Kate stifled a yawn. She was tired, but guessed her mother was even more weary. ‘It’s all right, Mam, I’ll manage.’ She picked up a pile of dirty plates and went through to the deep white sink in the back scullery, while her mother sat in the Windsor chair to feed Lilian. Kate would do anything to escape the sight of the baby guzzling at her mother’s overflowing breast. She would even face the mountain of washing-up single-handed to avoid seeing the tender expression on her mother’s face as she gazed down at the greedy Lilian.

Half an hour later, her stepfather came in through the back door.

‘All on your own, Katie? Where’s your mother?’

‘Upstairs. Lilian won’t settle.’ She set another of her mother’s best cups carefully on the draining-board.

Jonathan picked up a tea-towel and began to dry the pots. He grinned at Kate, the familiar, lopsided smile crinkling his eyes. ‘All the excitement of getting herself christened, I expect.’

There was silence between them, the only sounds being the clatter of china as together they washed and dried it, setting it carefully on the kitchen table for Esther to put away herself in the cabinet in her front parlour.

He was an unusual man, Kate mused. Not many men would help with the household chores the way he did.

‘Babies – little babies – ’ he began hesitantly, ‘are not much fun. She’ll be different when she’s grown a little.’

‘I shan’t be here that much, shall I?’ Kate muttered.

The silence lengthened and she felt he was searching for the right words. ‘Kate, you mustn’t think . . .’

‘At last!’ Esther stepped out of the kitchen into the scullery. ‘I thought she’d never settle!’

Kate saw the glance that passed between her mother and stepfather.

‘You all right, love?’ His blue eyes were full of tender concern.

Her mother moved and stood close to him, reached up and, placing her palms against his chest, kissed him gently on the mouth. Still holding the tea-towel in one hand and a plate in the other, his arms went around her and they stood together, oblivious now of Kate’s presence. Whatever he had been going to say to her had flown from his mind the moment her mother had stepped into the scullery.

Kate bent her head over the soapy washing-up water, her hair falling forward to hide her tears.

*

‘It’s all settled – you start in two weeks’ time.’

Her mother was standing before her dressed in her best costume and pulling off her gloves. ‘I’ve been to Lincoln on the train today and seen the headmistress – Miss Denham. I’m to take you on the Wednesday – the day after the term actually starts. She says that will give everyone else time to have settled back into school.’