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finds out. I love Betty, but you and I both know she’s a real traditionalist.’
    That was true, Cara agreed. Irrespective of Kim’s entirely rational reasoning, she could only imagine what her mother would say once she found out that her daughter-in-law was planning to intentionally bypass the labour ward.
    But she also knew (and hoped) that any criticism Betty might level at Kim would simply roll off her. She was possibly the only woman Cara knew who truly didn’t care a fig about what people thought about her and, not for the first time, she wished she had some of her sister-in-law’s chutzpah.
    Always calm and unruffled, Kim rarely seemed to have a problem keeping day-to-day life in check, and never once complained about having to juggle a busy career with being a wife and mother. She hadn’t even freaked out the time Lindsay used her satin Louboutins as a bathtime toy or when Olivia got chocolate ice cream on a white Gucci dress. Cara had been there at the time and Kim’s response was classic. ‘Bloody hell, that was the last of the ice cream.’
    ‘So how’s my brother taking the news?’ Cara asked. ‘Delighted I’m sure.’
    ‘Yep, and secretly hoping this time his swimmers will figure out how to make it a boy.’
    Cara laughed, knowing that the baby’s gender would be the last thing on her brother’s mind. Ben happened to be just as laid-back as his carefree, sophisticated wife. ‘Nah really, he’s over the moon, and like I said, we weren’t trying or anything. But what the hell, what’s one more? The more the merrier, and of course I’m not getting any younger either, so this is the last chance to produce a Clancy heir.’
    ‘Well congratulations again, I’m so thrilled for you all, and I can’t wait to meet my next niece or nephew in when . . . October?’ Cara asked, trying to mentally calculate Kim’s due date.
    ‘Mid-November actually and thanks, but enough about us, what’s happening with you?’
    ‘Oh, just up to my eyeballs with work. Feeling a little behind, truth be told, but it’s OK. Everything is good, nothing to complain about.’
    ‘And how’s the lovely Shane?’ Kim smiled as they reached a nearby Eddie Rockets burger restaurant. The two women went inside, taking a seat at the counter with the lunch crowd.
    ‘The same.’ Cara smiled. She wasn’t going to bring anything up about the night before, especially since there was nothing to worry about, but it was almost as if Kim could read her thoughts.
    ‘What’s that look for?’ she asked, shrewdly narrowing her eyes. ‘What’s up?’
    ‘Oh nothing bad,’ Cara assured her. ‘It’s just . . . well, we had an interesting conversation this morning – about marriage.’ She couldn’t keep the smile from her face.
    ‘Really? Tell me more. Although, with the way that you two go on, I would have thought that was decided a long time ago.’
    Cara grabbed a menu and looked it over briefly before deciding to make it easy and just order whatever Kim was getting. The waitress behind the counter took a small pad and pencil from her apron.
    ‘You ladies ready?’ she asked.
    Kim raised her eyebrows. ‘Yep. I think I’ll have the house burger, medium, with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, jalapeños, mustard, ketchup and mayo. And then a side of cheese fries with some bacon. With extra cheese. And a large Coke.’ She looked up at the waitress and smiled. The girl raised her eyebrows, probably wondering where the hell Kim was going to fit it all. Then she turned to Cara. ‘And yourself?’
    ‘Ah, I think I’ll just have the burger and a Coke. We can share the fries.’
    ‘No we cannot,’ Kim said quickly. She smiled at the waitress. ‘Two portions please.’
    The waitress took their menus and walked away to get the drinks. Cara laughed, turning to Kim. ‘You know she hates your guts don’t you? She’s probably thinking “skinny bitch”.’
    Her sister-in-law waved a hand. ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll come