"Frightened," she answers, relieved to finally say that word. "They say they have to operate, although I suppose you already know that. The umbilical cord's slipped out too soon and Valerie could crush it if I give birth to her naturally."

She really is panicked. Not as much as before, now that her husband is here. But Sarah's never much liked hospitals or operations. Let alone the whole, becoming a parent idea is suddenly becoming far too real.