The woman left the room gratefully. Briony Cavanagh was paying her a lot of money to deliver this child and keep it quiet. She had no intention of blotting her copybook, not where Briony Cavanagh was concerned.

Kerry moaned as another pain shot through her. ‘Imagine, a Christmas baby, Bri. In another half an hour it’s Christmas Day!’

‘And what a present, eh? A baby.’

‘Now I know how poor old Mary felt!’

Briony laughed, pleased at how well Kerry was coping.

‘At least she had a husband, Bri, that’s one thing in her favour.’

Briony sat on the bed and said, ‘Yeah, but he wasn’t the father of the child, was he? Poor old Joseph got all the hag and none of the pleasure!’

Kerry grinned, scandalised. ‘If Mum was here, she’d flatten you for that remark.’

‘Yeah, well, she ain’t, is she? And it’s only the truth anyway. How are the pains?’

‘Let’s just say they’re there, shall we? Give me a drink of water, Bri, I’m parched.’

She doubled up as another pain shot through her. The sweat was standing out on her brow and Briony picked up the cloth and wiped her sister’s face gently.

‘Oh, that’s lovely, Bri.’

‘Here you are, have a drink of water.’ She held the heavy crystal glass to her sister’s lips.

Kerry gulped at the water, the coolness easing the burning of her throat.

‘Have a guess what I heard today, when I was shopping.’

‘What, a bit of scandal?’

Briony grinned. ‘No, nothing like that. I heard your record being played in all the music shops. It’s selling wonderfully.’

‘Oh, good.’ Kerry had a lot more on her mind at the moment and sighed.

‘I wish this bloody baby would hurry up and come, I’m starving.’

Briony laughed.

‘Bri, would you do me a favour?’

‘Of course, anything.’

‘Get me Mum, would you? I want me mum.’

Briony heard the hurt in her sister’s voice and said calmly, ‘Of course I will, love.’

Standing up she walked to the door, saying over her shoulder,

‘I’ll send the midwife back up and go and get the old woman meself. Be back soon, all right?’

Kerry nodded, panting in the aftermath of a pain.

Briony ran down the stairs and through to the kitchen. ‘Can you go back up, I have to go out.’

‘I’ve just made your tea!’

‘Then drink it yourself, Cissy. Mrs H, make Kerry something light - she’s starving. Coddled eggs will do. Where’s me coat?’

Cissy went to the scullery where the coat was hanging up, dripping water from the snow. Shaking it, she took it out to Briony.