The Calling of Highbrook: An unconventional story of love, pain and obsession (Women of Old Yorkshire)

by Jo Priestley

My unbuttoning has begun.

“I could ease your loneliness. I see it within you, and I would dearly like to ease it,”

She rolls her eyes, raising her palm. “Stop!” she says. “Breathe, William. I cannot listen to you anymore.” Her face gives nothing away.

“Love is never only one thing, but endless,

“Your obsessive behaviour is part of the problem. But I believe you have what my colleagues and I refer to as circumstantial depression, a depression brought about by your circumstances. There is an emerging school of thought that this is caused, or exacerbated by, childbirth. I admit to being a little sceptical given the time that has elapsed since Albert was born. This type of depression is difficult to treat with medication, as we need, of course, to tackle the circumstances. But we shall.”

Loathing: the definition is powerful. I looked it up: Noun: An intense dislike or disgust, hatred.