Annie continued, ‘I didn’t realise first-time mums showed so much at this stage. And you realise babies are expensive, don’t you Daisy? How are you going to manage on Ben’s wage as a musician? He only works the odd weekend.’ I could hear the authority in Annie’s tone, as though she was the only woman who had ever raised a child.

I said nothing but flashed a small smile. What was there to say? We hadn’t really discussed the ins and outs. We just knew it felt right and it would all work itself out. If I ever raised money issues with Ben, I was pretty sure his response would be to tell me that love would find a way.

But I didn’t care to say those words out loud to Annie.

I sipped my tea and clinked the cup back into the saucer taking care to do so as quietly as I could. There was a small gold antique clock on the mantelpiece which seemed to tick louder than before. I could hear clicking as Ben pressed the buttons on his Blackberry. I blew a piece of hair away from my face as I felt a hot flush rising through my body. I brushed the thin fabric of the sofa with my hand.

‘Lovely sofas’ I lied, so I could break the silence.

‘Yes, these old things. Charity shop finds. I bought them when—’

‘Mum.’ Ben was up on his feet alarmingly fast, he shoved his phone into the back pocket of his jeans. ‘How about some of that cake?’ Ben rubbed his hands together.

Annie regarded him for a second and I sensed his agitation. Annie picked up the knife and held it in front of her as she looked at Ben ‘Well, let’s just hope he’s grown up enough to be functioning out there alone without his mum!’ Annie hooted then she sliced through the cake ‘He needs looking after from time to time, don’t you Ben? But that’s what us women are good at. I suppose you may find that now, what with you being older?’

I glanced up at Ben who rolled his eyes surreptitiously.

The age gap had yet to make any impact on us. My twenty-eight years to his twenty-four years hadn’t created any problems. But apparently Annie was already searching for flaws in the relationship.

Ben bent down, picked up a slice of Victoria sponge, and began chewing with intent, a frown firmly fixed on his face. I watched Annie frantically trying to cobble together a small white porcelain plate and tiny dessert fork.

‘I think what I want to know from you both is why you decided to do it all behind my back?’ Annie held out the plate and fork to Ben who had already finished his cake. She lay the redundant crockery back on the tray and patted her hair.

‘And so soon after meeting. What about your mother, Daisy? Have you told her you’re married?’

Ben sat back down again and tried to flash me an encouraging smile but he seemed distracted.