As if she was reading my mind, she pulled back and smiled. ‘I was going to come and see you today, even before I had that call from Agnes.’

‘Snap! I was going to come to see you.’

‘When I woke up this morning I gave myself a firm talking-to. I thought about you and then I asked myself what Paddington would do.’

‘And what would he do?’ I grinned at her.

‘The kind thing, of course.’

We both laughed at that and she got up to go home and pack. She looped her arm through mine as I walked her to her car.

‘You’re showing, you know,’ she said, looking at my stomach. ‘Can I?’

I nodded and I felt a well of love and sadness as my sister gently pressed her hand to my tummy and whispered hello to her niece or nephew.

She got in her car and wound down the window. ‘It’s a boy,’ she declared.

‘How do you know?’ I looked down at my barely-there bump.

She snorted. ‘Your bum’s already massive. Sure sign.’

I gasped with indignation. ‘I take it back; I haven’t missed you at all. Now go.’

She blew me a kiss. ‘I’m going. Love you.’

‘Auf Wiedersehen, pet.’

‘Ha.’

I watched her car disappear down the drive and ran back inside. Evie didn’t want to go to Germany alone and perhaps there was a way she wouldn’t have to. I scrolled through the numbers on the phone until I found the one I wanted. He answered straight away.

‘Darren? Are you busy?’

‘No, why?’

‘Get yourself to Manchester airport; Evie needs you and you’ve got a plane to catch.’

‘What’s going on?’

I quickly brought him up to speed. Darren had always got on well with Dad and without hesitation he said there was nowhere else he’d rather be than by his wife’s side.

‘And it’s a two-hour flight, Darren; that should be long enough for you to tell each other how you really feel.’

‘Oh God. I hope she feels the same as I do. Wish me luck.’

As soon as he’d rung off, I sank down on to the sofa and let out a weary sigh of satisfaction. Just one message to send.

You’ll be surprised to know I’m being sensible. If the offer still stands, will you come with me on Friday? L x

A reply pinged straight back.

Best offer I’ve had all day. J xxxx

Four kisses, plus the one from earlier! Today hadn’t been quite so bad after all. Now all I needed was to wait for Evie to check up on Dad …

I was getting ready for bed later that evening when Evie called; I grabbed my phone on the first ring, eager for news.

‘How is he? Have you seen him?’ I demanded.