She was back in no time. ‘Nurse says everythin’ is goin’ along fine, sir, an’ it shouldn’t be long now.’ And then suddenly another sound floated down the staircase and they stared at each other. It was the sound of a newborn baby’s cry and Jeremiah was sure nothing had ever sounded so sweet.

‘Thank God,’ he whispered as he went to stand at the foot of the stairs. Minutes later Mrs Carter appeared with a tiny bundle wrapped in a white shawl in her arms and started down the stairs towards him.

‘It’s a little girl, Jeremiah.’ Her voice was full of wonder. ‘A very beautiful little girl.’ As she gently folded the shawl back, he found himself staring down into a tiny face. ‘And look, the midwife calls this an angel’s kiss.’ She pointed to a small heart-shaped birthmark on the infant’s thigh.

‘She is truly special then. And Amber?’

‘Doing fine. She was so brave,’ she said with a catch in her voice. ‘But now would you mind coming into the kitchen with me to hold her while I prepare some water for her bath.’

‘Of course.’ Once in the kitchen Jeremiah sank down into Mrs Carter’s favourite chair and when she placed the newborn in his arms he smiled down at her, his joy at her birth tinged with sadness.

‘I don’t think it’s going to be as easy for Amber to give her up as she thought it would be,’ he said quietly and Mrs Carter nodded in agreement.

‘I know. She wouldn’t even look at her and she was crying so hard she couldn’t catch her breath, but what else can the poor lamb do? She wants to feel she’s doing the best for the baby.’

They both fell silent.

‘Well . . . there is something . . .’ he said hesitantly.

‘Oh yes, and what would that be?

‘They could both stay here with us!’ When Mrs Carter stared at him in amazement, he hurried on, ‘It makes sense, doesn’t it? The few people who have met her since she came to stay here believe she is a young widow. They need never know any different.’

‘Hm, I suppose we could put the idea to her,’ she agreed pensively, although deep down she had an idea that Amber wouldn’t agree to it. Other people might not know but Amber would, and the girl had morals.

Once the baby was bathed and dressed in one of the tiny nightshirts Amber and Mrs Carter had made, she was carried upstairs to her mother but the moment Mrs Carter entered the room with her, Amber turned her head away.