‘It’s all right, Matron,’ Kathy said suddenly. She almost felt sorry for the woman, knowing what a predicament she was putting her in. ‘I am quite happy to resign my position as of today.’

Matron had to stifle a sigh of relief. She had been dreading having to dismiss the young woman. ‘Then your resignation is accepted, nurse,’ she said stiffly, and then on a kinder note, ‘but I do hope you will consider coming back in the future? You are a good nurse and it would be a great shame to see your talent go to waste.’

‘Thank you, Matron.’ Kathy rose from her seat and after inclining her head she turned and left the woman’s office with as much dignity as she could muster, although inside she was crying. Outside the door she leaned heavily against the wall for a moment.

Oh, Ben, where are you? she wondered. You should be here to see your baby born!

At that moment, David hurried round the corner holding some patient notes. When he spotted Kathy, he paused for just a second, nodded and hurried on his way.

She watched him go. They had deliberately kept out of each other’s way since she had told him about the baby, and she had been mildly surprised to find that she missed him. They had always got on well and, while she didn’t have any romantic feelings for him, she had enjoyed his company. Rumour had it that he had recently been seen out with one of the other nurses and Kathy had scolded herself when she discovered that she actually felt a little jealous. But it was done now. With a sigh she went to collect her things from the staff room before making her way home.

Thankfully no one there was judging her. Even Livvy had taken the news of the baby well and seemed to be looking forward to having a little niece or nephew to spoil. At that moment she felt the child inside her move and her hand instinctively dropped protectively to her stomach. She was halfway through her pregnancy already and she suddenly realised with a little jolt that as yet she hadn’t got a single thing ready for the baby. But I will now that I don’t have to work, she promised herself, and in a slightly better frame of mind she hurried away.

Back at the lodge Sunday had just put the kettle on for a morning tea break when there was a tap at the door and, on opening it, she found John Willerby standing on the step with his hat in his hand.

‘Ah, Mr Willerby, won’t you come in?’ She held the door wide for him to step past her.

He grinned. ‘How many times do I have to tell you, it’s John?’ There was a sparkle in his eye, and she felt herself blush.