Born to Trouble (44 page)

That night, Pearl slept wrapped in her husband’s arms, and that the wedding night had been successful was borne out by the fact that exactly nine months to the day, Pearl gave birth to healthy twin girls. Nessie came to stay for a few weeks to help the new mother cope and had the time of her life.

Little Charlotte and Lucy were joined by their baby brother, Charles Christopher, two years later, and by the time the farm had almost doubled in size and the house had been extended yet again, another boy and then a girl completed the family. Pearl had her Christmases full of love and laughter and fun, and Seth and Nessie were regarded by the little ones as Granda and Grandma rather than Uncle and Aunt, and were greatly loved. Of Christopher’s mother they’d heard no word since he had written to invite her to the wedding; Clarissa hadn’t replied.

As they’d determined to be, Pearl and Christopher were good parents. With five children there were plenty of ups and downs, but it was a deeply satisfying life. Rewarding. With Christopher at her side, Pearl didn’t want anything more. As she watched her children grow sturdy and strong, she knew the legacy of Halimena’s curse was broken. They had been born to wholeness, unity and good fortune. They had been born to love.