‘Waste of bleddy time talkin’ t’ she,’ Nollie Skewes scoffed. ‘She don’t understand a bleddy word what’s said, never ’as. Only good for one thing, an’ Philip Trenchard ’ere knows what that is. I ’ope you’ve brung the money you promised with ’ee, or ’e’s off to prison for rape. Won’t get away with it whatever either of ’ee tries. Everyone round ’ere knows ’e can’t keep ’is breeches up and no one else ’as been round Ruth while ’e’s been ’aving ’er. When the brat’s born you can take it with you like we agreed. Leave it ’ere and I’ll kill the little bastard.’

With a roar of rage Philip flew across the hovel and grabbed the woman by the throat. He began to choke her.

‘Not if I kill you first, you evil bitch.’

‘Philip, stop it,’ Catherine shouted through the struggle and Ruth’s agonized screams. ‘You’ve threatened to kill her so often the whole district is holding its breath waiting for you to do so. Do you want to end up in Bodmin gaol hanging from a rope? Leave her be and help me bring your child into the world, from this poor girl you’ve abused so sinfully.’

Philip let her go, but unable to tolerate her presence pushed her out of the hovel. Another scream brought him to his knees beside his stepmother. He ducked to avoid being kicked by Ruth.

‘How much longer?’

‘Not long, I think. Pass me the parcel of clothes I brought for the baby. When Ruth pushes it out we’ll have to act quickly, for I fear she’ll kill it in her struggles. Hold her still.’

‘God, this is disgusting.’ Philip turned his head from the sight of the bloodied something emerging from between the girl’s thighs. Catherine fought to keep her scrap of dress up out of the way.

‘Not as disgusting as the act that brought this poor girl to this. How could you, Philip? You’ve women enough eager to be with you, why go with a child of simple mind? You disgust me.’

While Catherine accused him she got a grip on the baby’s head. She feared it would be difficult to keep her hold, but Ruth, either worn out, or some instinct warning her she could cost her baby its life if she continued to thrash about, went limp.

Philip looked round. ‘She’s stopped pushing. You’ll have to pull it out like we sometimes do with a calf or a lamb.’

Catherine sent up silent prayers and set to work.

Dawn came and Philip stepped out from the hovel, holding aside the planking that served as a door for Catherine. She had a bundle in her arms.