As far as I’m concerned, the sooner it starts, the sooner it will be over. I’m still in shock, but I need to look at this as an adventure. A holiday, from which we will both return and pick back up where we left off. But there’s a real chance that it will change us in ways we can’t even begin to imagine and Aiden doesn’t seem able, or willing, to grasp that fact.

It sounds defeatist on my part, it’s not meant to be. But I’m scared. I love my life as it is, and it’s always been enough for me. It used to be enough for Aiden, too, and I’m gutted that is no longer the case.

It’s bank holiday Monday and my youngest sister, Hannah, is back home with Mum and Dad for forty-eight hours, before heading off to meet her new boyfriend’s family. My parents are stressing over it, of course, as we can all sense this relationship is a little more serious than any she’s been in before.

Me? I’m happy to see her smiling and experiencing that first flush of love… which might turn out to be lust in disguise. But she’s a confident and discerning young woman. She certainly isn’t going to be a pushover just because a good-looking guy gives her some attention. That’s my little sister!

My brother, Owen, was hoping to make it home for the party, but he’s at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon right now, which is a part of his Combat Infantryman’s Course. It’s not exactly a picnic and that thought sort of puts our little problems into perspective. He’s learning how to become a soldier to fight for people’s freedom and here I am, angsting over a little hiccough that will probably disappear as quickly as it appeared.

Our home is heaving with people. Close family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Everyone we’ve invited to the party is here for a reason, because they touch our lives on a regular basis.

‘Time for an announcement!’ Georgia’s husband, Steve, tries unsuccessfully to tap a fork against a glass to gain people’s attention. Unfortunately, he hits it too hard and a generous shower of red wine splatters over his white T-shirt as the broken shards fall to the floor. All that remains in his hand is the stem and the base of the glass.

Georgia gives him a look of total disbelief, before grabbing a roll of kitchen towel. The clean-up commences while Steve continues.

‘Momentous occasion alert, folks! I’m not exactly sure what’s coming, so I’m going to hand you over to Aiden without further ado.’

Georgia is on her hands and knees, glaring up at Steve.

‘She worships me, really,’ he comments, and everyone bursts out laughing.