Back in my bedroom I turned off the big light and climbed into bed. The weight of my bump was now so uncomfortable, I was experiencing regular shooting pains and dull aches low down. I pushed a pillow under my stomach and felt the relief of the weight lifted. I lay there, still feeling the chill of the room and pulled Ben’s cardigan around me. An eeriness to the whole scenario was filling my body. I kept playing it over and over, wondering why it was bothering me so much.

It took me a little while to fall back to sleep. The image of Annie was on replay in my mind, the unconscious look she gave me before she turned back into her room, the speed at which she was back in bed and lying there as though she hadn’t just been standing naked in my room a few minutes earlier.

I slept in until almost lunchtime the next morning; being woken up in the night had affected me and this morning I found sleeping in came a little more naturally.

I woke to the door opening and Annie walked in with a tray of food.

‘You need to keep your strength up and that baby needs food. You can’t just sleep all day.’ There was an edge to Annie’s voice that hadn’t been there yesterday. It made my stomach go tense.

Annie placed the tray of food down next to the bed. I peered over. Annie had prepared a fruit platter and a glass of water. She perched on the side of the bed, clamping down some of the duvet so it went taut across my leg. I jerked my leg to move but the weight of Annie’s backside had made the duvet too tight for me to release it.

‘Here is your pill, Daisy.’ Annie held her hand out and the little white pill was sitting in the middle. I looked at it for a moment and then at Annie.

‘You know, Annie, I think I’m going to try a day without drugs. See how I feel.’

She looked thoughtful for a moment. She took in a deep breath before she spoke.

‘You know, I got to know an incredible number of social workers in my job, you wouldn’t think it, would you? I know two very well. Still keep in touch with them online from time to time. Sometimes it’s hard to not talk about us, me and you and our little set-up. I’m such an honest person, you see. I dread to think what damage it might cause.’ We looked at one another, Annie’s stare was firm and rigid. ‘Anyway,’ Annie sing-songed and stood up. I moved my leg and felt the air circulating around it again. ‘I’m sure you think you know what’s best for you, Daisy, but things are different now. You’re living here. This is my house after all.’ Annie picked up the glass of water and pushed her open palm with the pill in it towards me. ‘There you go, deary. Get it down you. Does you the world of good.’