Then the shock of what Jenny had told me was as though it was happening to me. And it was, only my husband had left me. This was too convenient. The fact we were both married, Jenny on the brink of divorce, me with mine finalised. My husband had done a damn fine job of getting things moving swiftly with that one. And now with babies growing inside us. Something had brought us together.

Images started to fly around my mind of Jenny homeless, her three children and unborn child without a father. I felt like I now had a role and that I was slotting into Jenny’s life. It all started to make sense: why I was here, why my husband had gone; Jenny needed me.

‘Okay everyone, I know we’re a few minutes early but can we get started as I have a pressing appointment straight after the class, so I can’t stay and answer any of your questions today.’ Emily’s voice came from the front of the room. ‘Although by now, you are all experts so I’m sure you won’t need my humble advice any more,’ Emily said with a knowing smile and sniggers of agreement circled the room. The class assembled themselves around us to begin the class.

‘I’ll talk to you during the break,’ Jenny whispered and I gave her a firm nod. I knew my role now as Jenny’s friend and I would do whatever I needed to do to help her.

Emily guided us through the class as usual with dexterity and I meticulously followed the instructions, although my mind was wandering to thoughts of Jenny. I could see little Mikee playing with his toys under the bench. I completed the task, as usual before anyone else in the group, and after I had cleaned my surface down, I moved closer to Jenny who had stopped her cooking to tend to Mikee. She had lifted him up to sit on the bench. I approached and looked at the little lad at eye level.

‘Hello, darling,’ I said in a manner that I felt one should address a toddler. Mikee gave me one of his cheekiest grins and I felt a gap inside me fill up.

‘I’m afraid we aren’t getting anywhere today, Grace.’

‘Oh well, I can see why, Jenny. He’s a little cracker.’ I leant over and tickled him under the chin. Mikee giggled and I felt an alien sensation in my chest, like an intense fluttering. I turned to Jenny.

‘So you were telling me? Your husband?’ Jenny looked at me shook her head and waved her hand

‘Oh, that. No. I was being silly. I wasn’t thinking straight. Forget I said anything.’ She rubbed her swelling stomach. ‘It’s nothing, Grace. Forgive me, I was being rash.’

I felt anger surge through my body and a frown fill my face. I tried to lose it before Jenny turned to look at me. When she did, I was ready with a smile.