‘Oh, I almost forgot,’ Art says. ‘We must make a plan to give you back your cups and saucers.’

I frown.

‘So adorbs!’ says Suzy.

They both look at me, like I am an enchanting dog. ‘Jenny used to throw these wonderful parties.’

‘You said,’ says Suzy, still smiling.

I shrug. ‘It was just some mulled wine and hot punch. Look, I really don’t want them back. Just give them back to charity.’

Art opens his mouth to speak but then a little girl runs up to us. I look at her, this lost child. She stares at Suzy. ‘Mummy, I need the toilet.’

Suzy reaches for her bag. I look back to the little girl, and see she has the same haircut, the same face.

‘You can go,’ says Suzy. ‘Just check in with me straight after, okay?’

I stare, perplexed. The little girl runs off.

‘Kids,’ says Suzy.

I stare. ‘Yes,’ I say, ‘they are.’

My mother says, ‘Well, how nice this has been! See you soon!’

I do not move. I keep staring at Suzy.

‘I know,’ Suzy says, ‘people are always surprised at my … situation. I do try and hide it mostly. Motherhood doesn’t define me. I mean, I’m glad I’ve done the procreation thing, but it’s not really how I want to be seen.’

‘Mm.’

‘And Art is so great with her. It was her birthday last week and he bought her a stack of presents. He dotes on her. He’s a natural. He makes everyone feel seen and valued. Are you okay, Jenny?’

‘Yeah I just have to nip out.’

I run fast through the gallery – and outside, I puke, heartily. It’s mostly bile. Slick fluoro-yellow. Nice clean edges. Rope-like, almost. Rapunzel, Rapunzel … Ten seconds or so of silken unspooling, culminating in a single dry retch, unproductive.

As I turn around, wiping my mouth, I see my mother and Art waiting by the gallery door. I point at him. It is not dignified to have a row outside an art gallery at 7 p.m., but here we are and believe me I am going to go for it.

I shout: ‘You know, Art, when you said, “Fuck the establishment” I never thought you meant literally.’

He blinks at me. His fuck-you blink. Some people have a power stare but Art has a power blink.

I cross the street. Suzy appears. With child. I move towards them. ‘I know you want me to give this my blessing, so that is what I am going to do,’ I say. ‘I’m going to be the bigger person here. You have my blessing.’

‘We don’t need your blessing,’ she says. She looks at Art. Yep. Just like you said. Crazy.