'But let me know if you need a loo break or a rest or anything there's a car on standby.'

Thank God for Maxine being so good at her job.

'Actually, I wouldn't mind a sit-down.'

'The car's just at the end of the track. Would you like to go now and then come back?'

'Perfect. You stay here I'll be fine.'

'Sure?'

'Of course. You need to be here, and I won't be long. Shall I bring you back a coffee?'

She looks surprised, and rather pleased.

'That would be great. Thanks, Jo.'

'So, did you enjoy it?'

'It was great, Grace, fascinating. Thanks so much for inviting me. I can't wait to see it at the cinema.'

'I think it'll be OK. He's great, Tom. Genius, actually.'

'The bit with Jean-Luc was good. Well, it looked good to me.'

We got to watch the close-up bits on the monitor, and there was a lot more sexual tension going on than I remember in the Angela Lansbury version, particularly the moment, after he'd sat down next to her on the blanket, when he touched her arm, and she sort of froze, and then looked at him. And even standing thirty foot away, peering at a monitor and desperate for another wee, you could feel it.

'Glad you liked it. We're off to Cornwall next week, I think.'

'Maxine told me.'

'Bit far for you to come, I guess. Not long until the baby now, is it? Are you all set?'

'No.'

She smiles.

'Lily adores babies I can't wait for her to see yours; and rabbits, actually more the rabbits, to be honest. I thought I might knit one for her. Can you get me a pattern?'

'Sure.'

'Did Max tell you we're seeing Mr Fitzgerald tomorrow?'

'Yes.'

'OK?'

'Fine.'

'I know nothing, yes?'

'Please.'

'No problem. Take care, darling, and we'll see you soon.' She stands up and gives me a hug. A real hug. And then she snaps back into film-star mode. 'Where's Prince Charming, Max?'

Maxine looks confused.

'I thought you didn't know about that.'

'I know everything, Max darling. You should know that by now.'

'He's having a swim.'

'Is he? God, where does he get the energy? Right, I'm going to see Lily and then can you get Sam to sort me out a salad, and some rice, but not that brown stuff, OK? I hate that now.'

'Sure.'

Maxine walks me back to my car.

'All the research was great, Jo. I'll chase the money for you they always take ages to pay anything.'

'Thanks, Maxine.'

'Drive safely and call me when anything happens, yes? We'll probably see you before, but if not, call me.'

'Sure.'

'You're trying not to think about it, right?'

'Pretty much.'

'OK. I've sent something from us, for your baby shower.'

'How did you know about that?'

'Elsie, the woman from your shop. She was telling me all about it at the beach party.'

We're standing by my car now.

'I'd better go and find Bruno. She wants to go out to dinner with Jean-Luc tonight; there must be a Michelin-starred place somewhere round here.'

'Good luck. All I saw on the way down was a series of Little Chefs.'

'Now that's a front-page picture I'd pay money to see.'

I'm having tea with the boys on Thursday night before Stitch and Bitch and the official baby shower, which we're doing tonight because Angela's going to be away next week and then Maggie's got a holiday booked. There's been no news from Daniel, which I sort of knew there wouldn't be. Although Maxine did ring to say he was being more of an arse than usual about being a creative-genius photographer, and he's got two assistants now, and is wearing much trendier clothes so Liv is obviously having an impact. It was kind of her to call, though, not that I really expected anything to happen, but it was nice to know they'd finished and there hadn't been any Conversations.

Archie's sulking.

'I hate pasta, you know I do. Why do we always have pasta?'

'We had fish pie last night, Archie.'

'Yes, and I hate that too. And I don't want sauce on mine.'

'Just plain spaghetti?'

'Yes.'

'No cheese?'

'A bit.'

'You have to have sauce if you want cheese.' He throws his fork on the floor.

Time for a bit of diversionary attention, I think.

'Archie, I've been meaning to ask you, well, both of you, actually pick your fork up, love, and put it in the sink; I'll get you a clean one, but please don't be silly like that again I wanted to ask you about presents, from the baby.'

'From the baby, not for the silly baby?'

'No, definitely from. When you were born you helped me get Jack a big present.'

'What was it?'

'The playmobil zoo.'

'That's only for babies.'

'Yes, but Jack was only two when you were born. I thought this time we could choose together.'

'Not clothes. Gran says everyone's bringing clothes for the baby at the party tonight.'

'It's not a party, Archie. It's only people giving us things for the baby.'

'It's called a shower.'

'Yes, Jack.'

'Which is stupid.'

'Well, maybe, but it's nice of people to want to give us presents, don't you think? Only they'll all be quite boring, clothes and things, so why don't you think about what you'd like, and I can see if I can find it ready for when the baby comes.'

'I'll go and get my catalogues.'

Jack loves looking at toy catalogues and has got quite a collection in his bedroom.

Archie nods.

'Yes, and then we can write a list.'

Martin brings the cups down from upstairs: he's fitting the shower with Kevin, which hasn't been quite as straightforward as they thought. They've been here all day, and Martin's got the soaking-wet trouser legs to prove it.

'Sorry to interrupt. You haven't got a bucket, have you?'

'In the cupboard under the sink I'll get it for you. How's it going?'

'We couldn't get the level right but it's sorted out now. We should be able to turn the water back on soon.'

'Great.'

'The pump's all fitted.'

Reg will do the tiling when they're done, so that'll be him spending hours wandering about with tubs of grout tomorrow. God, I wish I'd never started this.

'Would you like a cup of tea?'

'Please.'

'It's two sugars for Kevin, right?'

'Yes, and he says if there's any more biscuits he'd be grateful; they keep him going.'

I know the feeling.

'Are we still on for roast-chicken practice on Sunday?'

'Sure.'

'Shall I bring anything?'

'Just your pinny.'

'My what?' He's grinning.

'Don't worry. You can borrow one of mine.'

I'm late getting to the shop and Elsie's already arrived and opened up, and is helping Connie put out cups and saucers when Tina and Linda arrive.

Tina's carrying a Tupperware box.

'I've done a few sausage rolls. Shall I put them in the kitchen?'

'Please, Tina.'

Connie's got a large white cake box.

'Don't look. It will be a surprise.'