With love always,

Kitty xxxx

As tears began to stream down Sunday’s cheeks Maggie and Ben stole away hand in hand, leaving Tom and Sunday to say a proper hello to their brand new baby daughter.

‘My poor Kitty,’ Sunday sobbed. And then, with the baby still tight in the crook of one arm and well wrapped up, Tom opened the back door briefly and pointed up at the sky. It was ablaze with stars that twinkled down on the frosty trees and lawns, transforming them into a winter wonderland.

‘Look up there, my darlings,’ he whispered as he kissed the sleeping baby and then his wife. ‘This Christmas morn, our Kitty will be the brightest star you can see. She’ll always be close to us – and what a precious legacy she has left us. Now at last we have our very own little girl and through her Kitty will live on.’ He closed the door and embraced them both in the warm, protective circle of his arms.

Sunday blinked back her tears and murmured in agreement as she bent to gently kiss the tiny little angel in her arms. Tom was right – Kitty had left them the greatest gift of all, and while they had her, Kitty would always be just a heartbeat away.

‘You’re right,’ she whispered thickly. ‘But I ought to tell you now that in about another six months’ time, this beautiful child will have a little brother or sister.’

It took a second or two for her husband to grasp her meaning. Then his mouth gaped. ‘What! You mean that you’re …’

Sunday nodded and smiled as tears slid down her cheeks. ‘Yes. I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure. We’ve been disappointed so many times, and I’m past the normal childbearing age, as you know. But the doctor confirmed it yesterday. I was going to tell you then, but with Kitty …’

‘I know,’ he soothed. Neither of them would ever forget their beloved Kitty, but now, despite her loss, they had a future to look forward to, with their brand new little family.

THE END

Acknowledgements

Firstly I’d like to say a big thank you to my brilliant agent, Sheila Crowley for all the hard work she’s done on my behalf and for all her help and support, not forgetting Abbie, her lovely assistant.

Secondly an enormous thank you to Eli, Kate, Sarah, Tara and all the brilliant team at Bonnier Zaffre, also to all of my lovely readers who helped to make the first of this series, Mothering Sunday, into a Sunday Times Bestseller.

Thank you all so much! I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

Also by Rosie Goodwin

The Bad Apple

No One’s Girl

Dancing Till Midnight

Tilly Trotter’s Legacy

Moonlight and Ashes

The Mallen Secret

Forsaken

The Sand Dancer

Yesterday’s Shadows

The Boy from Nowhere

A Rose Among Thorns

The Lost Soul

The Ribbon Weaver

A Band of Steel

Whispers