‘We should probably muck in,’ I whisper, nudging Bea. ‘Else they might be suspicious that I’m a journalist, you’re a nutty mum of three, and you’re just here for the free gin,’ I say, elbowing Colin.

I look across the room and notice tons of Post-it notes covering a cork board. Each note seems to describe something that relates to or celebrates child-free life. I look more closely and one Post-it note reads:

‘Maternal urges drop by 25 per cent with every extra 15 IQ points’ – Satoshi Kanazawa.

Another one:

‘By the time you finish reading this sentence, the number of people on Earth will have increased by 300. Don’t add to overpopulation.’

‘Brutal!’ Bea mutters, laughing heartily.

It suddenly hits me that everyone in the room has something in common: they have actively chosen to not be parents, whatever their reason or back story. It’s starting to feel a little ‘culty’, putting me slightly on edge, but I have to admit there is something powerful in the shared outlook.

The laughter and chatter increase in volume around us and there’s a loud tapping of the mic. Tap. Tap. Tap. It’s Iris, in the middle of the room, next to a standing microphone. There is a collective shuffle, and people strain their necks to see over each other’s heads. Iris’s bracelets and long necklaces are hanging over her kaftan, making a loud clanging and clinking against the microphone.

‘Welcome everyone. Welcome! Can you hear me OK?’

There is a generic ‘woop!’ sound.

Iris holds her clipboard in front of her and runs her finger down the list. ‘Right, first things first, everybody! Oi, please, sshh at the back there! Right, some ground rules before I introduce the amazing speakers we have for tonight. And, of course, if you have something that you’d like to say there’ll be time for any volunteer speakers at the end. Just put a piece of paper in the hat that’s on the bar at the back! So, a quick intro about me, in case you’re new to us: I’m Iris, the founder of CFBC. We went from a small supper club meet-up with a few child-free friends, to, well, a global community for hundreds of inspiring women – and some men! – such as yourselves. I started this group because I felt like it was needed. It’s been quite the whirlwind. I’m so glad you are here, that you have spread the word, and reached out to friends who might feel the same. A reminder that this is a safe space! We don’t stream anything online! We don’t judge each other! Our prerogative is to support and encourage and share and say whatever we want. Some women here tonight will be articulating their thoughts for the very first time. We must listen to each other. All phones must be off. And not just airplane mode, please, off! I have made some incredible friends through the group, and we hope you do too. We want people out there to know that it is perfectly normal to be child-free, and more than that: a fantastic lifestyle choice! Right, let’s begin. First up, we have Miranda, a radio DJ who has travelled all the way from Wales. Up you come, my darling, the mic is yours.’