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Ravenscroft after swallowing another mouthful.
    ‘The recipe was handed down to me by my late grandmother , and she always claimed that it had been given to her by her grandmother, who said it had been given to her by a cook who worked for good Queen Anne!’ proclaimed the cook.
    ‘Well, what is good for Queen Anne is certainly more than welcome to me. You must let my wife have the recipe. I suppose you must have worked for Sir Charles and Lady Chilton for a number of years?’ inquired Ravenscroft.
    ‘For the past fifteen years sir.’
    ‘And you, Mister Jukes?’ continued Ravenscroft.
    ‘About ten years, but you were here before Sir Charles, were you not, Mrs Greenway?’
    ‘Yes. I was here when Master Peter was here – and before him when Master Christopher was the owner,’ replied the cook replenishing Ravenscroft’s cup.
    ‘Forgive me, but what relation were these gentlemen to Sir Charles?’ asked Ravenscroft interested in gaining all he could from the lady.
    ‘Sir Christopher were the father of Sir Charles and Master Peter. He was a real gentleman. Always asking after the servants’ welfare. Nothing was too much trouble. Lookedafter us all proper he did. There was always a generous present at Christmas there was. Master Peter was his eldest son, and he was a lovely man, but then he had been such a good child, so kind and gentle, a really loving child if you get my meaning,’ said the cook warming to her subject.
    ‘And what happened to Sir Christopher and Master Peter?’
    ‘Died sir. About ten years ago it was. Master Peter died suddenly. He went away one day on business to London and caught a fever there by all accounts. His death broke his father’s heart. He never go over it. Died himself a few months afterwards. They’re both buried in the churchyard yonder.’
    ‘How very sad,’ sympathized Ravenscroft. ‘So Sir Charles took over the business then?’
    ‘He did indeed,’ said Jukes leaning back in his chair.
    ‘And how do you find Sir Charles?’
    ‘“Find” sir?’ asked Jukes.
    ‘Yes, how do you find Sir Charles – is he an easy master to work for?’
    ‘Not for us to say, sir,’ said the servant defensively.
    ‘I quite understand your reluctance to talk about your master. I appreciate that. Loyalty is to be commended in a servant these days.’
    ‘Master can be a bit hard at times,’ said the cook. ‘He likes to run a tight ship, if you get my drift.’
    ‘I am sure he does. And Lady Chilton?’
    ‘Ah, now she is totally different. I’ve never met a kinder woman, the poor soul,’ nodded the cook.
    ‘Oh, why do you say that?’ asked Ravenscroft thankful that his easy line of questioning was at last beginning to bring forth encouraging results.
    ‘Not well. Stays in her room all day now. She sees no one except for the family and Doctor Staple. No one can find what’s wrong with her,’ continued Mrs Greenway.
    ‘I am sorry to hear that. Has Lady Chilton been ill for long?’
    ‘For past year I’d say, wouldn’t you say so, Mrs Greenway,’ said Jukes.
    ‘As long as that, Mr Jukes? Well yes, I suppose it must be.’
    ‘How long have Sir Charles and Lady Chilton been married?’ asked Ravenscroft.
    ‘For nearly nine years I’d say. Of course she was betrothed to Master Peter first. They made a lovely couple. So much in love. But then, as we said, he died so unexpected. A great tragedy it was sir.’
    ‘A bit like Catherine of Aragon,’ suggested Ravenscroft.
    ‘Catherine of Aragon?’, asked Jukes.
    ‘Yes, you know, Jukes, she married Henry VIII, after first being betrothed to his elder brother,’ offered Mrs Greenway.’
    ‘Is Miss Mildred their only child?’ asked Ravenscroft.
    ‘Yes sir.’
    ‘Would you say that she is a happy child? Is she well cared for by her parents?’ asked Ravenscroft becoming more intrigued.
    ‘Why yes sir. Her mother adores her. Cannot do enough for her. I sometimes think that she only lives for her daughter. She is very