It was Ivy who answered her knock on the door and her face glowed at the sight of her, while Holly could only gape at her. In the weeks since they’d seen each other Ivy seemed to have ballooned to double her size.

‘I know what yer thinkin’,’ Ivy groaned as she stared down at her rounded stomach. ‘I look like I’ve swallowed a watermelon, don’t I? An’ I’ve still got about another two months to go, so God alone knows how big I’ll be by then. I’m beginnin’ to forget what me feet look like, but come on in. Yer mam’s been on tenterhooks all day waitin’ fer you an’ I reckon Cook has some supper ready fer you.’

At that moment, Emma came out of the drawing room and gave Holly a fierce hug. Then holding her at arm’s length she scowled. ‘Are you eating properly? I’m sure you’ve lost weight,’ she fretted. ‘And why didn’t you tell us what time your train would arrive, we could have come to meet you. I don’t like the thought of you walking the streets alone in the dark.’

Holly grinned as she kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘I’m a big girl now, Mother. But where’s that supper? I haven’t eaten since lunchtime and then I only managed to grab a quick sandwich in the canteen. I’m starving!’

They went into the kitchen where Cook had a large bowl of leek and potato soup and some fresh crusty bread and butter waiting for her.

‘So how long can you stay?’ Ivy asked when Holly had finished.

‘Only until Sunday, I’m afraid.’ Holly was pleased to see that Ivy was looking much better. Her arm was healed now and her ribs were nowhere near as painful as they had been although as yet Emma would still only allow her to do light duties about the house.

‘So how are things back in London?’ Ivy asked eventually when Holly had finished her meal.

Holly shrugged. ‘Much the same really. All I seem to do is work and sleep at the moment.’

‘And have you seen anything of that nice Dr Parkin?’ There was a mischievous twinkle in Ivy’s eye and Holly flushed.

‘He’s away training,’ she answered as nonchalantly as she was able to. She hadn’t liked to tell Ivy too much about Richard because after what Jeremy had done to her, she felt guilty about telling her how happy he made her. ‘But now tell me about you. It looks like my mother and Cook are taking good care of you.’

Ivy’s face instantly became solemn. ‘They are. Your mam made me see the doctor and she’s got a midwife lined up already.’

‘And have you got everything ready for the baby?’

It was Ivy who flushed and looked embarrassed now. ‘Only essentials. There’s not much point gettin’ too much stuff together if I ain’t plannin’ on keepin’ it.’

Holly sighed. She’d hoped that Ivy would have had a change of heart about keeping the baby by now but she clearly hadn’t.