‘I’ve just spent the most boring night of my life listening to my date ramble on about his father’s farm,’ she grumbled, then seeing the look on Kathy’s face she asked, ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing,’ Sunday assured her. ‘But Kathy’s baby is on its way. I was just about to get dressed so I could go up to the house and ask John to get the midwife to come.’

Livvy’s face paled to the colour of lint as her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Oh crikey … the baby is coming … You stay here. I’ll run up to the house.’ And without another word she went sprinting off like a greyhound.

Sunday rolled her eyes at Kathy, sharing a grin. Livvy wasn’t very good with things like this and would never have made a nurse.

‘Right, I’m going to get dressed anyway,’ she said, turning towards the stairs. ‘I have an idea we may have a long night ahead of us.’ Then she too was gone, leaving Kathy alone with her gloomy thoughts.

Livvy was back in no time with John close behind her and Kathy’s pains started shortly after that, at which point Sunday insisted she should go upstairs.

‘I’m terrified,’ Sunday admitted to John when Livvy had gently led Kathy away. ‘Kathy’s mother died after giving birth to her. She was one of twins but the other baby, a little boy, died too.’

‘Now we’ll have no more of that silly talk,’ he scolded gently. ‘Kathy is going to be just fine. She’s young and healthy and she’ll come through this with flying colours, you’ll see.’

Sunday was suddenly glad he was there. He had been so kind and understanding when she had told him that Kathy was going to have a baby and had shown no condemnation whatsoever.

‘So, you just put that smile back on your face and get up those stairs and be strong for your girl,’ he ordered. ‘And meanwhile, I shall stay down here and make sure you have plenty of hot water. I’ll send the midwife up when she comes, shall I?’

‘You really don’t have to stay, John. It could take hours yet,’ Sunday objected but he wouldn’t hear of leaving and so eventually she made her way up the steep stairs saying a silent prayer as she went.

When Nurse Bennett, the midwife, arrived she rolled up her sleeves and took control of the situation immediately. She was a stout, middle-aged woman with short, silver-grey hair and a stern expression, but those that knew her would vouch that she had a heart made of pure gold. Kathy had met her on a number of occasions when she had visited the new mothers at the hospital and knowing that she was in safe hands reassured her slightly.