WhatsApp:

Lucy Raven has added you to: ‘The Baby Group’.

The symbol was a baby bottle full of milk. There were a few more notifications as numbers were added, before another message:

Lucy: Hey everyone, finally got round to connecting us all on here. Looking forward to seeing you for the next class on Saturday. I don’t seem to have Carol’s number, can you give it to me please, Will, so I can add her to the group? And let me know if I should add Jason and Ian? Lx

Helen: Thanks Lucy! Hope everyone (and bumps!!) are doing well. No need to add Ian (he’s a grump on WhatsApp!). Helen xx

Susie: Great to be connected, see you all on Sat. S&L x

Me: Thanks Lucy, don’t worry about adding Jason either. See you all soon. Ax

Will: No need to add Carol. I’ll just pass on any relevant info. Thanks Lucy. Will x

Then I received a private WhatsApp message from Lucy:

Lucy: I’m off work tomorrow, so thought I could pick up the dish I left at yours in the morning, if that’s ok? We could also go for a coffee, if you’re free?

It didn’t take much to distract me from work at the moment and I had enjoyed chatting with Lucy yesterday, so I replied quickly:

Me: Love to! Does 9ish at Gail’s work?

Lucy: Perfect. See you then. Lx

Me: Great, don’t worry about picking up the dish. I’ll bring it. Ax

Friday 7^th May

‘Would you like tea or coffee?’ Lucy asked. She was already in the queue when I arrived at Gail’s at ten past nine.

‘Tea would be great, thanks. Builder’s,’ I replied. ‘I’ll get us a table.’

‘Drinks will be here shortly,’ Lucy said when she joined me.

‘Thanks. I haven’t managed to kick the caffeine completely – unlike some.’

‘Ha! Lin and Susie are such earth mothers,’ she smiled. ‘Good for them, but that weird burial plan for the placenta. Really?’

I smiled back. ‘I’d forgotten about that. Ooh but what about Will and Carol? I wonder how many babies she’s carried for other people? It’s fascinating.’

‘I bet she’s making a fortune,’ Lucy said. ‘I mean, it can’t be something you’d do unless the reward was huge. But I wonder if she ever finds it hard to give the baby up? It can’t be the easiest thing to do.’

‘I know. I just couldn’t imagine it. And especially with a baby daddy as handsome as Will. I mean, who wouldn’t find that hard?’ We both giggled in unison and looked up at each other, registering the connection.

I got my purse out of my bag to offer Lucy some money for the drink.

‘No way – it’s on me. You did more than enough hosting the other night.’

‘Thanks so much, I’ll get them next time then,’ I replied. ‘So, are you feeling ready for the baby?’

‘As ready as you can ever be, I guess. I mean, there’s always more to do, but I’ve almost got the nursery sorted,’ she replied.