‘Sure,’ said Thomas reluctantly, ignoring her and staring narrow-eyed at me, ‘as long as that belief isn’t misplaced.’

Just then the baby moved; a rapid fluttering deep in my core. I pressed a hand to my stomach before replying. It may have been a fanciful thought, but having someone real to fight for made me sit up straight and return his stare.

‘We English winemakers aren’t playing at it. Far from it. It’s a multi-million-pound business now, and as exports flourish, the future looks even brighter.’

Olivia jumped in in support. ‘Over a million new vines are being planted per year at the moment, can you believe it!’ she gushed. ‘And global warming has increased mean temperatures by up to one and a half degrees in some areas, which has a big impact on ripening grapes.’

‘Hurray,’ said Thomas sarcastically, ‘who cares about the polar ice cap when it means we can have more inferior wine!’

I turned my back on him. ‘Fiona, supporting home-grown wine by asking for it in shops and restaurants isn’t just helping wine producers like Butterworth. There is a whole host of industries that we rely on: printers, manufacturers of bottles, steel tanks, valves, hoses, specialist equipment for our labs such as refractometers and hydrometers, and a thousand and one others.’

Fiona nodded. ‘Gosh, I’d never considered that.’

‘We’re setting our sights on the world stage,’ I said excitedly. ‘My goal for next year is to conquer the Chinese market.’

I paused for a second as I absorbed what I’d just said. You’re having a baby, a little voice in my head reminded me. None of this is going to happen. It couldn’t.

‘Really?’ Fiona nodded encouragingly. ‘Why China?’

I dragged myself back from my thoughts.

‘The Chinese people are falling in love with sparkling wine,’ I explained. ‘Consumption has gone up by twenty per cent in the last three years. Within the next couple of years, they’ll be the second largest market in the world after the United States. Vineyards are starting to pop up in China, but it will be a long time before supply can match demand. In the meantime,’ I spread my hands and grinned, ‘it’s Butterworth Wines to the rescue.’

‘Well, that’s very ambitious of you,’ said Fiona, looking impressed.

‘Not really,’ I said lightly, ‘it’s a combination of risk, optimism and fact. We can succeed there and I believe we will.’

‘Actually, I’d second that,’ Thomas said, sounding surprised to be agreeing with me. ‘China has a huge hunger for British brands. In fact, Devine Kitchen will be opening up in Beijing next spring.’

‘And will you have the Butterworth Classic Cuvée on your wine list?’ I asked, holding my breath.