Now as I stood here seeing her in the flesh I could tell there was a coarseness to Annie; her face was a myriad of untold stories and emotions, something which that momentary captured image neglected to show. I looked at Annie’s starched white shirt and then looked down at my faded grey T-shirt with The Rolling Stones ‘tongue and lip’ logo and the baggy green combat trousers with the top button that I could no longer do up. I took comfort in my sacred red heels I religiously wore, knowing I would only be able to wear them for a few more weeks before they became uncomfortable. Today, as I met my mother-in-law for the first time, I hoped they were the little sparkle of distraction I needed, for I was conscious that my bulging abdomen was an awkward representation of exactly how long Ben and I had been together; a life that was created the night we met almost five months ago.

That extra hour I had convinced Ben to spend in bed with me had taken its toll. I looked down at my own unplanned outfit that I had grappled around for at the last minute. I hadn’t expected her to have this sort of impact on me. Was Annie looking past the veneer? If she was, then she didn’t need to look very hard. I could feel my guard had not only slipped but was disintegrating with every second that she looked at me. I had a feeling I was getting sussed out and I didn’t like the way I suddenly felt so exposed.

I watched as Annie’s gaze was drawn down to my abdomen. The baby bump was apparent and taut skin was slightly exposed under my T-shirt that had edged its way upwards.

I could feel her look of disdain but Annie didn’t say a word about the human life that was growing within me, her own flesh and blood.

’You’re late, son. That’s unusual of you.’ Annie flashed a look my way.

‘Sorry, Mum, traffic.’ Ben said.

I watched Annie’s contorted smile as Ben hopped from one leg to another like a restless child.

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Ben, get through into that lounge.’ Annie gave an elaborate shooing motion with both hands before turning to me. Her fake smile faded and it seemed she could do nothing to stop it. I saw the realisation spread across her face, manifested as a sort of flickering of her head and then watched as she desperately tried to drag that smile back. There was a searching in her eyes, I could see her mind mulling something over very quickly, and then she looked at me with intent, as though she knew me. Panic surged through my veins. It wasn’t possible, I reassured myself.

Annie spoke, but it was too loud for the situation.

‘Come, come on through then.’ She held one hand out to guide me into the house. I followed Ben as Annie closed the heavy wooden door behind me.