‘She’s just beautiful. Such a little dot. You are so lucky.’ Her face clouded for a moment. ‘So lucky,’ she murmured again, as if thinking aloud.

My heart went out to her. Mrs Barley was all alone in the world, with no children or grandchildren of her own to dote on. It was so sad. ‘Would you like to hold her?’ My voice wobbled with emotion.

I straightened, wincing as I felt a pull on my stitches.

‘Just you be careful, now. You need to look after yourself, get your strength back for the sake of this precious bundle.’ She leaned forward and gently took Elodie from me, her eyes never straying from my daughter’s face. Elodie’s tiny hand curled tightly round Mrs Barley’s extended finger as she nestled in her arms.

‘Oh my, she is so perfect.’ She spoke in a whisper. Looking up at me, her eyes swam with tears. ‘You wonder how anyone could ever be cruel to a helpless little soul such as this. The world can be a terrible place.’

It was not a thought I wanted to dwell on, having just brought my daughter into it. I watched as Mrs Barley rocked Elodie, humming a strange, haunting little melody to her as she did so. She carried her to the window and stared out into the garden. I could hear her talking softly but the words evaded me. Maybe she was showing Elodie the flowers.

Jack sat beside me on the sofa, sliding an arm round my shoulders. He leaned in and brushed my cheek with his lips.

‘How are you doing? You look shattered.’

My breasts were engorged and sore, and I felt the sudden wetness of milk leaking through my top. I looked at him and instantly burst into tears, burying my face in his chest. It was all too much.

He laughed, but not unkindly. ‘I think you could probably do with a few hours’ sleep. Try and give Elodie a little feed now and then go and have a nap. I’ll take care of her for a while – I can bring her up to you if she needs feeding again. Things will feel a whole lot better when you’re not so knackered.’

Mrs Barley, having heard his words, turned towards us with a knowing smile.

‘A good rest can work wonders,’ she agreed. ‘And don’t you worry, either of you. I’ll always be here to share the load.’

CHAPTER 13

Jack’s parents had announced that they were coming to visit us the following Friday. We rarely saw them as, after retiring from farming, they’d bought a flat in Spain and spent the majority of the year enjoying sunnier climes. But the lure of meeting their new granddaughter had brought them over to England for a couple of weeks. They had already arrived in the UK and were staying at their old farm near the village of Enville, in Staffordshire, with Jack’s brother, Matt, and his family, some forty miles away. Old habits dying hard, Jack’s dad had been helping out with the cattle, but they were planning on staying the one night with us after coming for dinner, as he didn’t want to drive back to Enville in the dark.