THE WHOLE house had turned upside down. Mikael's flustered face ran down the stairs wiping his non-existent sweat. He called Janette repeatedly but the woman was busy stuffing a large bag with nutrient-filled goods. "That's too much, dear."

"When I was pregnant with your son, I use to eat twice a lot. What do you know?"

"Let's go." He fumbled with the phone in his hand. "How about we call your brother first? We should inform Jeffrey as well."

"No!" Janette spun. Her large earrings making a sound. "He's busy with that Howard. We should tell him the great news on the day of the wedding."

"Which is two weeks...