Where they failed with Rosie, Esther succeeded with Beth. For a couple of hours she had sat in the chair on the opposite side of the range, gripping the arms until her knuckles showed white, staring ahead of her at nothing in particular.

At last, Esther, after trying soothing words of sympathy which didn’t work, stood in front of Beth. Her feet set apart, hands on hips, Esther Godfrey went into action.

‘Now look here, Beth Eland, this ain’t no good. You’ve lost a good man, I know that, and you’re worried sick about young Danny. But as Kate says, we’ve got to hope for him yet. Now you mun think on yar grand-bairn. Ya’ve got to help us with Rosie . . .’ Esther stood a moment watching Beth for any sign of a response. There was none.

Kate saw her mother glance across at her, raising her shoulders in a gesture of helplessness. ‘I’m sorry, Katie,’ she murmured. ‘There’s nothing for it. There’s one way to bring her out of it, but it’s – it’s a bit brutal.’

Kate watched Beth for a moment. The woman was in a kind of trance. ‘Do whatever you have to, Mam.’

Esther took a deep breath and leaned forwards, her face close to Beth’s. ‘It’s yar grand-bairn, Beth – yours and Matthew’s!’

Kate winced. Her mother had not been underestimating her own harsh tactics, but when Kate saw Beth blink and begin to focus her eyes upon Esther towering over her, she knew her mother had been right.

Now Beth’s hands loosened their panic-stricken grip on the chair and she reached towards Esther, who clasped her hands and chafed them between her own. ‘That’s it, Beth. Come on, lass.’

Kate stifled a half-hysterical giggle. To hear her mother call Beth Eland ‘lass’ was comical and yet, she thought, perhaps they do still see each other as girls. Girls who might, once upon a time, have been friends.

‘Oh, Esther.’ Beth spoke for the first time since Kate had broken the news to them. ‘How am I to bear it?’

Esther just patted her hand, unable, for once, to think of anything to say.

Kate’s attention swivelled suddenly back to Rosie as the girl gave a gasp that was nothing to do with weeping. Rosie was bending over and clutching her stomach. ‘Oh – it hurts!’

‘Mam . . .’ Kate began, but already Esther had turned from Beth back to Rosie.

‘Where, lass?’

‘Here.’ Rosie smoothed her hands round her abdomen and down her groin. ‘It’s all right,’ she sniffled, ‘it’s going off now.’

Esther watched her for a moment as the girl relaxed, sat up again and leaned back in the chair. Then Esther glanced back at Beth. ‘Is everything ready?’ she asked quietly.