Amy was sitting up against her pillows, her swollen breasts resting on the duvet, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders.

She was the same age as him but looked at least five years younger. Her pale skin was flawless and her eyes were an electrifying blue.

He forced a smile and crossed the room to plant a kiss on her lips. As always he felt a rush of affection for her. She was the first woman he had ever loved and he couldn’t imagine ever being without her.

Since meeting her he had changed for the better. He’d mellowed and matured. He no longer kept trying to live up to his fearsome reputation as a short-tempered thug. Those days were behind him and he was glad of it.

He still sorted people out when ordered to do so but he no longer threw his weight around or started unnecessary fights just for the fun of it.

‘You look done in, Terry,’ Amy said. ‘Is everything all right?’

‘Sure it is,’ he told her. ‘I’m late because I had a meeting with the boss.’

‘What about?’

‘Oh, just business stuff. But he got me drinking champagne and it’s gone straight to my head.’

She laughed. ‘I have no sympathy. You know that bubbly doesn’t agree with you.’

‘Yeah, well, best to keep the boss sweet.’

He went into the en suite, cleaned his teeth and emptied his bladder. He was anxious not to get drawn into a conversation because he might just blurt out something he’d regret.

‘I need to get some shut eye,’ he said as he climbed into bed. ‘I’ve got another early start in the morning.’

He gave her a cuddle and at the same time reached over to switch off the lamp.

‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ Amy asked him. ‘You don’t seem your usual self.’

‘I’m fine. Honest. Just dead tired.’

‘Only I was hoping that maybe we could get it on. I’ve been so bloody horny all evening.’

Pregnancy had boosted Amy’s libido to the point where it seemed she couldn’t get enough of it, and normally he was only too eager to satisfy her craving. But right now a shag was out of the question. With what was going on inside his head he was sure he wouldn’t even be able to get it up.

‘It’ll have to wait until morning, babe,’ he said. ‘I’m so knackered I know I’ll disappoint you.’

‘Why don’t you let me work my magic then,’ she said as she reached under the duvet.

But she failed to get a rise out of him and he was relieved when she gave up after thirty seconds and rolled over.