‘Well, there’s no doubt someone’s fallen on their feet,’ breathed Cordelia. ‘My goodness, she sounds as bright as a lark and not missing us at all.’

‘It’s such a relief to know she’s taken to it. I just hope her father won’t get dejected if his letter is anything like this one,’ said Peggy.

‘Jack’s mature enough to be thankful that it’s all turned out well and his girl isn’t pining for home. It would be awful if she was feeling the same way as poor Ruby.’

Cordelia eased Daisy’s head to a more comfortable spot against her shoulder and eyed the other letters on the table. ‘What does Ruby have to say, Peggy?’

Peggy opened Ruby’s letter to discover it wasn’t very long at all. Scanning down the single page, she realised little had changed for poor Ruby.

‘She’s written in haste because the weather is closing in and she wanted to catch the post,’ she said. ‘She thanks me for the baby clothes I sent, and Mike’s mother, Claudine, is teaching her to knit and sew in preparation for the baby’s arrival in March.’

She scanned the rest of the short letter, her spirits plummeting. ‘Mike and his father have now gone up to the logging camp, and probably won’t be back until after the baby is born – which means Ruby will spend her first married Christmas with just Claudine.’

‘Oh, dear,’ murmured Cordelia. ‘That poor girl. I do feel for her.’

Peggy returned to the letter and read the last of it out to her.

The snow is starting to fall and although it looks as pretty as a Christmas card, it means getting into town for me doctor’s appointments is really dangerous – even with heavy chains on the truck tyres. Claudine’s stockpiled food and emergency supplies to see us through until the thaw, and she’s promised me that if this baby comes early, she’ll know what to do.

I ain’t happy about it, Aunt Peggy. When I were married to Ray, I lost two babies cos of his beatings, and I don’t know what sort of damage he might have done to me insides. I wish I could move into the hotel in town, but Claudine won’t hear of it, so I’m stuck here.

Peggy turned over the page. ‘She apologises for moaning, bless her,’ she said. ‘And wishes she could be with us for Christmas. She’ll write again when the snow starts to thaw and the mail can be delivered again.’

Peggy folded the letter and gave a deep sigh. ‘I’m really finding it hard to forgive Mike in all this. Whatever was he thinking of to take her there and then leave her with his mother for months on end?’

‘I’ll be very surprised if that marriage lasts,’ replied Cordelia sadly. ‘Not many women would put up with such behaviour, and our Ruby isn’t cut out for that sort of life, especially now she’s expecting.’

‘I didn’t know she’d had two miscarriages,’ murmured Peggy. ‘No wonder the poor girl’s so frantic to have a proper doctor to hand.’