She didn’t add, ‘And because I cannot bear the thought of being away from you for more than two hours at a time.’ Ada marvelled at the enormity of her love for Catherine; it filled her life with joy and laughter, and every stage in her development was a marvel. The only sadness, as ever, was that she had had no recent news from Jamie, and that her darling husband couldn’t see his baby grow and thrive as she could. Ada had borrowed Matron’s camera and taken a few black-and-white photographs, which she had immediately posted off in the hope that her husband would eventually receive them. Post to and from North Africa was wildly erratic, though Ada had heard from Jamie after he had been notified of his daughter’s birth. With tears streaming down her face and her heart aching with love, she had read the letter that had taken so long to get through to her.

My wonderful girl,

I am so happy and relieved that all went well and that you didn’t suffer too much giving birth to Catherine. A daughter – how wonderful! Does she have your sparkling eyes and a little dimple in her chin? My heart is so full of love and pride, I can’t stop talking to the chaps about you and our baby. Everybody is very kind and patient with me forever rambling on about how beautiful my little girl is, especially so now, when we have low energy due to the scorching heat, reduced rations and water is always a problem. But at least I’m not in a POW camp, where I’m told the conditions are appalling. We’re still ministering to the sick and the wounded, and there are plenty of those. General Montgomery’s influence promises to be huge; he’s quite the tour de force, boosting morale and planning to retrain the troops for the next attack, which will have to come soon if we’re to stop Rommel and his men from reaching Alexandria and the Suez Canal. Enough of all that. I just want to think of you and the baby for the moment, I’m closing my eyes and imagining you first, the smell of your hair, your lovely long legs and that radiant smile that melts my heart, then my sweet Catherine, lying sleeping – or crying – in the crook of my arm. One day, please God, let that be so; I count the hours and pray the good Lord will keep you both safe until I’m home. Please send me more photos of our baby, and you too, my most beloved.

Your devoted husband,

Jamie.