‘Good now the morning sickness has stopped. Only it wasn’t just in the morning but all day.’

‘I know, Chris said. You poor dear. But at least it’s passed, and it will have been worth it in the end.’

‘Yes,’ Jan agreed. ‘I’ve got to have another scan this afternoon. They think I might have my dates wrong, as the baby isn’t as big as it should be. They can also determine the sex of the baby from this scan.’

‘Do you want to know its sex?’ Lillian asked.

‘I guess it makes sense,’ Jan said, putting the items into her shopping bag. ‘It means we can plan ahead and think about names.’

Lillian smiled. ‘I’m so pleased you two got together in the end. I always thought you were well suited.’

‘I know, you said,’ Jan laughed. ‘I’m pleased too.’

‘You’re good for him. Any plans to marry?’

‘You sound just like my mother,’ Jan said. ‘Maybe after the baby is born. There’s no rush. We’ve shown our commitment by living together.’

‘Good. Chris is a fine man. He won’t let you down.’

‘I know,’ Jan said, paying. ‘You must all come to supper one evening.’

‘Thanks. We’d like that, and to see the changes you’ve made to his house. Even Chris says it’s more comfortable now, although I think he needed some persuading at first.’

‘Tell me about it!’ Jan laughed.

Another customer approached the counter, so, saying goodbye, Jan left the shop and began the walk to what was now her home. Who would have guessed she’d end up living in a village, she mused (not for the first time), surrounded by fields, with a single shop and pub, and where everyone knew each other? She’d always thought of herself as a townie, but then she’d fallen in love with Chris.

A week after she’d returned home, he’d texted as promised. Jan had replied and it had gone from there. They’d started dating and their relationship had flourished. Chris had first suggested she move in with him after they’d been going out for four months, as the travelling was taking its toll. She’d said no to begin with and had then agreed to a trial period. Now, here she was, settled into village life, not missing the town at all, and eighteen weeks pregnant! It had been a heady year – the stuff of romance novels, she thought as she walked. Perhaps she should write one? Her relationship with Chris had all the ingredients of a good romance: attraction at first sight, drama, intrigue, conflict and then the resolution with the couple living happily ever after.

Or so she hoped.