My eyes nearly popped out on stalks; Christmas was four months away. ‘Gosh, you really do like her, don’t you?’

‘Early days, but, yes I do.’ He sounded so worried I could have hugged him. ‘Do you mind?’

‘Not at all; I’m thrilled … but, Dad …’ I bit my lip. ‘Please can you be home by February, because I’d like you to meet someone.’

‘But not until February? That’s very precise. You’re not getting married, are you?’ He chuckled. ‘Is it that boy – what was his name? – Jensen?’

‘It might be a boy.’ I swallowed. ‘Or it might be a girl. I’m having a baby, Dad.’

There was a silence down the other end of the phone. I held my breath and eventually heard him blow his nose.

‘Dad, are you there?’

‘Stone the crows, I’m going to be a granddad,’ he cried with a watery laugh. ‘Congratulations, love! I’ll definitely be back for February; try keeping me away. And tell me how you are; is everything okay? Have you been poorly?’

Relieved, I told him how far along I was and that I had a tiny bump already. And that I hadn’t really lost my passport, but that I’d had to go for my scan. I described how the baby had kicked and waved its arm. Then he shared the news with Agnes who came on the phone and wished me well. I heard her kiss his cheek and I shed a tear at the enormity of everything.

‘And what does Harvey have to say about it?’ Dad asked when things had calmed down a bit.

‘He doesn’t know yet.’ I sighed. I would have to tell him, I knew that; but how? I didn’t want to see him face to face and I couldn’t imagine delivering this sort of news in a letter. ‘I’m dreading him finding out; I don’t want him to have anything to do with it.’

‘Neither do I,’ Dad growled. ‘Maybe you could do nothing for now, wait until the baby’s born and if you decide you want him to know then I’ll go and visit him first.’

I blew out a long breath. ‘Would you? I’d like that; thanks, Dad.’

‘Don’t mention it; you’re still my little girl, you know.’

We fell silent for a few seconds and then I asked him something that had been bothering me.

‘Dad, do you think Mum would have been disappointed in me, because I’m unmarried and bringing a baby into the world as a single mum?’

‘Don’t be soft,’ he chuckled. ‘She’d have your scan photo enlarged and mounted above the mantelpiece and she’d be knitting bonnets for England. She’d be as proud as Punch.’

I let out a trembly breath. ‘Thank you.’