‘You sweet girl.’ Andy leant over and kissed her tummy. ‘I hope our baby has your lovely nature.’

‘God, I don’t! Self-pitying, jealous, insecure … Wouldn’t wish that on the poor little bugger. I hope he or she is exactly like you.’

‘What, pompous and a slave to its tiresome principles?’

‘Well it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if those particular traits skipped a generation or two …’

Andy laughed and again leant over to kiss her.

‘Another cup of tea?’

‘Thanks, darling. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to get extremely bored with herbal tea over the next seven months …’

Andy went into the kitchen and Bella hugged her knees up to her chest.

A baby. Their very own baby. She still could hardly believe it. How grown up. How incredibly exciting. And how unutterably wonderful it was going to be to create a new person that they would love forever, out of their love for one another (it looked as though the conception had probably been in Paris).

Bella’s head was full of distinctly impractical dreams of eco-friendly terry-towelling nappies and embroidered smocks and hanging fresh washing out on a line somewhere it would dry beautifully in the sun, when her phone beeped with a text.

It was Poppy.

I know you’re up the duff, Belles! Antibiotics never stop you drinking. I promise not to tell anyone, but congratulations! I’m so so happy for you! Namewise I suggest Poppy if she’s a girl or Paris (just a guess) if he’s a boy. Love you! xxxxxxxxx

‘God that woman’s got a nerve,’ said Andy, reading over Bella’s shoulder. ‘Can we veto those two names immediately? One Poppy in our life is more than enough. And Paris? Does she think we’re the Beckhams or something?’

Bella laughed.

‘But do tell her that she and Damian can be godparents, if they want …’

‘Oh, they’d love that! Thanks, darling …’

‘It would set Junior up for life if Damian starts to earn as much as I think Hollywood screenwriters earn.’

Bella looked at him, smiling. ‘You know what, I think that is possibly the least noble thing you’ve ever said in your life.’

Andy smiled back at her.

‘I’ve never had a child before. I can quite honestly say, my love, that when it comes to our baby, bugger my tiresome principles!’

‘Bugger your tiresome principles.’ Bella laughed, overwhelmed by happiness.

Andy kissed her. And then he kissed her tummy again.

To my fantastic agent, Annabel Merullo at PFD, for enabling me to do what I’ve always wanted to do, and the amazing Laura Williams, for your constant support and dedication beyond the call of duty (I didn’t really expect you to respond to that Sunday night email immediately!).

Sarah Ritherdon, my brilliant editor, for being right – yet again! – the blood, sweat and tears behind the enormous rewrite were definitely worth it in the end; Kate, Elinor, Hannah, Alice and the rest of the team at HarperCollins for all your hard work behind the scenes.