‘Exactly,’ Em agreed. ‘And there are millions of women who understand what you’re going through and sympathize. We do, for starters, and I bet everyone at toddler groups or wherever you go – they’ll have felt the same way too, even if they’ve slapped on a brave face for the day. No one’s going to judge you for finding it tough. It is tough.’

‘Your GP can help,’ Maggie put in. She looked at her hands for a moment, remembering the strain she had experienced being alone in the early years. ‘I felt pretty low myself when Amelia was tiny. I’m not sure if it was full-blown Post-Natal Depression or what, but my doctor was amazing. Even telling her about it made me feel better. More able to cope.’

‘Yes, and your husband should help, and all,’ Em agreed. ‘How come he’s not pulling his weight?’

‘He does – in his own way,’ Olivia replied, then wrinkled her nose. ‘But “his way”, admittedly, is having an amazing career and bringing home the bacon. He doesn’t really experience the day-to-day grind.’ She gave a sudden snort. ‘Mind you, he’s been doing that this week, at least. I’ve had a lot of messages asking how to cook shepherd’s pie so that the boys will actually eat it, and where the laundry powder is, and are the boys really allowed ice-cream every day . . . So I suppose he’ll have a better idea of what it’s been like for me, the last three years.’

‘Good,’ said Em. ‘And once you’re home again, hopefully he – and they – will appreciate you more for your absence too. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you sound like a rubbish mum at all, by the way. You cook your kids shepherd’s pie and wash their clothes and lay down rules about ice-cream . . . That all seems pretty good to me. Not a failure at all.’ She gave Olivia a last squeeze, then sat back down. ‘I’m sorry you’re going through this though. Really sorry. But there are people out there who can help you.’

Olivia dabbed at her eyes and gave them both a watery smile. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘I know running away isn’t the answer – your troubles just come with you, don’t they? – but it’s been good to have a break, even in these weird circumstances. Step out of my ordinary life and have some thinking space.’

‘Yes,’ said Maggie. ‘Thinking space is always a bonus.’

‘And hey,’ said Em, ‘a holiday without your family . . . I’m starting to think that might be the best kind of holiday of all. You might just be starting a trend here, Olivia.’