‘When my baby’s born, if anything happens to me, will you be a witness that I want Briony to have it? You would have it, wouldn’t you, Bri? Don’t let Mum have it. I don’t want me mum bringing it up. I want you to. You and Kerry and Bernie. Promise me?’

Briony nodded.

‘Of course I promise, but nothing’s going to happen to you. You’ll get better. You’re better already. Look at you, nattering on. You’re halfway there already. So don’t think about anything like that. Now do you want another cup of tea?’

‘Please. Mary, I was just talking to Briony about when we were kids. I helped deliver Briony, you know. I was only three, but I was the one who held her head while me mum pushed her out. The midwife was late, and me and me mum delivered her between us. After it was over me mum sat me by the fire with Briony in me arms while she burnt the rags and the newspapers. I was just coming up four, but I can remember it clearly.’

Mary smiled.

‘Well, you would, something like that.’

‘I loved Briony more than the others, she was like my baby after that. The others came thick and fast, a few dead ones and a few misses, as me mum called them. But Briony was special to me. I’d helped her into the world, as if I’d given birth to her meself.’

Briony felt an absurd lump in her throat hearing her sister talk. A great rush of love for Eileen washed over her.

Eileen grimaced again, and her tea spilt into the saucer. She made a grunting sound and Mary and Briony both looked at one another in alarm. Taking the cup from Eileen, Briony pulled back the covers of the bed. Lying between Eileen’s legs, unmoving, was a tiny baby. She dropped the cup to the carpet with shock.

‘Jesus save us! Mary, get the doctor! For goodness’ sakes, get a doctor!’

Eileen lay back in the bed, a triumphant smile on her face. Briony stared down at the child. It looked like a skinned rabbit. Then it moved, its small hand making a fist, and mewled like a newborn kitten.

‘It’s alive! Oh, thank God, it’s alive.’

Sister Mary pushed Briony out of the way and took over. It was Briony who telephoned the doctor, Kerry and Bernie were outside on the landing and Mrs Horlock and Cissy were inside helping.

Briony pushed through the door, her heart beating like mad, her face flushed.

Cissy held the little boy in her arms by the fire, and Mrs Horlock pushed down on Eileen’s stomach.

‘What’s going on?’

Mrs H flapped a hand in front of her face and resumed her pushing.

‘There’s another little bugger in here or I’m a Chinaman. Come on, Eileen love, push!’