‘Logan!’ Evanna’s voice was surprisingly firm. ‘You have to let Conner do this. We’re wasting time. I tell you this baby is coming now, whether you like it or not.’

Flora realised that it was the first time ever she’d heard Evanna raise her voice and Logan took several deep breaths, his face a mask of indecision. ‘All right—but I’ll be back.’ He strode away from them and Conner crouched down beside Evanna.

‘Are you comfortable there?’

‘I don’t think I’d be comfortable anywhere,’ she gasped, wincing as another contraction hit her. ‘Wait a minute. I can’t—Oh, Conner, I want to push—really…’

‘Just hold on.’ Flora dropped to her knees beside her friend. ‘We’re going to take a look, see if we can see the baby’s head. We need to assess what’s happening.’

‘I can tell you what’s happening,’ Evanna muttered, her teeth gritted. ‘I’m a midwife. This baby is coming. I think it’s called precipitate labour.’

‘Well, that’s good news,’ Conner said lightly. ‘If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s hanging around.’

Janet hurried into the room with the delivery pack.

‘Open it,’ Conner ordered brusquely. ‘We’re both wearing sterile gloves.’

‘Open it fast,’ Flora said calmly. ‘I can see the head. In fact, I’d say it will crown with the next contraction.’ It was too quick, she thought to herself. Much too quick. ‘Don’t push, Evanna. Can you take some shallow breaths? Pant? That’s brilliant. Janet, put the central heating on.’

Janet stared at her. ‘It’s the middle of the summer.’

‘It’s not that warm in here and it’s stormy outside. The temperature will drop and I want to heat the room a bit. And warm some towels.’ Just in case.

Evanna groaned. ‘I have to push. I can’t not push. You have no idea. I’ve got another contraction coming—I can feel the head, Flora.’

‘I know. It’s brilliant,’ Flora said cheerfully, ignoring Conner’s ironic glance. She used her left hand to control the escape of the head and then gently allowed it to extend, remembering the deliveries she’d observed in her training. ‘It’s all fine, Evanna. The head is out.’ And terrifying.

‘Is he breathing? Is the cord round the neck? It’s too fast. Logan was right,’ Evanna gasped, tears trickling out of her eyes.

‘That’s nonsense, Evanna,’ Flora said. She gently felt for the cord and her heart plummeted when she felt something. Struggling not to panic, she slid her fingers under it and slipped it over the baby’s head. Only then did she start to breathe again. ‘Everything is fine, Evanna. And there’s nothing wrong with having a baby at home, you know that. You’re a midwife!’