‘Five minutes, then switch that off, do you hear?’ As she turns, she notices the flowering plant behind the door. The pot is surrounded by shrivelled leaves with marks like burns. She reaches down and picks up the giant pot. The rotten smell makes her turn her head. Perhaps it was too near the radiator. But to die that quickly. How odd. She never liked it though. If plants would only stop growing and trying to take over the house. When one has died in the past it’s been more of a gradual process, except the plant which grew so big she decided she couldn’t be bothered with it anymore. Every time she had to squeeze past it in the hall it left pollen on her clothes. In the end she left it outside in the frost to die. Adam’s never forgiven her.

‘Dinner,’ she calls. It’s not until she’s dishing up that the tears come. She hurls her plate across the kitchen, the steaming food flying up the wall, lumps of tomato like clots of blood, pieces of spaghetti hanging like tassels. He must hate her to stay away this long and not even bother to call her. She needs to know they’re okay and can carry on as normal. She won’t mention weddings or rings or honeymoons, if that’s what it’s about. She’ll promise to be happy with the way things are.

Chapter Thirty-One

Julie arrives at Alison’s early with a handful of helium balloons. She arranges them around the sitting room ceiling with their alternating pink and blue ribbons curling down. Alison is not in the mood for a party, but Julie has gone to loads of trouble. She helps out by emptying bags of nuts, crisps and Bombay mix into bowls.

‘You’re not supposed to be doing anything. Go and get yourself ready.’ Julie checks her watch.

Upstairs, Alison looks in the mirror. Blue-black circles under her eyes from lack of sleep and her face is fuller with this pregnancy, almost bloated. She looks a mess. As she pulls her T-shirt off, a strong twinge tightens around her bump. She grips the back of the chair. Adam will be back in time, Julie keeps telling her. Perhaps he’s waiting to give her a surprise. But she’s fed up with his bloody games. Does he think she’s stupid or what? If he doesn’t turn up by the time she has the baby, she’s not sure she’ll want him at all. She needs to be with someone who worships her, that’s what Dad always told her.