She laughed, then stopped and looked at him. He’d been drinking champagne and lager. He’d had an intensely emotional day. But the way he was looking at her…

‘Are you serious? Absolutely? One hundred per cent?’

‘One hundred per cent.’

‘I don’t know if it’s the right reason to do it – because it’s proper.’

‘Kirsty, the reason I want to marry you is because I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.’ He shrugged. ‘That’s it.’

She took a bite of poppadum, swallowed it, took a sip of her drink. ‘OK then.’

He looked into her eyes, trying to work out if she was being serious. ‘Is that a yes?’

‘It sure is.’

He got up, came round the table and hugged her, kissing her, tasting spices on her lips. What a day. He looked over at the Newtons – Lucy had come back from the kitchens, and she and Chris were sitting staring at each other, their lips not moving, no conversation between them – and he thought, Fuck them. Nobody can make me unhappy. Not now. Not tonight. He was drunk and sentimental. He thought: I’m having a child, I’m marrying the woman I want to be with forever. I’ve built my nest and nobody – nobody – is going to spoil it.

Just let them try.

‘There are conditions, though,’ Kirsty said, as he sat back down. ‘I don’t want a big ceremony. We’ll do it at the registry office, just us and a couple of witnesses. I’m not interested in that big so-called fairytale thing and, anyway, everyone would think it was a shotgun wedding. I know our parents will be upset, but, well, to be honest I don’t think they expect us to ever get married anyway. So they won’t really be missing out.’

‘Your dad will probably be pleased to save the money.’

‘Perhaps. And, anyway, it’s our day. I don’t want every aunt and uncle and second cousin I’ve never met gawping at me as I stumble up the aisle with my bump.’

Their meal arrived. It smelled delicious. Jamie dipped naan bread into his curry and took a bite. It was so hot it made his nose run. That was a good sign. If an Indian didn’t make his nose run it was too bland. When the waiter had brought the plates over, Jamie had asked for another pint of lager and a jug of water for Kirsty. They arrived now, and Jamie took a big gulp. He was so happy.

‘Who will we have as our witnesses?’ he asked through a mouthful of rice.

‘Heather for one, I guess. We could have had Heather and Paul.’

‘I know.’ He tutted sadly.