‘Says the woman with a hot fireman, with a big hose at the ready. You lucky cow!’

Pete walked away. He had heard enough. He had his suspicions that Felicitywasn’t completely happy, but hearing her describe their love life in that way, he knew he was right not to call things off at the bar. It was just a matter of picking the right time and then he would tell her.

‘Pete’s every bit as hot as any fireman. I bloody love that man! I want him. I just wish I had the time to breathe and to give him all of me. For him to just take all of me and formy mind to be where my body is.’

‘I see.’ Lisa really didn’t see, in fact she could barely see anything with her eyelids getting so heavy.

‘Not drifting off, thinking of shopping or washing, or what time the children are going to get me up in the morning.’

‘I see.’ Now Lisa was pretty sure all she was looking at was the inside of her eyelids.

‘But it’s not justthat. I spend half my day with children clambering over me, Callum and Fred love their mummy cuddles and I love them hugging me, Megan and Alice too, but by the time they are all finally in bed I want my body back; a moment to be me. Sometimes it feels like I’ve given so much in the day I’ve got nothing left. And I miss enjoying sex. I feel sorry for myself, if I’m honest. Pete and I, we were greattogether. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other once. I’d love to get that back!’

Lisa shifted on the sofa and Flick realised how tactless she had been; how could she complain about all those Mummy cuddles and having the children clamber over her after all that Lisa had said earlier? Guilt washed over her. ‘Oh, Lisa, I’m so sorry. I—’

Lisa snored, finally succumbing to herdesperate need to sleep.