The following day, Sunday waved them all off from the steps of Treetops with a smile on her face, and it was only once they’d gone that she gave way to the tears she’d been holding back.

‘I’m so tired of life, Cissie,’ she sniffed. ‘I’m worrying about how Livvy’s birth will go now.’

‘Don’t be so silly,’ Cissie scolded. ‘Livvy is blossoming, or she was until this happened. She’ll be absolutely fine. What happened to Kathy was just a tragic accident.’

Thankfully Cissie was proved to be right when Livvy gave birth to a fine, healthy little girl in September, who they named Eva Katherine. She was a delightful baby, only crying when she was hungry, and she went a very long way to lightening the mood at Treetops. Giles and Livvy were besotted with her and now at last Sunday felt that things might improve.

Eva was a week old when Edith took a cup of tea up for Sunday one morning and she told her, ‘I think I’ll have a day in bed, if you don’t mind, dear? I’m feeling rather tired. I think everything that’s happened the last few months is catching up with me.’ Edith nodded but she was concerned. ‘It just isn’t like her to want to stay in bed,’ she confided to Cissie. ‘Do you think we should ring the doctor to come out and take a look at her?’

‘Yes. In fact, I’ll do it meself right now.’ Cissie marched away to make the call. She had never really cared for the telephone and avoided using it whenever possible, but today she would make an exception.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

‘Aw please, lass, just try a mouthful,’ Cissie implored as she held the rich chicken soup to Sunday’s lips, but she merely gave her a weary smile and turned her head towards the window.

‘I don’t want anything,’ she said quietly. ‘I’m waiting for Tom. He’ll be coming for me soon and I must be ready.’

Sunday had now spent almost three weeks in bed getting weaker by the day and the doctor had told a very concerned Livvy and Cissie that there was nothing more to be done.

‘She has had an irregular heartbeat for some time,’ he confided – there seemed no point in hiding it from them any longer. ‘But it’s as if she’s given up now and wants to die. I think losing Kathy so tragically was the last straw. All you can do is keep her comfortable.’

Livvy began to cry and Cissie put her arms about her shoulder as Edith saw the doctor out.

‘There must be something we can do,’ Livvy sobbed, feeling totally helpless.