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I was sort of glad about that. Helen reminds me a little bit of the child catcher fromChitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Was really hard leaving Daisy. But the babysitter was very nice and promised to read all twenty pages of the instructions I left.

On the way to the restaurant, Nick said, ‘You know, you’d besomuch hotter if you lost that baby weight.’

I said, ‘Fuck off, Nick. I only had Daisy five months ago. You’re supposed to love me no matter what.’

He said, ‘Sure, sure. Of course I do.’ But he totally hesitated.

It was a nice meal in the end. Had a good talk about our future and the wedding and what we want from life.

I think Nick got how important a proper family home is. The wedding is a great step, but the house is the crucial thing.

Nick took my hand and promised he’d work harder than ever to make it happen. That we woulddefinitelymove out of his mum’s apartment.

Nick and I should have more date nights. We get on really well when Helen isn’t around.

When we got home, I ran straight to Daisy.

I always feel guilty about leaving her, even for a few hours.

She’s so lovely when she’s sleeping. And when she’s smiling. And crying. All the time, really.

Saturday February 28th

Miracle of miracles, Sadie showed up for training today.

Laura came too – she’d only jogged 30 miles this week so wanted to get a few more in.

We jogged along the Thames.

On the way back, Laura asked if Sadie and I were going to the Dalton’s Spring Ball.

Catrina Dalton does a big charity ball twice a year and invites the whole village. It always involves some horrible charity auction where they sell off the girls for dates with boys.

Nick never bids more than fifty quid on me. It’s just hideous.

I told her I didn’t fancy it this year.

Sadie said, ‘Will it be at the Bond Street Dalton again?’

Laura said yes.

Then Sadie gushed about the delicious food and cocktails at all the Dalton hotels, and how she’d hadthemost amazing calamari last year. She asked if Alex Dalton was still single.

We said yes.

Sadie said, ‘And what about the younger brother? You know. The blond one.’

Laura said, ‘Zach Dalton? Yes he’ll be there.’

Like we don’t know Zach’s last name.

I asked Laura how she knew Zach was going, and she went all red.

Then she admitted that Zach had asked her to the ball. As his date.

I screeched ‘Oh my God!’ so loudly that a pigeon took off from a lamp post.