The Reverend Mother offered a word of advice. ‘Be careful that everybody doesn’t come knocking on your door, Ada. You know better than most how important it is to rest in the last few months of pregnancy.’

Ada gave a quick nod of agreement. ‘I also know how comforting company can be too.’

Pushing back her chair, the Reverend Mother rose to her feet. ‘Well, the offer is there: take your time, perhaps discuss it with your husband,’ she suggested.

Ada sprang to her feet too. ‘I don’t need to take my time and there is no chance of discussing anything with my husband, who is on the Front Line,’ she blurted out. ‘The answer is yes, yes, please!’ Her eyes went dreamy as she breathlessly concluded the conversation. ‘Jamie and I have never shared anywhere together – Mary Vale Cottage will be our first home.’

With wings on her feet, Ada sped back to the ward, where she told her friends what had transpired in the Reverend Mother’s office.

‘She’s offered me Mary Vale Cottage!’ she rapturously declared.

Standing between Matron and Sister Theresa, naughty Dora raised her eyebrows in an expression of complicity.

‘Well, you don’t say!’ she cried.

Seeing Sister Theresa blushing to the edges of her white wimple, Ada stopped gabbling.

‘The Reverend Mother told me you’d all been involved.’

Dora gave a throaty giggle. ‘Believe you me, hardly a person in Mary Vale wasn’t involved.’

Ada’s eyes filled with grateful tears, and turning to Sister Ann who, she was sure, would have led the delegation, she said, ‘Thank you, all of you, I’m so happy!’ Unable to control her emotions and regardless of her big tummy, Ada spun round in a circle and cried, ‘I’m soooooo happy!’

Giddy with excitement, Ada immediately wrote a letter telling Jamie the good news; then, in the few quiet minutes that she had to herself during her break, she sat at her desk dreamily doodling.

Mary Vale Cottage:

TO DO LIST

Clean, Paint, Decorate

Furniture – cot/bed, linen

Kitchen – utensils

‘Our own home,’ she sighed. ‘It’s like a dream come true.’

When Ada went to inspect the cottage a few days later, the old lady who was leaving kindly showed her around the place, which was spotlessly clean and smelt of lavender soap and wax candles.

‘My daughter in Lancaster has built a modern annexe for me and furnished it too,’ she proudly explained. ‘So you’re welcome to all the furniture, if you like it, that is.’

Ada’s big eyes widened in delight.

‘Take another look round on your own,’ the old lady urged. ‘I’ll make us a nice pot of tea.’