When I got home I was so grateful for Olivia being there. Douglas seemed to have nothing to give us. My mother called a few times, admired you in a professional sort of way, and made comments like, ‘I hope you’re not overfeeding her,’ but seemed unable to cope with being at a remove from you, so that she could not just take over. Her visits soon dwindled. But Olivia, for the first month, was as loving and helpful as I could ever have wished.

At that time her devotion to us was so warming. I needed someone to rely on and she was always there offering to hold you, there for me to talk to. She was a comfort, while Douglas was more absent than ever.

‘She’s an absolute darling,’ she’d say, rocking you on her lap, her eyes fixed on your face. I can see her now, her hair curling on her shoulders, her look of adoration which made me ache for her. Once I said to her, ‘Doesn’t it make you feel sad, seeing her and holding her?’

Without taking her eyes from your face, she said, ‘No, it’s marvellous. I could sit and hold her all day.’ She smiled, running her finger down your cheek. ‘That’d be heaven, wouldn’t it, little Anna?’ Then she looked up at me. ‘She’s ours, isn’t she?’

I should have taken note of the strange intensity of this, but I was happy then, feeling we shared you. She showed far more interest and feeling than Douglas, and I confided in her completely.

‘It’s so silly. Douglas is so jealous of the baby. He just can’t seem to adjust to it all. I feel so much for her and he just . . .’ My voice trailed off.

‘He does seem rather stiff with her,’ Livy said smoothly. She was busy now, knitting for me as we sat looking down the long garden, pansies flattening open in the sun. Now that I was a bit unsteady in myself and relying on her, she looked better, calm and secure.

She reached out one hand to jiggle the pram slightly. ‘Never mind, little angel Anna. You’ve got two people here who love you. There’s nothing to worry about. Oh Kate – can I just give her another cuddle?’

‘Leave her!’ I protested impatiently. ‘I’ve only just this minute got her to sleep.’

Olivia pouted. ‘All right. Better let her get her rest.’ She went back to her knitting, curling soft white wool round her fingers. After a moment she gave me a quizzical look, tilting her head. ‘Is everything all right with Douglas . . . otherwise, I mean?’

I knew what she was asking. ‘The doctor advised us that there should be no intercourse for at least six weeks. You’ll know that, of course. I think Douglas feels pushed out. He doesn’t like to see me feeding her. I know that’s not an especially unusual reaction, but it’s still hurtful.’ I found myself unexpectedly in tears.