‘Great flipping guard dog you are,’ she says. There’s a strange, sweet aroma in the air. Sandra must have been round for the ironing, wearing some god-awful hairspray. She guesses Adam’s not home, but she stands at the bottom of the stairs and calls out to him anyway. Still with her coat on, she wanders into the kitchen. The post is in a neat pile on the edge of the worktop. Adam’s post has been opened. The washing up has been done and the clothes from the dryer are folded in a basket. The kettle is still warm. Must have just missed him. She lets the dog out of the back door and slams it shut. Thinks it’s all right to breeze in when she’s not here and not bother to leave her a note, does he? Not one reply to her texts to see if they’re okay. Jamie comes in pestering for a drink. She pours him a beaker of orange juice.

Upstairs, a pair of Adam’s jeans and a T-shirt are hanging on the back of their bedroom door. He’ll be back later full of excuses. She changes out of her work clothes and sits on the bed, throwing herself back on the mountain of cushions. She’ll tell him she doesn’t mind if they don’t get married, even though she’s found the perfect dress. She clicks her phone and it’s there, glistening on the screen. It’s gorgeous and it would so suit her. Obviously not right now, but one day. After the baby is born, he might change his mind. But as long as they’re all together as a family, that’s the most important thing. This is the longest he’s been away without calling. He’s more than pissed off with her. A creeping chill runs up her spine. What if he doesn’t come back?

Downstairs, she shouts at Jamie that he’s standing too close to the television. He’s holding his football under his arm and the patio door is open. In the kitchen, she rummages in the back of a drawer to find a pack of cigarettes tucked under a magazine. There’s one left. She can’t believe she wants to smoke, but she needs it. She can stop again. Secretly, she hopes Adam’s started again too.

She stands outside the patio door and is about to light up when the baby kicks her. Shit, what is she doing? She stuffs the cigarette back in the packet, breaking it in the process. Serves her right.