Somewhere over the rainbow ‘I’ll save up our fares, Ray. The Minister will help us when he calls but not Leithy.’ Netta no longer trusted the nurse any more, why did she keep taking the baby away? Was there something wrong with him? Leithy kept putting him in the kitchen with the other newborns in cribs, among the smoke and the fumes to catch germs from dirty washing, and Hector in the garden. Ray must not leave their room.

*

They were whispering as if she wasn’t there in the room. ‘I don’t like to worry you both but Netta’s not quite herself today. Come away into the parlour, Peg, take a pew. I’ll get Katy to bring you some tea. No visitors today, dear, you’re too much on edge.’

‘What’s up?’ Angus pulled his pipe from his lips and made for his baccy pouch.

‘She was fine yesterday, her milk’s flowing well, but she’s too chippy and excitable for my liking. I would expect the tears and doldrums by now. Mothers always have a good greet when the milk comes in, but Mrs Hunter just chatters away to herself and the baby as if he understands every word she’s saying – never leaves him alone. She’s spoiling him already. I tell you, Angus, I’ve seen this once before and I’ll have to get in Dr Begg to calm her down with something. See if she can sleep it off.’

‘Can we see the wee lad then?’ asked Peg, who was enjoying her visits to the maternity home and the sight of the tiny creatures in their cots. ‘I did notice Netta seemed awful clingy with him.’

‘What’s more worrying is she’s no sleeping when I take him away, but sits writing letters to all hours of the night which Katy has to post – writing letters all over the country. I just don’t like the look in her eye. Call it intuition if you will. She had a hard birth and recovered well. We were pleased with how she’d taken to the baby at first – not all mothers do. Now her temperature’s up and her pulse is racing. Complete bed rest and sleep is what I’ve ordered but we find her coming downstairs hunting for the baby, naughty girl, disturbing the other patients and pacing the floor at night, don’t we?’ She glared in Netta’s direction.

‘What are you saying, Sadie, is she ill then?’ Peg was alarmed at the nurse’s serious expression.

‘Let’s put it this way: I’ll keep a close eye on her but she may have to go to the hospital if she doesn’t calm down. I haven’t the time to spare, we’re fully stretched as it is. I’ll speak to Dr Begg and let you know but I’m warning you now just in case…’