It startled Alice to her feet. ‘Dr Crebo’s just told me the news. I’ll go up to Kerensa. What did you wrap the baby in? I’ll turn out something of Jessica’s. I still have her baby clothes, I didn’t have the heart to give them away even though it’s unlikely I’ll have another.’

Clem went to her and kissed her forehead. ‘I’m glad you’re back, I needed you.’

This was so unexpected Alice gasped. He rarely kissed her unless as a prelude to lovemaking and he had never told her he needed her. ‘You did? What is it, a boy or a cheeil?’

‘A little girl, so tiny she looks like a drop in the ocean.’

Alice looked deeply into her husband’s eyes, trying to read what this birth meant to him. Often when she spoke to him he gave her only half his attention but the steady gaze she received back seemed to suggest that this time he was fully with her.

‘Has Kerensa chosen a name yet?’

‘Aye, Kelynen.’

‘That’s nice.’

Alice climbed the narrow turning staircase with a heavy heart. Clem had wanted Jessica to be called Kelynen but Alice had insisted on naming their daughter as he had chosen the names of the twins. Clem must have suggested Kelynen to Kerensa. Alice knew Kerensa had deliberately not chosen a name for her baby in the hope that Oliver would be home in time for the birth and they could choose together, and hopefully be brought closer together again. If that had been the case, the baby’s first name would not have been Cornish.

That night Alice and Clem made up a bed for themselves in the kitchen where they could easily be called if Kerensa wanted anything and Morley could quickly fetch them if Jack needed extra nursing or took a turn for the worse. They pushed the heavy table aside and Clem laid sacks of clean, fresh-smelling straw in front of the hearth. Alice covered the sacks with a sheet and stood back and frowned.

‘How are we both going to fit on that? ’Tis no bigger than Jessica’s bed and I’ve put on a bit of weight in the last few years.’ She patted her generous hips and fully expected Clem to say he would sit up all night in a chair.

But Clem laughed and coming up behind her put his arms round her waist and nibbled her ear.

‘What are you doing, Clem Trenchard?’ she giggled, yet elated inside at this unexpected attention from him.

‘We managed in the small bed in the lean-to when you were carrying the twins,’ he said, his voice low and sultry as he ran his hands over her hips and bottom, ‘and have I ever complained about an extra pound or two around here?’

‘But—’

‘But what?’ He started on the other ear, making her wriggle about.