Kathy stared down at them in awe. They were tiny but beautiful and she could hardly believe that she had managed to produce something quite so perfect. The only thing that marred the birth for her was the fact that their father wasn’t there to see them, and Kathy could only assume he didn’t want to be. But I won’t think about that for now, she told herself. From now on I must concentrate on these two because they’re surely the very best thing that has ever happened to me.

Soon after, the babies were wrapped in towels and handed to Sunday, while the midwife saw to Kathy and with a smile on her face that stretched from ear to ear, she carried them downstairs for their first bath.

‘It’s a boy!’ she announced joyously as she entered the room where John and Livvy were anxiously waiting for her. ‘And a girl!’

‘Twins!’ Livvy clapped her hands in delight as she raced over to get her first glimpse of her baby niece and nephew. ‘Oh, they look just like Kathy,’ she declared as she stared at the downy dark hair on their tiny heads. And then she hurried off to fetch bowls of warm water and watched as Sunday tenderly bathed them one by one before dressing them in the tiny flannel nightgowns they had ready.

‘They look just adorable, like little dolls,’ Livvy giggled. It was already apparent that she was going to spoil them both shamelessly.

‘I agree,’ John said, and Sunday was sure his eyes were damp with emotion as he stared down at the babes. ‘They’re just perfect!’

Eventually when the midwife had washed Kathy and got her into a clean nightdress, Livvy retired to bed and the babies were taken back upstairs to their mother for their first feed as John and Sunday sat at the kitchen table, tired but happy.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said presently. ‘It’s going to be a very tight squeeze, all of you fitting into this little place. Kathy would be very welcome to move into the nursery up at Treetops if she wished to.’

Sunday was shocked at his kind offer although she already knew what Kathy’s answer would be should he suggest it to her. Kathy would want to stay here with her.

‘That’s really kind of you,’ she told him warmly. ‘But I’m sure we’ll manage very well here. Thank you, though.’

He shrugged. ‘Just a thought. I quite like the idea of babies up at the house, and the way Giles is going I don’t think I shall be having great-grandchildren anytime soon. But anything she needs, you just let me know. I don’t want those babies to go without, or young Kathy for that matter, do you hear me?’

‘Loud and clear,’ Sunday answered, her eyes shining.