I feel a slight flicker in my tummy. Is this what I think it is? Is it the baby moving? Fluttering its tiny limbs like the wings of a butterfly? I know it’s the most natural thing in the world, but it’s such a weird sensation. Instinctively, I cradle my belly with my hands and wait for it to happen again. When it does, it makes me giggle. It feels so alien.

This time next week, it’ll be my mid-pregnancy scan. I was pretty out of it during my first scan because they did it the night I had the seizure, so I’m really looking forward to this one. Ross has booked the morning off work to come with me. I can’t wait for us to get our first proper sight of her. Or him. Although I’m convinced it’s a girl. Sometimes you just know these things, don’t you? It’s intuition.

—

Catherine arrives about an hour after Ross gets home. He’s been on edge ever since he walked through the door and I’m beginning to realize my mistake. Home is Ross’s sanctuary after the stresses and strains of his working day. He likes to shower as soon as he gets in—to wash away the “stink of the day,” as he calls it. I think what he really means is the stink of the patients. He likes to change into something loose and comfortable. A pair of tracksuit bottoms or lounge pants and T-shirt. He’s obviously not pleased about having to share his personal space with a colleague, about her seeing him off-duty. It’s blurred the line he likes to draw between work and home. But it’s too late now. I’ve offered and she’s accepted. He’ll just have to put up with it.

By the time Catherine has emptied out her car, all the space between the front door and the stairs is taken up with bags, cases, and boxes. I had no idea she’d have quite so much stuff.

“Right,” Ross says, grabbing hold of a purple hard-shell suitcase covered in stickers. “Let’s get this lot upstairs before one of us trips over.”

He looks, and sounds, distinctly pissed off and, though I understand why, I wish he’d be a little nicer. Poor Catherine looks embarrassed. Maybe she’s regretting it, too.

She takes a bag in each hand and follows him upstairs. By the time I’ve got hold of a few more items and am on my way up with them, she’s already deposited her first load and is coming back down for more.

“Let me do this, please, Lizzie. I don’t want to put you guys out any more than I already have. I’m feeling bad about imposing on you like this.”

“You’re not imposing on us at all. Is she, Ross?”