Kerensa hung her head as she dabbed her sore face with the cloth. ‘It was one of the cruellest things to happen when… when I didn’t marry Clem… not being able to come to the farm and see you. You do understand… with Clem living here…’

‘Aye, but I knew I’d see you again one day and here you are.’

‘A pity it has to be with me in this sorry state and with poor Ja—’

She clutched her stomach and lowered her head to her chest as another contraction came. Kenver took her hands and she gripped his long, cool, sensitive fingers until it must surely hurt.

‘Sorry,’ she said, a while later.

‘It’s all right, I did the same for Alice till she went upstairs with Jessica. Are you sure you won’t lie down?’

‘No, please, I’d rather stay here.’ A small look of fear creased her face. ‘There… there may come a time when I’ll have to.’

‘Don’t worry,’ he said soothingly. ‘I’m sure I’ll manage to do what I have to. One thing about being stuck most of my life in the house with the women is I’ve overheard a heck of a lot about childbirth and other unmentionable things. Now wash your hands and face, you’ll feel a bit better. Then we’ll sit quietly and pray for the Lord’s protection over Jack.’

There were no clocks in Trecath-en Farm but Kenver reckoned when the sun dropped out of sight behind the barn and cast a long shadow over the yard an hour had passed. He hoped Clem or his father would appear very soon. Kerensa’s pains were becoming more frequent and knowing the layout of the farmland he knew Jack would be fully exposed under a scorching sun. He was worried about Kerensa. Her condition was weak and shocked for a woman about to face the final stages of labour and she was constantly falling into a faint. All his life Kenver had had people help and wait on him. Now, all of a sudden, here he was faced with the awesome responsibility of someone else’s welfare.

A cheerful whistling from out in the yard brought Kerensa to consciousness, her body rigid. If she’d been able she would have jumped out of the chair. Painfully she stood up and went to the door, blinking in the light. Clem was strolling across the yard, his crib bag held loosely over his shoulder. Kerensa couldn’t move or cry out, only stand and watch the tall young man with blond hair coming towards her.

When he saw her the crib bag was thrown aside. He ran, and in an instant she was in his arms, strong, capable, comforting arms to hold and protect her. She was safe now, held in his love. And then she drifted away into a sweet welcoming darkness.