In the novel Sad Cypress, Ephraim 'Bob' Gerrard was the husband of Eliza Gerrard and the adopted father of Mary. He was the lodgekeeper at Hunterbury.
Gerrard was described as being an "elderly man with a bent back". He suffered from lumbago. He was often rude and cross, and did not get along with Mary.
Gerrard had once been attracted to Eliza Riley, but "washed his hands" of her when she became pregnant. However, he later started writing to her again. It was arranged that he and Eliza should marry, live at the Lodge, and raise Mary. They were married at St. Albans in 1919.
Towards the end of his life, Gerrard failed rapidly, suffering several dizzy spells. He also told Nurse Hopkins that Mary was not his daughter. According to Nurse Hopkins, he was unconscious for about an hour before he passed away.