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"Hearty stew?" echoes Luke "Who’s going to make hearty stew?"

"We can buy it at Waitrose," I explain

I come round the table and look up at hiain be in Sri Lanka with authentic wood-carvers right in front of us This is a unique opportunity And I’ve had it personalized!"

I point to the panel of wood running down the side of the table There, beautifully carved in a the flowers, are the words Luke and Rebecca, Sri Lanka, 2003

Luke runs a hand over the table He feels the weight of one of the chairs I can see hiht frown

"Becky, is there anything else you’ve bought that you haven’t told uise by pretending to examine one of the carved flowers

"Of course not!" I say at last "Or… you know Maybe just the odd little souvenir along the way Just here and there"

"Like what?"

"I can’t reoodness’ sake!" I look at the table again "Come on, Luke, you must love it We can have fantastic dinner parties… and it’ll be an heirloom! We can hand it down to our children--"

I break off a bit aardly For a o we had this huge big discussion and decided that we’d like to try for a baby But so far nothing’s happened

IIt will happen Of course it will

"All right," says Luke, his voice a little gentler "You’ve won ives the table a pat, then looks at his watch "I’e of plans" He givesme to burst open the door of the boardroom and yell ‘Surprise, I’ a beat