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“What do you think?” Dylan asked.

“It’s . . . a little strange, but drinkable.”

“You’ll get into it,” he assured her.

They took their drinks through to the sitting room and put the DVD in.

“Michael Caine knows he’s surrounded by puppets, right?” Dylan asked, five minutes in.

“That’s the beauty of it,” Lucy explained. “He plays it completely straight.”

“Are you going to sing through the entire film?”

“Only during the songs.”

“Every song?”

“Yep. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Absolutely not, just checking.”

Surprised by how comfortable she now felt around Dylan, Lucy laughed and sang along to the movie, until the ghost of Christmas still to come took Scrooge to the graveyard.

“And kids watch this?” Dylan whispered. “It’s terrifying. No wonder you and Layla bonded over it.”

“It’s character building.”

“Our baby isn’t watching this until he or she is at least fifteen.”

Lucy laughed. “Good luck with that.”

The film finished, and Lucy turned to Dylan for his reaction. “Well?”

“Of course, I think it’s amazing. On par with, if not better than, It’s a Wonderful Life.”

He stared at her for a second. “You’ve got a proper little bump.” His tone was filled with awe.

“I suppose I have,” said Lucy.

“That’s so cool.”

“Would you like to touch it?”

“Yeah. If you’re sure that’s OK?”

Lucy nodded and lay back.

Dylan shuffled closer and she felt herself stiffen as unexpected nerves washed over her.

She lifted her top to expose her stomach.

“Wow,” Dylan whispered, placing his hands on her. They were warm and firm. He moved them around as if examining every inch of her baby bump.

“I haven’t felt any kicks yet,” Lucy said.

“That’s not unusual with a first pregnancy,” Dylan said, glancing up to check on her.

She smiled to reassure him she was fine.