The child’s deep black eyes reminded everyone of what she was and the room went quiet. Kerry pulled her baby to her naked breasts and said softly, ‘Oh, Briony, I never believed I could love something so much. But I do. Oh, God help me, I do.’

Briony smiled down at her sister and put her hand on top of hers where it held the child’s head.

‘I told you, didn’t I? And I’ll tell you something else. That feeling never goes away. I know that myself. Isn’t that right, Mum?’ All the animosity had gone from Briony now as she looked at her mother, and Molly, feeling a great big lump in her throat, said: ‘No, Bri. You never lose that feeling for your children. No matter what they do.’

Even as she spoke the words, she knew they were lies. Kerry was nothing to her now, and this grandchild was even less. The knowledge, accepted and admitted, was nevertheless true. And like most truths, the knowledge ripped her apart inside, because it hurt.

It was Christmas Day. No one had slept, but the dinner was still festive and gregarious. Molly was drinking heavily, and no one minded. The whole house was full of good will and camaraderie. Molly sat in the kitchen with Mrs Horlock, who was also full of beer, and the two women discussed the situation in the house in hushed tones.

Mrs Horlock could sympathise with Molly, even though she couldn’t totally agree with her. The new child had been adopted by the whole household. Briony and Bernadette could not bear to be away from her for any length of time, and they all talked about her incessantly.

Upstairs in Kerry’s room Briony looked at the baby for the thousandth time and said, ‘She is the best Christmas present ever. All we need now is Eileen’s little baby and we’ll have a whole new generation of Cavanaghs under one roof.’

Kerry got upset, knowing that Briony was thinking of her own son who was enjoying his Christmas Day with others.

‘Thanks for standing by me, Bri.’ Her voice was thick with tears, the enormity of what she had done just now hitting her. Bernadette and Briony cuddled her as she wept.

‘I don’t know why I’m crying, I’ve never been so happy in me life!’

Bernadette laughed out loud.

‘You’re just tired, that’s all. Mum always cried after a baby.’

Briony nodded in agreement.

‘Mum cried because she wasn’t sure how she was going to afford the new arrival. Well, Kerry ain’t got no worries on that score.’

‘That’s the truth. Come on, Kerry, drink your glass of port. The midwife said it will build your blood up, whatever that means!’

Bernadette held the glass to her lips and Kerry sipped the thick red liquid as she had been told.