I went to stand and leave the room, I had a tonne of chores to do and there was so much to get prepared. I knew I had got through to Daisy and that she would comply. She really didn’t have any other choice.

‘Annie,’ she called just as I reached the door to the kitchen. I tried not to show in my expression the inconvenience of having to stop when my mind was set on the tasks ahead of me.

‘Yes, dear?’ I turned back around.

‘So you really think it’s okay? If I don’t tell the doctor, everything will be okay, here with you?’

I moved further into the room, but not close enough that Daisy would think this conversation was going to go beyond the next few minutes. ‘Let me make myself clear on the matter, Daisy. I am just not comfortable with our current situation, with Ben not here and the inquest into your friend’s death unresolved. I don’t want people coming into our lives, my home and meddling. Under the circumstances, are you really the most ideal candidate for becoming a mother?’

Daisy’s expression fell and she opened her mouth to say something.

‘I mean,’ I continued, ignoring her, ‘these are not my thoughts, Daisy, you understand, I’m merely looking in from the professional’s perspective, seeing it how they will see it. Seeing you all sad and depressed, grieving for your husband and friend who died in such a terrible accident. I read about it all the time, dear. They will take a baby off you for no other reason than because they can. They have all the power and we have none. So we keep schtum. Understand?’

Finally, she nodded firmly as if she understood. I felt as though I may have got through to her. I left her to her thoughts whilst I turned my attention to the more important matters of preparing for a new arrival, which was getting closer by the day. I could feel my nesting instincts kicking into full force. Daisy was a strong girl; she would carry that baby well and in about two months’ time everything would be as it should be. Right now, she was merely the vessel to carry the child into the world and then I would have a beautiful new baby to care for.

33

DAISY

I woke to find Annie in the room with me. There had been no knock, or a ‘may I come in’, I was sure of it. She was just there. Yet again, fussing with the curtains. I could smell toast and coffee. I looked at my phone. It was almost nine-thirty. How had I slept in for so long this morning? I was rising later and later. I thought back to going to bed the night before and I couldn’t remember falling asleep. My phone pinged and I leant down to look at the message. It was from Patrick. My eyes scanned his words.

Concerned… miss you… call me