This is The Guardian.

Hi, it's Helen here. Today in Focus is taking a little Christmas break so that we can recharge

our batteries ready for 2026. And while we're off, we're replaying a few of our favourite episodes

of the year. And today is one that I still think about a lot because it really challenged

my assumptions on family, about friendship, about parenting and about platonic relationships.

And it also made me laugh a lot. I hope you enjoy it too.

Today, what happens when you have a baby with your best mate instead of a romantic partner?

Hi! It's a sunny day in Shrewsbury and a very cheery little girl with rosy cheeks and just a few front teeth is keen to see who's at the door.

Hello, he's this?

Hello, gorgeous girl.

She loves visitors.

Does she?

Yeah.

Hello.

She was just doing a poo though.

Oh really? Oh, really? This. Oh, man. She was just doing a poo though. Oh, really?

Yeah.

This is Nicholas Lawson, a journalist and writer, and her very sociable 11-month-old daughter.

Should we let them in?

Thanks for having us.

Oh, no worries.

Nicola recently went back to work, and Tom, the baby's dad, took over the shared parental leave.

...