The latch on the back gate clicked and through the livingroom window which looked out over the back yard, they saw Jonathan and Rosie appear.

Kate gave a squeal of delight and rushed to open the door. ‘Dad – and Rosie!’

There was much hugging and kissing and cooing over the baby before Kate could bring herself to ask the two questions uppermost in her mind. ‘How’s me mam?’ and ‘Is there any news of Danny?’

In answer to the first question, Jonathan pursed his mouth and shook his head, apology in his eyes. ‘Kate dear, I’ve tried everything I can think of, but she won’t budge. I begged her to come today but she refused. Your grandfather would have come, but he’s chesty this winter and travelling is so uncertain just now.’

Kate nodded. ‘I understand. I’ve taken some photographs of Ella with the camera he gave me. I’ll sort out one or two for you to take back.’

‘He’d like that, and maybe if your mother sees a picture of her grand-daughter . . .’

Kate forced a smile. ‘Maybe, Dad, maybe,’ but her tone did not hold much hope.

It was then she asked, ‘And Danny? Have you heard anything?’

Rosie’s mouth quivered and her eyes filled with easy tears. ‘Not a word, Kate. He must – be . . .’

‘No!’ The rebuttal came out sharper than she intended. ‘No, Rosie, don’t say that. Don’t even think it!’

Kate picked up the baby. ‘Come upstairs with us, Rosie, while I change her.’

Leaving Jonathan chatting to his mother, Kate and Rosie went upstairs to the large bedroom which Kate shared with her child.

‘Are you really happy here, Kate?’

‘As happy as I can be, Rosie,’ Kate said honestly, ‘in the circumstances. The Godfreys have been wonderful. I don’t know what I’d have done without them.’

Rosie bit her lip. ‘We all feel bad about ya mam’s attitude.’ She giggled. ‘Did ya know Danny’s mam went and had a big row with her? You should have seen ’em, standing toe to toe in the yard of Brumbys’ Farm going at each other hammer and tongs. Just words, like, I don’t mean it got to fisticuffs.’

‘Thank goodness for that,’ Kate said, feeling once more the stinging slap on her cheek. ‘Even so, I’m sorry they had a quarrel over me. I didn’t want to be the cause of more resentment between them. There’s enough already!’

Rosie shrugged. ‘I reckon they both enjoyed it really. Danny’s mam came back her eyes sparkling and her cheeks red. I think they both got a lot of things off their chests they’ve been harbouring for years. Mebbe they’ll start speaking to each other now.’

Kate laughed and said wryly, ‘I shouldn’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen, Rosie!’