‘David’s been as good as gold to Kathy an’ the twins, ain’t he? I reckon he’s got a real soft spot for them babies,’ Cissie commented sadly. ‘I allus thought those two would make a go of it.’

‘I did too.’ Sunday nodded then looked surprised when Cissie suddenly grinned and, changing the subject, said, ‘You look like you’ve never left this place.’

Sunday frowned. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I should think it’s as plain as the nose on yer face. John is smitten wi’ you. Surely you’ve noticed?’

Sunday was shocked. ‘Don’t be so ridiculous. John and I are friends. We’re far too old to be anything more!’

‘Huh! You’d better tell him that then,’ Cissie chuckled. ‘Cos I reckon he sees you back here as the mistress again. An’, may I add, you’re never too old to fall in love!’

Sunday shook her head and hurried on to the kitchen, her mind whirling. Surely Cissie must be wrong? John had never behaved as anything other than a perfect gentleman towards her and she had certainly never considered him to be anything more than a friend, but Cissie’s words got her wondering all the same and she was thoughtful as she handed the tray over to Edith.

Shortly after she and Cissie left too and, once outside, Cissie set off for her cottage, while Sunday walked the short distance to the lodge. On entering she found Kathy and David laughing at the babies who were lying on a rug in front of a roaring fire and she couldn’t help but think what a pretty picture they made. They looked like the perfect little family. But she had come to accept now that Kathy had been telling the truth and David wasn’t their father. Even so, it was more than obvious that he loved the babies – and Kathy too, if it came to that – and she had the feeling that even now he would have married her like a shot if she’d have him, which was all credit to him considering the babies weren’t his. Most men would have wanted nothing more to do with any of them.

It’s such a shame, she thought as she hung up her coat and slipped her feet out of the snow-caked boots, and once again she racked her brain as to who the twins’ father could be. Whenever she asked Kathy, she just clammed up, so Sunday had stopped asking. Whoever he was he was certainly keeping his distance – if Kathy had even told him.

The following day John arrived mid-morning and with Cissie’s words preying on her mind, for the first time Sunday felt awkward in his presence.

‘I suddenly realised after you’d gone yesterday that I hadn’t given the twins their christening present,’ he told Kathy, while Sunday tripped away to put the kettle on.