Sunday looked confused as she placed the wicker basket full of vegetables she had just lifted from Cissie’s garden on the table. ‘But of course he’ll have to know. It isn’t something that you’ll be able to hide for much longer, is it?’

‘But you don’t understand.’ Kathy shook her head. ‘I don’t want to tell him … and there will be no wedding!’

‘Now come along,’ Sunday said coaxingly. ‘He deserves to know. We all know that he’d marry you like a shot if you’d only say the word. Let’s face it, you could do a lot worse. He’s a doctor with a wonderful career in front of him and he’s clearly mad about you. What more could you ask for?’

‘But I don’t love him,’ Kathy said dully as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. And then, before Sunday could say another word, she clutched the towel even more tightly about her and left the room, leaving Sunday standing there looking stunned.

‘It’s a pity she didn’t think of that before she allowed him to make love to her,’ she muttered with a shake of her head. ‘And what will become of her and the baby now if she refuses to marry him?’ When no answer to her question was forthcoming, she sat staring into space in silence save for the ticking of the old grandfather clock that they had brought from Treetops, which now ticked away the hours and minutes in the small entrance hall.

It was late the following afternoon as Kathy was about to finish her shift when David caught up with her in the foyer of the hospital. ‘Ah, here you are,’ he greeted her. ‘I’ve been looking for you all day. I thought we might go to the pictures this evening. Do you fancy it?’

Knowing how much she was about to hurt him, Kathy lowered her eyes. ‘Actually … I’ve got a bit of a headache,’ she muttered. And then mustering every ounce of courage she had she gently took his elbow and drew him into a corner, where they couldn’t be observed. ‘To be honest I’ve been meaning to have a word with you for some time now …’

Seeing the look on her face his smile faded and he had the horrible feeling that he was about to hear something that he wasn’t going to like.

‘The thing is,’ she rushed on before her nerve failed her. ‘I don’t think we should see each other anymore. Only at work, of course. Our relationship isn’t going anywhere and—’

‘But that’s down to you!’ he said angrily. ‘You must know by now that I love you, Kathy? I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d have me.’