June 15th 2020

Darling Paloma,

You may know the news by now, but your due date is delayed by a week. Everything was planned for this coming Friday, but the doctor has thought it better that you stay where you are to help build up your lungs and help avoid the chance of jaundice. Whatever you’re told in the future it had nothing to do with the date clashing with the return of the Premier League season.

The slightly bad news is because of COVID, all I can do is be in the theatre when you make your appearance but can’t follow you and your mum afterwards into your room. So for the first three days of your life, you will be spending it alone with your mum. The next time I will see you is when I pick you up from the hospital. Even then, I will have to wait outside on those famous steps to kiss you again. As I have said before, these are strange times.

I didn’t go in for the scan last week. The obstetrician and I tend to talk too much about football rather than focus on you. That’s not totally true, but true enough for me to advise your mum that it was better for her to go in alone.

Your mum came out a little disappointed. She so wants to hold you in her arms. But we know it is the best for you, and so we should celebrate the decision rather than anything else.

Anyway, the date is now set for next Thursday unless of course, you decide to arrive early.

With love,

Dad