my business but coming to New Norfolk was not intended as an
