‘Wonderful,’ Maggie said awkwardly. ‘Feel free to discuss your decision with me at any time, if you’d like to. I’ll be asking you to pair up to practise a few of the breathing and massage techniques first,’ she continued. ‘We’ll save the C-section until after lunch.’ Presumably so it didn’t put any of us off our food. I felt a little sorry for Lucy and the way Maggie had made it sound like something she frowned upon. Lucy clearly had her reasons – and it wasn’t as if I hadn’t considered one too, because of Mum. Pregnancy could make people so judgemental.

The idea of practical demonstrations made me shift uncomfortably. Don’t split up the couples. Please don’t split the couples. I didn’t want someone else’s husband’s hands on me. Although perhaps I could make an exception for Will…

‘Aisha and Lucy, you can work together please,’ Maggie said.

I successfully caught Lucy’s eye and we exchanged a shy smile in acknowledgement. Seeing as we were both partnerless, it made sense for us to work together, even though the idea of giving and receiving massages from another pregnant woman – and especially someone as well put-together as Lucy – wasn’t exactly making me feel relaxed.

‘Sorry, you seem to have drawn the short straw,’ Lucy said as Maggie indicated I should move to the chair next to Lucy.

‘Not at all, I’m just relieved she’s not using me to demonstrate,’ I replied.

Maggie turned to us: ‘Okay ladies, ready to give it a go?’

‘There’s still time,’ Lucy muttered, smiling sweetly, and I cringed in response.

A minute later, following a description of what we were to do from Maggie, all of the couples moved into position and Lucy slowly manoeuvred herself into a kneeling position behind me.

‘Well, this is embarrassing,’ she whispered. I could tell from her voice that she was trying not to giggle and the fact she was letting her guard down made me warm to her. ‘I’ve never felt less mobile.’

Meanwhile, I was on my knees, leaning over a chair, so I couldn’t see how mortifying it was for her because I was wrapped up in my own ridiculousness.

On the other side of the circle, I could hear Lin and Susie getting into the exercise. Susie was making loud, appreciative noises as Lin clearly hit the right spots.

‘Fabulous ladies! Great work over there,’ Maggie encouraged them. ‘Don’t hold back – remember that, everyone; it’s really important that you let out those moans and groans. And when you reach transition stage – that’s the bit right before the birth – if you want to moo like a big beautiful pregnant cow, just do it. Let it out! That’s right, Susie, “Moooo!”’

‘I don’t hear any mooing coming from you, Aisha,’ Lucy said sarcastically, as I felt her tentatively knead my shoulders. It was embarrassing doing this with a woman I barely knew. If it wasn’t so funny, I’d be livid with Maggie for putting us through it.