‘Misha laughed. He said, “No one can make a baby that way, not one that is full of life.” I told him my husband said it was unpleasant to see me… down below. He said, far from it, and undressed me then kissed every part of me until I didn’t know what to do and I let out a cry. I couldn’t help it, never had I felt such pleasure. Then he did it all again and more. Four nights and four days, we made love, and it was love in its purest form… There now, tell me I will burn in hell for my sins.’

Edith put her arms around Lena and rocked her.

‘Everyone thinks Misha is an idiot. Even his family. He isn’t, he’s intelligent. He told me, “If you do have a child, may he not be like me.” I told him he was a kind, loving man. I hardly see him now, since the harvest supper when your shepherd didn’t come. I know like my husband, Misha loves you, not me. It doesn’t matter. Winter has come too soon. And all I do is think about the nights we spent together, and I yearn for him.

‘I’m pregnant. My husband thinks it’s his, that his fumblings are enough, that what he does is enough. He said that now it has happened we don’t have to do it again, and we can live better lives without it. I thought I just wanted a baby and I do want the baby. But more or all of it is I want to be with Misha. I haven’t yet told him about the child.’ She blew her nose.

Edith cooked a meal for them both. After they had eaten, Lena stood up and said, ‘I feel better. Some things are too heavy to bear alone.’

She was getting ready to leave when they heard the gate open.

‘Misha’s back,’ said Lena, her cheeks flushed, and she ran to the door only to see her husband and Edith’s father, arm in arm, zig-zagging across the yard.

‘Time to go home, Lena,’ said her husband. ‘A lady with a baby needs to rest.’ He laughed. ‘See?’ he said to Edith. ‘See what you could have had?’

He leaned heavily on Lena as she walked him home.