‘It’ll probably be a boy,’ Ben said. ‘It’s all boys in my family.’
‘Well, it’s all girls in mine. I don’t know if that’s how it goes anyway.’
‘Sorry I couldn’t be there with you.’
‘It’s fine. It was really quick and easy. And your mum drove me, which was great. They’re both being really helpful.’
‘I hope they’re not crowding you. Just tell them to back off if they are.’
‘No way, they’re being really lovely. Spoiling me rotten. Your mum’s so excited about the baby.’ Sive took a sip of the green tea sitting on Ben’s nightstand. ‘We came back here afterwards and she made me a big lunch.’
‘What did you have for lunch?’
‘Fish and chips.’
Ben groaned, licking his lips.
‘Yeah, your mum makes the best chips. And I got extra because I’m eating for two.’
‘Huh! That’s your excuse. Bean doesn’t look like she’d be a big eater at this stage.’
‘You’d be surprised.’ Sive seemed to be constantly hungry these days.
‘So what are you doing in my room?’
‘I came up for a nap after lunch. I’m just hanging out here, having a rest until it’s time to go to the theatre.’
‘Hmm, I’m not sure how I feel about you hanging out in my room without me.’
‘Why?’ she asked, sliding one of the nightstand drawers open. ‘Because I know where your chocolate stash is buried?’ She pulled out a Mars Bar, ostentatiously peeling off the wrapping.
‘Hey!’ Ben protested as she took a bite.
‘You wouldn’t grudge the mother of your child a Mars Bar surely?’
‘Nah. I’d even give you my last Rolo. You’re my best friend.’
‘Second-best friend, surely,’ Sive said, smiling wryly. ‘Inez has to be your best friend now.’
‘Well, oldest friend, then. Nothing will ever change that.’
Sive lay down and turned onto her side, propping the tablet on the pillow beside her. ‘Unless Superman flew around the world and turned back time, so you didn’t end up moving in across the road. And we weren’t in the same class at school.’
‘And you never offered to come home with me and help me with my English homework.’
‘And you didn’t ask me round to yours to watchStranger Thingswith you.’
‘Yeah,’ he said wistfully. ‘That sounds like a shit time, to be honest. Look at all we’d have missed out on.’
‘Your debs.’
‘Andyourdebs.’
‘Electric Picnic.’
‘Your eighteenth.’
‘Your twenty-first.’
