Over the months since he’d first wandered into the pub, she and Ray had got into a routine of sorts. He would pick her up from work on the nights that he was in Newcastle and they would come back to the caravan. He’d started to stay the night, too – not every time, but often enough for her to think that he was serious. He was good company, light and funny, never taking anything too seriously, but not being over-casual either. Like most of the men she’d met, he wasn’t keen on talking about the future, but she didn’t feel as if he would ditch her if she did. As the months ticked on Melissa started to feel like their relationship was, if not permanent, then at least reliable. That might all change, though, when she told him that she was pregnant, but what could she do? She couldn’t put it off forever. He would notice for himself soon enough.

She decided to fill him in on their news as they were driving back to the caravan one night. That way, Melissa figured, he couldn’t storm off, although she hoped he wasn’t so shocked that he crashed the car into a tree.

‘I’ve got something to tell you,’ she said as they left the city centre and the traffic started to thin a little. She tried to make her voice sound excited, like this was something he would definitely want to hear, but it came out a little over-bright and desperate. Hoping he wouldn’t notice, Melissa spun round in her seat so she could watch his facial expressions. Then, steeling herself, she continued, ‘We’re going to have a baby. Isn’t that fantastic?’

Ray didn’t react at all, although Melissa was certain that he’d heard her. He just kept driving, his eyes never leaving the road.

‘Ray? Did you hear me?’ she asked, anxiety rising like bile in her throat. ‘I’m pregnant.’

Still nothing, but she saw his jaw tighten and his hands grip the wheel a little more firmly.

‘Well, say something!’

His silence was disconcerting. She hadn’t been expecting him to jump for joy – not to start with, anyway – but she was entitled to some kind of response, wasn’t she? Suddenly there wasn’t enough air in the car. Melissa opened her mouth to suck in more oxygen as her heart beat harder. Why wasn’t he saying anything? It was almost as if her words had put him into some sort of trance.

‘Ray!’ she tried again. ‘Did you hear me? I’m pregnant.’

Then Ray flicked on the indicator, braked without warning and swerved the car to the side of the road. The car behind them honked impatiently, the driver flicking a V sign at them as he flashed by, but Ray seemed oblivious. Slowly he shifted the gears into neutral and turned off the engine.