Michael felt the tears come into his eyes at her generosity of spirit. She wanted to save him hurt, and that was such a selfless act on her part. ‘You silly bitch! I sussed a while ago. I wish you would listen to me, Josephine. If we have a baby I will be made up, but for you more than for me. As long as I have you I don’t need anyone else. I swear that on my immortal soul.’ He hugged her even tighter, raining kisses all over her face.

Josephine knew he was speaking the truth, but it still didn’t make her feel any better. ‘I’m so sorry, Michael, I just wanted to do this by myself. I would have told you eventually. I’m amazed that you noticed, to be honest.’

Michael was offended. ‘Of course I did, Josephine! You’re my world, for fuck’s sake.’

Josephine looked into the handsome face she knew so well. She could see his anger, mingled with his despair, and she hated herself for causing it. He had only ever loved her, given her his love and his protection no matter what. ‘Can you do me one favour, Michael? Keep this between us, please. I don’t want anyone to know about it. If I lose it, I don’t want it to be common knowledge. I couldn’t go through that again.’

Michael sighed heavily. ‘’Course, darling. Whatever you want to do is fine by me.’

‘Thanks, Michael. It’s just I can’t pretend any more. Your mum is always making remarks about how we should have a family by now, and my mum acts like miscarriages happen to everyone. It’s too raw for me. Every time it goes wrong I feel such a fucking failure. I feel so bereft. If I do lose this baby, Michael, I want it to be a private grief this time. I want it to be our sorrow, no one else’s.’

Michael could hear the longing in his wife’s voice, the need for a child, and the fear that once more she would be denied that, because her body would let her down as it always had. He would gladly hand over every penny he had if it would give her a child of her own, and the peace it would bring to her.

‘I promise you, Josephine, I won’t say a word.’

She nestled into his arms, and he felt the overwhelming love for her that had never changed. He loved her unconditionally. ‘How are you feeling, though? Do you feel all right in yourself?’

She nodded and, pulling away from him again, she looked up into his face. ‘That’s just it, Michael, I feel great. I feel better than I ever have before. This time it feels so right. I can’t explain it. If it’s going to happen for us, I think it will be this time.’