‘Must be quite nice,’ I say, running my fingers through the front strands of my hair.

‘It is, but it’s also a bit sinister. Without a bump I’m just someone else to elbow out of the way and stamp on, and now suddenly for a few months I’m a radiant goddess who can do no wrong.’

‘Yeah, I noticed that too. I still keep my “Baby on Board” badge in a drawer in the kitchen to remind me of those times when I felt like a superstar,’ Bea agrees.

‘Me too,’ I say, jokily. They both ignore me.

‘At least it’s one good thing about being up the duff. I am hating that I can’t wear my own clothes at the moment, though. I’ve been wearing this same grey dress for weeks. It stinks. I do miss my old wardrobe,’ Cec says, pulling at the fabric of her dress.

Our phones beep in unison. It’s Isla messaging the group chat to say she can’t make it. We had kind of anticipated that, as she’d not been replying much when we were organizing timings. She says she’s feeling poorly, which might be true, but we all know she’s been really down for some time now. The crux is that her and her boyfriend Mike have been trying to get pregnant for a couple of years, and she’s now trying IVF. She’s been keeping herself to herself, and doing her classic self-defence manoeuvre of withdrawing from everything and everyone. At university, she would withdraw quite often, bolting her bedroom door and putting loud music on. We used to slip handwritten notes under the door, asking gently for her to come down for a cup of tea and a cuddle.

All cosied up on the sofa with more cups of tea spread out on a tray on the ottoman and blankets over us, we arrange to videocall Isla instead on Skype. As the call connects she appears propped up in bed wearing a black beanie and dark kohl eyeliner. Her dark thick fringe looking greasier than normal.

‘You OK, love?’ Bea says, tilting the screen of her MacBook so we can all see, and turning up the volume.

‘Hi guys, I’ve felt better. Sorry to miss out on tonight, god I miss drinking wine. Thank you for understanding. What are you all up to?’

‘Oh, not much! We miss you,’ Cec says quickly, leaning back on the sofa in her pyjamas, holding her protruding bump.

‘I miss you guys too. I have major cabin fever. But it definitely feels good to be resting and just having some time to reflect. Cec, how are you feeling?’

‘Good thanks. The nausea seems to have subsided. Bit uncomfortable now, though.’

‘I bet. So soon though! Exciting,’ Isla says, forcing a smile. I can tell it’s taking a lot for Isla to ask Cec about her bump so chirpily.

I turn the laptop slightly and poke my head into frame. ‘What’s going on, Isla? We could have cheered you up if you were here.’ Bea looks at me, frowning. I return her stare as if to say: ‘What? I’m just asking.’