After what seems an age comes the return of Boys Night.

I hardly get a hello as Richard strides in, takes off his coat and heads for the kitchen and the laptop. Joanne at least is a little more interested in seeing me if only to show off her new trainers, which light up when she walks.

I’d already had a beer today at lunchtime when I met Amanda at the Inn on the Lake for a pre-Christmas celebration. This year a much scaled down event, unlike Amanda who has scaled up in the 3 weeks since I last saw her. No longer able to fit in the Mercedes she roared into the car park in the Jeep. On what should be a few days away from her due date it’s obvious that something will happen soon.

This evening we sit and talk. Drink Hoegaarden and listen to music. Richard, a complete addict for 4 To The Bar is busy singing along with “A Little Piece of Paper” and eating a whole bag of prawn crackers; Joanne is climbing up me to do backflips while I hold her hands.

I wonder what homelife will be like for Amanda in the New Year.