The feeling of unease concerning Lilibeth and her payment persisted but I soon got over it as I prepared for the birth of my pups. Christopher himself made sure I was not stressed and would not even hear of me being anxious about anything. I waved my fears aside as one symptom of pregnancy blues and Mum Cara's words as the rantings of an old woman being over cautious.

'I am very proud of you', Christopher told me one night when we were lying in bed together.

'What about?' I asked, smiling up at ...