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‘Sixteen weeks?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Are you sure?’

Rick was so busy staring at the screen that he barely heard the exchange.

‘I know I should have had the scan sooner, but I was away.’ Yvette smoothed her hair. ‘Corfu. You can probably tell from my tan.’

‘Right, a nice babymoon break then?’

‘No, but that’s an awesome idea. Don’t you think, Ricky? We should have a babymoon before I get too fat. Ricky, don’t you think?’

‘Huh? Sure.’ He wasn’t sure what he was agreeing to — he was far too caught up in the image on screen. In his baby.

‘Right.’ The sonographer clicked a few buttons. ‘Are you sure about your dates? Because the baby definitely looks closer to twelve weeks to me. If you’re certain about your last menstruation date, then I need to call in a specialist to consult, and we’ll probably want to keep you in for some more tests.’ Though her tone was gentle, it sent slivers of ice through Rick. ‘You shouldn’t worry unduly, but we should check this out.’

‘Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.’ Yvette’s blasé attitude surprised him, and worried him a bit. Was she going to be like this when the baby actually arrived?

‘Yvette, if the doctor thinks this is what’s best, then this is what we should do.’

‘Oh, it’s not like she’s a proper doctor.’ Yvette shrugged and tossed her hair.

He stared at the sonographer in embarrassed horror, not entirely sure what to say or how he was supposed to respond to that. ‘I am so sorry. Yvette, that’s rude.’

‘Oh I’m sure it’s fine. And she knows what I mean.’

‘Your partner is right.’ The sonographer cleaned the probe and handed tissues to Yvette. ‘I’m not a doctor.’

‘See.’ Yvette shot him a smile that seemed to border on relieved. He really didn’t know what had gotten into her. Surely the hormones weren’t going to make her like this throughout the whole pregnancy?

‘But what I am,’ the sonographer continued, ‘is an experienced midwife, with extensive training in the field of obstetrics radiology. And while I understand that it can be very frightening to hear that your pregnancy might not be going exactly as planned, it’s much better for us to investigate these things.’

‘I’m sure there’s nothing wrong. I’d know if there was anything wrong with my baby. It’s just small because I am, that’s all. It’s not like I’d have a fat baby,’ Yvette argued, making him wonder what her problem was. He couldn’t believe she’d be so vain . . . at least, he didn’t want to believe it.

‘That’s not really how these things work. So, if you’re sure about your dates, I do need to bring in a colleague.’

‘Ricky, baby?’ Yvette turned to him with a bright smile. ‘I’m feeling really thirsty — absolutely parched — could you be the sweetest and pop out to the vending machine and grab me a Diet Coke?’

‘Right now?’

‘Yes.’

‘Yvette, I’d really like to hear what they have to say. You know, about our baby.’ Something, but he wasn’t sure what, flickered across her face. It only lasted a moment — not even a blink — but it was long enough. He folded his arms across his chest, watching her intently as the thoughts formed properly in his mind.

‘Please, baby. I’m so thirsty my throat hurts.’

‘There’s a water machine there.’ He glanced to the corner of the room.

‘But I want fizzy. Still makes me feel sick.’

‘I want to hear what you’re about to say.’ He glanced at the sonographer. ‘I’m really sorry about this.’ He felt awful for her, having to witness what he was starting to suspect would be a very embarrassing and awkward conversation.

‘It can be a very emotional time.’ She smiled sympathetically. ‘And it is important to try and be accurate about these things.’

‘Yes.’ He glared at Yvette, thinking that he couldn’t possibly be right about his suspicions. She had done some things in the past he’d questioned — behaved in ways he didn’t exactly agree with — but surely he’d got something wrong. He had to be wrong — and he’d doubtless feel like a total jerk afterwards — but he had to know. ‘Yvette, answer the question. How sure are you about your dates?’

‘Ricky . . .’ She reached out to him, but he shifted slightly away.