Kathy was still pacing, and a little worm of fear wriggled in Sunday’s stomach. This couldn’t be the start of the baby coming surely? There was still at least four weeks to go.

Kathy turned to say something to her but then stopped abruptly as a small puddle of water appeared on the floor between her legs. The colour drained from her face as she stared down in shock. Part of her nursing training had been spent on the maternity ward in the hospital, so she knew only too well what this meant. Her waters had broken. Early or not, the baby was on its way. Suddenly she wished she didn’t know what was coming and she was afraid.

Sunday meanwhile appeared to be perfectly calm, although her stomach was churning. ‘Right, young lady,’ she said cheerily. ‘It looks like we’re going to meet the new member of the family before too much longer so let’s get you upstairs and into bed while I get everything ready.’

‘But I haven’t had any pains yet, only backache,’ Kathy protested. ‘Do I have to go up just yet?’

‘I suppose not,’ Sunday agreed. ‘First babies are notorious for taking their time before putting in an appearance, so I’ll make us a nice mug of cocoa and we’ll see what happens next.’

Sunday filled a saucepan with warm milk and set it on the hob to heat, while Kathy sat in the fireside chair staring into the empty grate. She had truly believed that Ben would be back before the baby arrived but now she was forced to admit that he hadn’t even taken the trouble to write to her and the hurt hit her like a blow. Up until now she had managed to convince herself that Ben had loved her, but doubts were creeping in and she had to face the prospect of bringing their child up alone. That is if she survived. Although she’d tried hard to push them away, thoughts of her mother had been preying on her mind more and more as the birth approached. Would she die too? What would happen to her baby then?

‘Here you are, darling, get that inside you.’ Sunday interrupted her thoughts as she pressed a mug of steaming cocoa into her hand.

Noticing the look of fear on her daughter’s face, Sunday told Kathy gently, ‘Don’t be frightened. Giving birth is one of the most natural things in the world. You’re going to be just fine. Now, drink that while I run up to the house and get John to phone the midwife for me. She needn’t rush – you’ll probably be hours yet. I’ll just pop upstairs to get dressed first.’

As she was about to leave the kitchen, Livvy breezed in, with a sullen expression on her face.