He gave a hollow laugh. ‘Until we found out my sperm swim so slowly they’re almost comatose. It was a miracle Evie got pregnant once; it won’t happen again.’

I blinked at him. ‘I’m so sorry; I didn’t know.’

He stared at me disbelievingly. ‘Evie didn’t tell you?’

I shook my head. ‘She always said “we”. She never said it was you. I don’t think she wanted you to set her free, Darren.’

‘Oh, Evie,’ he whispered hoarsely, pressing his palms over his eyes. ‘Once she started talking about fostering, I realized how important being a mother was to her. Until then I just thought having a family would be the icing on the cake for us as a couple. But it means everything to her. So I reckoned it wasn’t fair of me to hold her back. There’s no need for her to deny herself the chance to be a mum naturally. I thought if I walked away I’d be setting her free. There’s no need for her to adopt, or foster, she can have her own babies naturally. She’ll make a brilliant mum.’

‘She will.’ I hugged him tight. ‘But you’ll be a brilliant dad. Being a good parent can start from the moment you bring a child home, however that journey began. Evie wants you at her side every step of the way on that journey.’

‘That’s not what she said when she dropped me off at home after the police released me; she said I was a poor excuse for a man and it was just as well we hadn’t had children if I was going to get hammered every time I had a setback.’

That sounded like my sister; I could imagine how furious she’d have been with him.

‘To be fair, Darren,’ I said, my lips twitching, ‘you were a bit of an idiot that day. But I still think she’d like the two of you to properly consider the options and become parents together.’

His back straightened. ‘Do you think? Because I’ve realized – and I know I’m a bit slow on the uptake – but I want us to be parents together too.’

My heart soared. ‘That’s the best news I’ve heard for ages, Darren. Evie is going to be thrilled!’

He eyed me doubtfully. ‘Trouble is she hasn’t taken my calls since that night at the hospital.’

‘Mine neither.’ I sighed. ‘But she’s got a lot to deal with: you walking out on her and then finding out that I’m pregnant. She’s bound to be upset.’

Darren massaged his brow and groaned.