Beth collapsed on to the cold, uneven stone floor by the hearth in the kitchen. The pain surged even more and the throbbing in her head pulsated like a hammer.

"Dear God, please help me, take away this suffering," she whispered. The floor felt icy cold against her face and was no comfort as she grew ever weaker. The children would not be back for hours yet. She had so much work to do. "Take pity on me lord. Keep my children safe, make them grow into fine people. Bless Michal, don't be hard upon him..." She broke off and sighed to herself. She took a sharp intake of breath. Life was so unbelievably cruel. Cruel to make her unwillingly leave her family. Cruel to bring so much grief to them. To the very last she thought of no-one but her family. She didn't hear the person knocking on the door. It was Richard Norris unannounced. He walked into the cottage.

"Beth, are you here? Beth...oh my lord!" he rushed towards Beth's slumped body. "Beth! Can you hear me? I will get help...just hold on, my love!"

He grabbed a few scraps of cloth and draped them awkwardly over Beth. Picking up her lifeless body, he ran as fast as he could towards Sullens, reassuring Beth all the way that she would be all right. He called out frantically as he reached the farm.
"Mrs Morey, quick! Come quickly!"
Mary Morey heard the shouting and ran to aid him.
"I think she is still alive...I called past the cottage and found her...she was lying on the floor..."
"Take the horse, Richard. Make haste for all you're worth, we need the doctor!"

Mary Morey dragged Beth into the parlour and propped her up on a chair. Little May watched from the doorway.
"Mother, what is happening?" she looked shocked and had tears in her eyes.
"Your mother isn't very well, May. Get water...quickly!"

May rushed to the kitchen and retreived a flagon of water and a cup. She held it to her mother's unresponsive lips. Mary Morey gently took the cup from her shaking hands.

Mary Morey stood back in disbelief. "I'm so sorry, May. Your mother is dead...she died a few moments ago..."

The doctor had arrived. He pushed his way past the stunned members of the family with his hat in his hands. He felt for a pulse. He turned to Mary Morey.
"I am so very sorry, Mary. Beth is dead. God rest her soul. Heaven only knows why she did not come to me for help. For one to suffer in silence shows that she was a very brave woman who did not want to worry anyone about her condition."

Michal was transfixed by Beth's dead body that lay against the chair, her head slumped forward. He stood in shock. "I did not know she was so close to death, she never told me...How could she not tell me, how could she? My poor girl, lying there, no life in her. God rest her soul. She died and had no one to comfort her last breath."

Learn more about this author, Harriet Kent.
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