‘My family, the midwife says I need to go into hospital to wait for my baby. She wants me to go in a week from tomorrow.’ Mother’s face went white. ‘Rachel! It is too soon! That will still be a whole week before the child should arrive.’ Saul took my sister’s hand. ‘It is to keep her and the baby safe, Mother Naomi. The specialist has explained everything to us. It is necessary and right.’ ‘But …’ Mother glanced at Zillah and me, and snapped her mouth shut in a tight line. ‘We have prayed about it, Mother,’ Rachel said. ‘We believe the hand of the Lord has guided our decision.’ Zillah said, ‘Will you take Hope to the hospital with you, Rachel?’ The adults seemed relieved to turn their minds to an easier topic, but it was Saul who answered her, not our sister. ‘No, but I will take her to visit each day. My mother will care for her.’ Mother stared at Rachel, tears in her eyes. It should have been her — but I knew why our sister had chosen Saul’s mother instead.
