John Johns was tapping the steering wheel when I came out. I was late and I was in a state. He just looked at me in the rear-view mirror as I slid into the back seat. I knew he had to be over at Arthur Rowley’s to help with a cow being de-horned and daylight was burning. The small saw he needed was on the passenger seat. He didn’t have time to waste on this nonsense.

I lay down as he pulled out of the car park and must have slept because when I woke up I was still in the car on the street at Johns Farm. I was freezing cold and it was dark and pouring with rain but there was something else wrong. My whole body was in motion; it was turning and splitting from side to side. I got to the house between pains and Bridie knew as soon as she clocked me.

–  Oh darlin’, I was just about to waken you … Oh my! Is it time, is it time?

–  Help me, Bridie! Help me!

She got me from the half-door to the Lower Room and on to the bed. We both knew we were alone. Bridie would never make it to The Hill and the phone in this terrible weather and I wouldn’t let go of her anyway. We both thought that John would be back and he could run for help but he didn’t appear. She checked several times for his tractor headlights sweeping across the window and tried to cover her fear. She stayed with me for every one of the eight hours it took as I screamed and cried and howled my way through it. The rain drummed on the red tin roof as Bridie told me over and over and over that I was going to be alright. She was all I had, so I had to believe her.

My little girl was born at 2am and the rain stopped when Bridie had given her a bit of a rub-down and handed her to me. She never made a sound. She had a crop of shocking-black hair, a real Rattigan. I never wanted to leave her out of my arms, not even for a second. I knew that I was going to be alright only because, all of a sudden, I wanted to be. I was glued to her tiny, serene face, I kissed her all over and promised her that nothing bad would ever befall her delicate head.

–  What will you call her?

–  Serena Bridget, after you, if you don’t mind?

–  Mind! I’m delighted! But what about your mother?

–  What about her? Where was she tonight? Where has she ever been? You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a real mother, Bridie, and don’t think I’ll ever forget it!

–  Oh Mary, Mary, you’re a darlin’! And so’s she!