‘But he’s just a boy.’

‘No, my little sweet, Jack’s a grown man now.’

‘He’ll always be a boy to me, like one of my own children.’

‘And you’ll soon be adding another to your family,’ Clem said, pressing a hand to her forehead to feel her temperature.

‘What?’ Memory of her labour rushed back to her. ‘But the pains have stopped.’

‘No they haven’t, you’re so worn out you’ve been sleeping through them. I’ve felt your middle, it’s still contracting and they’re getting stronger.’

As if to prove the truth of his words she felt the next pain. Caught unaware, it was sheer agony and she doubled over, fighting to control her breathing and letting out a loud squeal.

‘This one is different… to my other labours…’ she panted. ‘I wish Alice was here… and that… I had some of Beatrice’s… raspberry leaf tea to ease the discomfort…’

Clem held her hands as Kenver had done. ‘I’ll go and have a look in Rosie’s box of remedies and see if she’s got some in there. Father’s gone to get Alice so she’ll be here quite soon.’

‘No!’ Kerensa said fearfully. ‘Please don’t leave me, it won’t be much longer now.’

‘If Father can get Dr Crebo to come straightaway he might feel he’ll have to treat Jack first. If Alice is not here in time, well, I’ve delivered many a calf and lamb.’

Kerensa had sunk back into the same welcome, comfortable darkness. When she opened her eyes her head was turned towards the window and she stared out at the cloudless pale blue sky and waited for the next contraction. None came.

‘Kerensa.’

She turned to face Clem.

‘That’s the second time you’ve fainted on me today.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she said wanly, ‘you always used to say you had no patience with silly fainting females.’

‘In your case you’re excused,’ he smiled. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to reveal suntanned arms about a bundle of cloth.

‘What have you got there?’ she asked sleepily.

‘This tiny little thing in my arms?’

‘Is it – my baby?’ Her face broke into a shining smile. ‘You have my baby?’

‘Aye, and she’s as beautiful as her mother.’

‘She?’

‘A tiny wisp of a thing but I reckon she’s fine. Do you want to hold her?’

Kerensa held out her arms, she had no strength left to try to sit up. Clem sat on the bed, handed her the baby, then lifted her and encircled them both in his arms.

‘I’ve never held a newborn baby before. I’ve always been afraid of them, even my own, but it’s different when you help bring one into the world,’ he said proudly.

‘Just look at her,’ Kerensa whispered. ‘She was nearly full term but she’s smaller than your twins were.’