‘I like it.’ I smiled. ‘Can I get you a drink?’
He placed the bath and rabbit down on the kitchen counter. ‘I’d love a coffee please.’
‘No problem. So what is it you’ve brought?’ I’d already started rifling through the bath – there were half packs of wipes and nappies and things, some brand-new BabyGros and muslins and a few toys.
‘It’s all stuff my friends didn’t use with their newborn. He was big and didn’t fit in the tiny stuff for long and it’s all neutral, as they didn’t know what they were having. Will it come in handy?’
‘Definitely, it’s great, thank you.’ I filled the kettle and put it on to boil. ‘I haven’t got anything like this yet, but I’m going to order a Moses basket and cot this week.’
‘I got you this too.’ He reached inside one of the nappy boxes and pulled out a DVD. I took it from him and smiled.
‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting.’
‘I’ve, er, no idea if it’s any good,’ he said. I gave him a raised-eyebrow response. ‘Okay, okay, yes. I did see this one. No explosions or car chases though so it’s a bit boring really. Sorry, I’ll take it back.’ He put a hand on the DVD and tried to take it back, joking. I let go and folded my arms. ‘Fine, it’s hilarious!’
I laughed. ‘I already know you’re a sucker for a romcom. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your friends.’ I winked. ‘Thank you though, I’m spending next week sorting out the nursery so I’ll probably need something fun to collapse on the sofa to.’
‘Well if there’s anything I can do, just give me a shout. I can help paint the nursery or assemble the cot, probably, if there are instructions.’
I smiled and handed him his coffee. My hand brushed his as I did.
‘I’ll take you up on that.’ My phone buzzed. ‘Sorry, just a sec.’ I left him sat at the breakfast bar and grabbed my phone off the coffee table.
Charlotte, I’m so sorry. My client has just dropped a 10kg kettlebell on her foot!!! Driving her to A and E as we speak. I’m not going to make the antenatal class. I’m so sorry – can we reschedule? Xxx
I groaned. No, I couldn’t bloody reschedule. I’d pre-paid for the session.
‘What’s up? Not another holy water and sage situation is it?’ Andrew asked.
‘No, not this time. Megan, my birthing partner is supposed to be going to antenatal classes with me tonight but she’s had to cancel. I’m sure people go on their own all the time.’ I tried to shrug it off, even though the thought horrified me so much I contemplated taking Frances up on her offer of help and asking if she’d go with me.
‘I’ll come with you.’
My eyes shot up, meeting his. ‘No. No way, that’s too much to ask of you. You’ve done so much already.’ I gestured to the baby bath.
‘It’s fine – I’ve no plans. I’m happy to help.’
I chewed down on my lip. Extra time with Andrew was a bonus, but extra time with Andrew whilst pretending to squeeze out a baby wasn’t so appealing. Neither was going alone. ‘Are you sure?’ I looked up at him from beneath my eyelashes. ‘It won’t be pretty.’
We’d chatted for so long, it was six-forty before I’d checked the time and I’d had to run upstairs and change into a T-shirt and my loose-fitting pregnancy pants that were a bit like yoga pants with ‘growing room’.
‘I can’t believe we’re going to be late after just sitting there,’ I said as we were leaving.
‘Don’t worry, in between watching romcoms, I’m partial to the odd Fast and Furious film. We’ll make it.’
We made it, just, and he didn’t speed. I was impressed. As we walked inside, the room was already filled with couples sat on mats. The instructor smiled as we hovered in the doorway. ‘Please, come in and take a mat. There’s a space over there.’ Fortunately, the space she’d pointed out was near the back. Andrew picked up a mat and we weaved between the couples to reach our spot.
There was lots of practical information about planning ahead, what to pack for the hospital and so on, and then we were on to labour. I shuffled uncomfortably, feeling terrible for Andrew. It must have been so dull for him. I glanced at him every now and then but he was listening so intently that he didn’t seem to notice. Maybe he was okay after all.
‘So, ladies, if you’d like to sit in front of your partner, we’re going to practise breathing techniques.’
I looked awkwardly at Andrew, who’d already spun around and was sat with his arms open. I smiled shyly and shuffled towards him. The instructor started teaching us a technique and whilst I sat there wondering how on earth deep breaths would help, Andrew pressed his mouth to my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. ‘If you can’t breathe without lessons, should you really be having a baby?’ I snorted and a few people turned to look at me.
Then we were on to massage, and as Andrew massaged my shoulders I whispered ‘sorry’. It should have been Megan learning to do that. It was almost as if I’d wasted my money because she’d learned nothing but, guiltily, I enjoyed every minute.
By the end of the session, I did feel a little bit more confident. Megan would just have to watch the NHS antenatal videos on YouTube. As I sat in Andrew’s car, I could still feel the warmth of his hands in all the places he’d touched: my tummy, my arms, and my shoulders. ‘Thank you for coming – it would have been unbearable on my own,’ I said as he turned the ignition.
‘My pleasure,’ he said cheerfully.
‘It must have been so boring for you though. I’ll have to take you for a coffee sometime to thank you.’ I said it breezily but noticed a slight
