"Things aren't the same for the second time, Doctor," Mrs.Asha told Doctor Max and Mr.Asha as she lay comparatively relaxed in the lithotomy position in the clinical investigation room. "This time, I don't mind one little bit."

In the adjoining preparation room, Kara unscrewed the top of a torpedo-shaped metal canister. Out rushed a cloud of curling steam, and from amidst the wisps, she extracted a thin phial containing Donor X sperm. This she carefully mixed with Mr.Asha's sperm and filled the transfer catheter.

When she stepped back into the clinical investigation room, Doctor Max was sitting on a stool beside the patient. Briefly, his eyes met Kara's, their expression...