Happily, three days ago the baby, who was still unnamed, was deemed well enough to be allowed home, and for now, home was here at Anchor House. So far the transition had had a positive effect on both Willow and the baby, both of whom seemed to be thriving.

Naomi was so very proud of her youngest daughter. With everything she had gone through, including the horror of what had happened to her as a student, she had shown extraordinary strength and resilience. Even Martha had admitted that she didn’t think she would have coped half so well as her sister had.

What really touched Naomi’s heart was seeing the strong bond of love that Willow so clearly felt for her baby. It reminded her of the conversation she’d once had with Colin when he’d said that what their youngest daughter would need in life was for somebody to take care of her and Naomi had disagreed, saying that the making of Willow would be having someone she could take care of. How true that now seemed.

As if agreeing with Naomi, there came a snuffling sound from the baby monitor on the dresser. Having promised Willow faithfully that she would listen out for the baby and call her if there was a problem, she went and stood next to the monitor to make sure she didn’t miss anything. After a few more snuffling sounds, all went quiet. Which of course meant she was compelled to go upstairs to double-check all was well. Smiling to herself, she remembered doing exactly the same when Martha and Willow were babies.

As she climbed the stairs as stealthily as a cat-burglar, she wondered how things were going next door.

Watching Willow take in the improvements he’d made to the ground floor of the cottage, Ellis asked her what she thought of it all.

‘You’ve done so much in such a short space of time,’ she said, shrugging off her coat and putting it on the back of a chair. ‘I love the way the kitchen and sitting area now opens out straight onto the garden, it’s like the beach is even nearer.’

‘That was what I hoped I’d achieve by installing the bi-fold doors,’ he said, standing next to her so that they were both facing the garden and sea beyond. ‘Do you want to see upstairs? I finished painting the landing last night, so you’ll have to excuse the smell of paint.’ He indicated that she should go up the narrow flight of stairs first.

At the top, he led the way into the smaller of the three bedrooms. All it contained was one piece of furniture and when Willow saw it, she looked puzzled. ‘Why is there a cot in here?’ she asked.

‘Because I wondered if you might like to make this your home with the baby.’

The puzzled expression deepened. ‘But it’s yours. You’ve been doing the cottage up as an investment. Something for Lucas to enjoy, perhaps.’