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was suddenly aware that Mrs Savill’s cries had stopped and that she was lying still. ‘Emmie!’ she whispered, her heart lurching, ‘is she all right? Listen to her heart,’ and Emmie stepped to the bedside and leaned down, laying her head on the woman’s chest. ‘Yes,’ she gasped. ‘She’s all right, Sarah. I can feel ‘er ‘eart beatin’. She’ve fainted.’
    Her knees suddenly weak, Sarah supported herself momentarily against the side of the bed, and as she did so she became aware that John Savill had entered the room and was standing gazing in horror at the scene. In the middle of the blood-soaked bed his wife lay with her face chalk-white and her mouth loosely open. ‘She’s fainted, sir,’ Sarah whispered. The next moment there came the sound of feet on the landing outside and then the doctor was in the room.
    Robert Kelsey was a tall, lean man in his mid-thirties. He had shed his topcoat and hat in the hall below, but traces of snow still clung to his boots. Without saying a word he put down his bag and moved to the bed, as he did so taking in the position of Sarah’s hands. Watching his face as he quickly assessed the situation Sarah didn’t miss the little flash of fear that darkened his eyes. Coming to a stop he stood still for a brief moment then turned and looked into the stricken eyes of the other man. ‘Please – Mr Savill,’ he said, his voicebrisk but gentle, ‘– I think it would be better if you waited outside.’
    Savill nodded dully, stared down at his wife for a second then made his way from the room. Kelsey turned to Florence who was holding the crying child. ‘Is the baby all right?’
    ‘Oh, yes, she’s fine, sir.’
    ‘Good.’ He nodded. ‘Take her outside, will you? Give me some breathing space.’ As Florence moved out of the room he turned to Dora and Emmie. ‘You girls – stand aside – but be ready in case I need your help.’
    While Dora and Emmie stepped back in the room he leaned over and laid a hand on Mrs Savill’s forehead and then lifted one of her eyelids. After that he took her wrist and felt for her pulse, at the same time bending low and putting his head to her chest. ‘She fainted,’ Sarah said, ‘but at least I managed to stop the bleeding. Will she – be all right?’
    Kelsey raised his head. ‘No,’ he said wearily, and then gruffly added:
    ‘She’s dead.’

Chapter Three
    When Kelsey had broken the news to John Savill he turned his attention to the baby. After making sure she was all right he left her in Dora’s care and instructed Emmie to get the nursery ready. Emmie was up there now, making up the bed and the baby’s crib and lighting the fire. Florence was busy in the kitchen, making tea and sandwiches. James, so soon after his return from fetching the doctor, had been sent off again – this time to the village to bring back Mrs Coolidge, the under-taker’s wife.
    Sarah had cleaned her dress as well as she was able for the present and now sat in the hall, waiting in case the doctor or Mr Savill should need her. At the moment they were in the bedroom. She had been sitting there for what seemed a long time, and then at last she heard the bedroom door open and a moment later the sound of Kelsey’s voice.
    ‘Mr Savill, there’s nothing you can do. Why don’t you get some rest.’
    There was silence again, but then after a few seconds there came the sound of footsteps on the stairs and John Savill appeared, slowly making his way down. The doctor followed a few steps behind him. When Savill reached the hall he stood for a moment as if lost in a dream then moved off towards the drawing room. Sarah looked at him as he passed her by. His face was pale and drawn, his reddened eyes hollow and haunted. As hedisappeared from sight the doctor moved across the hall. As he reached Sarah’s side he looked in the direction the other man had taken. He shook his head. Then, turning to Sarah he said:
    ‘Where’s the baby now? I must go and see