Paula said nothing as she picked up the menu. It was an area where she and Julie differed. As soon as Paula had started dating Tommy, well over fifteen years ago now, Julie had spotted his potential, and had warned her friend not to let him slip through the net. After all, she reasoned, how many opportunities came along in a lifetime to get with a man who would never, ever be poor?

For Paula, it had been different. She had seen a good man in Tommy, one who peppered her with kindness and wasn’t stifling in his love. She had never needed the annual bonus that his work brought in, nor the big house, nor the two cars, or the once-in-a-lifetime holiday taken every year.

She’d just wanted a man to love, one who would love her back.

Now, she had everything she could possibly want, except for the easiest thing of all – a baby. Tommy was still there, though, and she smiled at the thought of him.

‘It’s not right, doing something like that behind his back,’ she said. ‘We have to discuss something as big as starting a family.’

Julie snorted. ‘Discuss it long enough, sweetheart, and the decision will be taken out of your hands.’ And in case Paula didn’t get her meaning, she leaned forward, her ample bosom resting on the tabletop. ‘You’ll be too old.’ She sat back, crossed her arms. ‘Maybe that’s what he’s stalling for.’

Paula rolled her eyes, taking no offence from her best friend’s straight talk. ‘Shut up, Jules. If he didn’t want a family, why would he have bought us a five-bedroom house?’

‘For show!’ Julie said. ‘People like Tommy Ellis need the big house, the flash car. It’s all about appearances.’ She pointed her finger at Paula. ‘Just don’t wait another year.’

‘I need to lose weight if I’m having a baby. God knows I don’t want to be shifting baby weight and pre-baby weight afterwards,’ Paula said. She slammed the menu closed. ‘Salad for me, and a mineral water.’

Julie raised her eyebrows. She said nothing, but it spoke volumes.

‘What?’ asked Paula.

Julie sighed and shut her own menu. ‘Do you ever do anything for yourself?’

‘What?’ Paula laughed, but at the sight of Julie’s face, it trailed off into nothing.

‘It’s just everything you do or say is for Tommy. I can’t remember the last time we did something that wasn’t ultimately for him.’

‘What do you call this shopping trip?’

‘It’s not for you, we’re here for steaks for Tommy!’ Julie said. She took a deep breath, then reached over and covered Paula’s hand with her own. ‘Just… don’t lose yourself. You’re a person too, and a pretty damn good one. It shouldn’t be all about him.’