I spent the evening asking them all about themselves and their lives, gushing over the food and admiring their perfectly ordinary flat, so that by the time we were ready to leave, I knew I had won them both over. There was a brief, slightly awkward moment when Ben told them about the pregnancy and once they had recovered from the shock, I could see Freya’s eyes narrowing slightly, as if she was working something out. She was a midwife and I didn’t want her asking too many questions, so I employed my usual technique of changing the subject as soon as it turned to me.

It wasn’t a bad evening and I could see that Ben was enjoying himself – he certainly drank plenty – but by 11 p.m. I was exhausted from being on my best behaviour and wanted to go home. As Ben showed no signs of flagging I started looking at my watch pointedly and yawning. Finally, he took the hint and stood up. ‘I suppose we’d better be making a move.’

Matt nodded. ‘Fancy a quick stroll to clear your head first? To the end of the road and back?’

Ben nodded enthusiastically. ‘Definitely!’ He looked at me. ‘I’ll just be five minutes, darling.’

Irritation quivered in my chest. What the hell was this all about? I really did just want to go home now and I certainly didn’t want to risk any alone time with Freya, in case she starting grilling me on the details of the pregnancy.

So I smiled as pleasantly as I could and stood up, fully aware that I was impinging on their ridiculous lads’ ritual. ‘Sure. I’ll get my jacket.’

Ben and Matt exchanged confused glances. ‘Um, no need for you to come, too, darling.’ Ben nodded at me reassuringly. ‘We’ll only be a few minutes.’

I fixed Ben with my most determined stare. There was no way he was going anywhere without me. ‘I’d like some air, too. Don’t worry, you won’t even know I’m there.’

There was a slightly uncomfortable pause, before Ben shrugged at Matt. The three of us let ourselves out of the house and turned into the street, where Matt and Ben stood awkwardly hopping from foot to foot, unsure what to do.

‘You go on ahead,’ I prompted, trying to conceal my annoyance.

‘OK,’ they chorused obediently, before walking ahead of me, both glancing occasionally over their shoulders to see if I was still there. I knew it was weird but I didn’t want Ben saying anything he shouldn’t behind my back. I needed to keep an eye on him.

I watched as Matt took a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket and offered them to Ben. Ah, so that was what this was all about. By now I had let them get a short distance in front of me and I saw Ben glance back over his shoulder. ‘Nah, I’d better not,’ he muttered, nodding towards me.

‘She won’t mind you having one, surely?’ Matt also glanced over his shoulder back at me.