I wanted to say goodbye to Ben first before he left for London where he was spending most of the week to go through all the formalities such as contracts for the album recording. It all sounded incredibly complicated so I put my faith in him that he knew what he was doing.

I smiled at Ben as he approached me for a final embrace. He gave the baby bump his usual tender touch just before I slipped from his arms.

‘I’d make you some breakfast but it seems the cooker is playing up again.’ I put my mug on the coffee table and ran both my hands through Ben’s hair, and he responded like a dog being petted.

‘I’ll take a look before I go,’ he said. Eve gave a splutter and a cough.

‘You? Don’t be daft,’ she said placing her cup on the table.

‘No,’ Ben said firmly. ‘I will.’

Eve and I looked at one another. Eve’s expression was of amusement whereas mine probably resembled a lovesick puppy, overwhelmed at Ben’s attempt at real domesticity.

Five minutes later Ben emerged from behind the cooker. Eve and I stood leaning against the wall of the kitchen waiting with anticipation.

‘Nope. I mean, it’s pretty old.’ He stood up and brushed his jeans down.

‘Told you,’ Eve said and walked away.

‘Oh, never mind, honey. At least you tried. It takes practice at these things. My dad didn’t know anything about electrics and DIY stuff, but he just sort of learnt it along the way,’ I said wistfully. Those sort of core memories were the ones I remembered the most.

‘Well, he probably had a dad to learn from,’ Ben said with a sniff.

‘Well, perhaps. Anyway, cookers are tricky. Especially this ancient thing. We should leave it to the experts. I promise I will call the chap today. In the meantime, I don’t think any of us should use it. We still have the microwave.’ I put my arms around him, and thrust a thigh around his leg, pulling him in as close as I could with the bump between us. ‘I rather liked you on the floor then, all manly and stuff.’

‘Really? Is that what does it for you, cos I can do that a lot. Can’t say I’ll be able to fix anything,’ he laughed.

‘Do you need anything else before you go?’ I released him and patted his rear.

‘Nope. I should get going really. The meeting is at 2 p.m. Better give myself a few extra hours for rail problems and the walk from the station.’ I walked him to the door. ‘I’m sorry I won’t be here for your birthday next week. But I’ll be back two days after and I promise we’ll celebrate big time.’ Ben placed two holdalls next to the front door, took me in his arms and lifted my chin. ‘I love you. I’m doing this for us okay? Me, you and the baby.’

‘I know. And I appreciate it. I’m not saying it won’t be hard. But it will be worth it when we can afford to buy our own place.’