I must admit it was a shock to see her trying to hide her contractions from me this way. But it just went to show what a determined little madam she could be.

I walked over to her and already I could see the look on her face. She was going to try and defy me.

She was on her knees by the wall, so far along towards the end of the garden I had almost missed her. I could see a few fisherman on the sea horizon and in the distance a couple of dog walkers. It was already gone 10 a.m. and Daisy had been up since seven-thirty so things must have progressed fairly rapidly. There wasn’t much time to lose. I needed her inside, where I had everything ready. I needed her away from any prying eyes. I put my arm outstretched ready for her to grab it and lift herself up.

‘Come on, Daisy, let’s get you inside.’

‘I don’t need your help, thank you Annie,’ she told me through gritted teeth.

‘Well, I would say quite the opposite. You need me very much, dear. I am the only friend you have here.’

‘Friend? Friend? You aren’t my friend, Annie. Eve was my friend. Ben was my friend.’

‘You’re delirious and in pain, Daisy. My life has revolved around you these last few months. I suggest you start feeling grateful, young lady, if only for the sake of that child.’ I let a long-awaited breath out of my body.

I watched as she struggled to get into a comfortable position. I realised that it wouldn’t be long now as I observed the behaviour, she was definitely displaying signs that she was getting closer.

‘Daisy, Daisy this is silly.’ With my anger subsided, I could talk her round, I was sure of it. I crouched down. ‘You don’t want to have the baby out here, dear. It’s too cold for him. He will freeze to death. You need to come inside. I have the birth pool all ready for you with the temperature just right. I think you are close now, aren’t you? I’m right, aren’t I? You can feel the push, can’t you? We should get you undressed and into the water, you’ll be comfortable there. Come on, dear.’

I reached out my hand again and this time she took it.

I got her undressed and helped her into the birth pool. The contractions were coming on stronger. I could see Daisy couldn’t fight them off any more. She was making deep animalistic noises. My heart began to pound hard for the child that I was going to meet very soon.

56

DAISY

‘Come on Daisy, that’s right, you’re doing great, now you just concentrate on your breathing and let the body do its natural thing. Don’t worry about a thing, it’s all going to be okay.’

The sound of Annie was like a faraway echo. I had transported myself somewhere else. But it would have helped more if she would pipe down with her ridiculous cheerleading.