Later that day, Maggie and Ben decorated the tree as Kitty sat on a chair and watched. Ben was perched on a ladder doing the top half while Maggie attended to the lower branches.

‘No, don’t put that one there,’ Maggie scolded him. ‘Just a bit further along … yes, that’s better.’

Kitty smiled. ‘You sound like an old married couple,’ she told them and was tickled when they both blushed and hurriedly got on with what they were doing. So that was how the land lay, was it? She’d noticed how well they were getting on and the way Ben’s eyes would follow Maggie about, and Kitty hoped that something would come of it. Maggie had been so good to her, she deserved a little happiness herself now.

Verity and Edgar Lockett, the reverend from Chilvers Coton Church, came to supper that evening and Lavinia and William were there too, and so the happy atmosphere continued.

‘Are you sure it’s big enough?’ Edgar teased as he stared at the giant Christmas tree when they arrived.

Tom playfully punched him in the arm before dragging him off to enjoy a pre-dinner cigar and a glass of port with the other men in the library while Cissie and Sunday pottered about the kitchen putting the finishing touches to the meal.

They were halfway through it when Kitty said rather faintly, ‘Would you mind excusing me?’

‘Of course not, love,’ Sunday said immediately. ‘You’re not in pain, are you?’

Kitty shook her head. ‘No, nothing like that. I think it’s just the weight of all this.’ She patted her gigantic abdomen, then rising she lumbered away as Maggie watched her go anxiously.

‘Perhaps I should go with her?’

‘No, pet. Finish your dinner first,’ Sunday said. ‘I’m sure she will call us if she needs us.’

‘How long has she got to go?’ Verity asked as she helped herself to another slice of the succulent roast pork.

‘According to Maggie, it should have been at the end of November – but then babies have a habit of coming when they’re ready, don’t they?’

Verity nodded and the subject was changed.

The day before Kitty’s birthday, when Sunday came across her staring pensively from the window, she asked, ‘Are you all right, love?’

Kitty nodded. ‘Yes, but I’d be glad of a little chat if you have the time?’

‘Of course.’ She took a seat at the side of her and waited for Kitty to begin. The girl clearly had something on her mind.

‘I just wanted to say thank you for the way you’ve welcomed me home without making a fuss about … you know?’ She stroked her stomach and flushed.

‘Don’t be silly, why should I make a fuss? A baby is a blessing at the end of the day and it will be welcomed and loved. It isn’t your fault that you find yourself in this position. It’s that no good—’