'I know the feeling.'

'You look great.'

'Thanks.'

'I didn't realise you'd be so ... so ...'

'Huge?'

He laughs.

'Pregnant. So pregnant.'

'The baby's big.'

'Right. Well, that's good, yes?' He's smiling.

'Yes. Putting on weight and doing all the things they're meant to do.'

'Great. So do I park in here?'

'Yes, or there are more spaces round the side.'

Connie finds us a table at the back by moving a reserved card. She hands Daniel a menu.

'I'll just be a minute.'

'Thanks, Connie.'

'No problem.'

'Excuse me a minute, Daniel I won't be long.' I walk towards the ladies and Connie joins me in about thirty seconds flat.

'Is he?'

'Yes. Daniel.'

'Porca Madonna.'

'With knobs on. He just turned up, at the shop.'

'OK, but this is good, yes?'

'I don't know. I don't know what he wants yet.'

'Yes, it's good; he wants to talk about the baby.'

'I think so.'

'Of course he does. Why else would he be here?'

'I don't know.'

'If he upsets you Mark will hit him. I will tell him.'

'Great.'

She kisses me.

'It will be OK, but remember, you give me the winking and I will get Mark.'

'Great.'

Christ, so now I've got to remember not to wink, on top of everything else.

'I think I'll go for the steak and kidney pie; the food's good here, right?'

'Brilliant.'

'Great. Look, I'm sorry about just turning up like this. I know I should probably have a plan, but I'm not that hot on planning. I just didn't want you to think I'm not bothered. I have been thinking about it.'

'OK.'

Connie comes over to take our orders, and makes me have lamb stew when I try to order a salad.

'She's a friend of yours, I take it?'

'Yes.'

'She seems nice.'

'She is. Her husband does all the cooking.'

'Is he Italian too?'

'No, but they met over there.'

God, this is strange, sitting chit-chatting with him, like we're just old friends meeting up for Sunday lunch.

'So are you OK for money?'

'Fine, thanks.'

'Sure?'

'Yes. Definitely.'

'We'll have to sort something out about that. It's just, well, I wasn't up for anything like this. Babies haven't really been part of my plans. I'm just not ready. I think that's the problem. And I'm so fucking busy with work you wouldn't believe it.'

'I know the feeling.'

'Sorry, angel. I do realise this is tough for you.'

'This isn't really about me or you, Daniel, is it?'

'No, I suppose not. Only it's difficult for me right now, angel.'

'How are things with Liv?'

'Fine. Great, actually. But '

'You still haven't told her?'

'No. It's never seemed the right time. Her first husband had kids, and it was complicated.'

'I didn't realise she'd been married.'

'Twice.'

'Oh, right.'

There's another silence.

'But I don't want you thinking I'm some callous bastard. I want to do the right thing here.'

'Only you're not sure what that is?'

'Exactly.'

The food arrives, and I can tell he's surprised at how good it is.

'Did Grace say something to you when you saw her?'

'No.'

'Really?'

'Nothing specific. She was treating me like I was radioactive, so I asked her what her problem was.'

'And?'

'Big mistake.'

'Oh.'

'Made me think, though.'

'What did she say?'

'Not much, just that she didn't think you'd let me anywhere near the baby since I'm such a fucked-up loser.'

'Oh.'

He grins.

'Sweet girl.'

'She is, when you get to know her.'

'Sure. So will you? Let me see it? The baby, I mean.'

'Of course I will.'

'Good. I thought maybe I could come down here sometimes ... actually, maybe London would be better. I could buy a house. What do you think? I love London. I don't suppose you fancy moving?'

'Where to?'

'I could buy a big house, use it as a base when I'm in town.'

'What, and we'd live in it? How would Liv feel about that?'

He grins.

'She'd go ballistic'

'You've really thought this through, haven't you?'

We both start to laugh.

'Christ, I'm trying to do the right thing here. How am I doing so far?'

'Not great.'

'I love her, that's the trouble. If I didn't, I'd dump her and move in with you, play happy families for a while, see how it goes.'

'No, you wouldn't.'

'I would. Seriously. Might be just what I need. Would you, if I asked you?'

'Would I what?'

'Give it a go. You, me and the baby.'

'And the boys.'

'Sure.'