‘She’s hungry all the time,’ Ella said, gazing at Jessica anxiously. ‘I’ve been buying shed loads of SMA, really a lot, and nappies seem to disappear so fast. And then there’s the wipes, and I need more sheets for her cot, and another teething ring, and she should have toys to stimulate her development.’ She paused. ‘It’s all so bloody expensive. I’m going to have to compromise on something, but I don’t know what she can do without while she’s so little.’

Her attempt at prompting Jessica to hand over yet more cash was clumsy, to say the least. Nevertheless, reluctant to upset her friend, Jessica pulled out her purse and counted out five twenty-pound notes.

‘That should help, a little, at least for a few days,’ Ella said, pocketing the cash. ‘I try not to change her nappy too often, so as to economise, but she has to be fed. Now, I’d better put her back in her cot before she falls asleep on you.’

‘I don’t mind,’ Jessica replied, with a quick smile.

But Ella was already lifting the small bundle out of her arms.

‘Can’t I hold her for a bit longer?’ Jessica pleaded.

‘I need more money,’ Ella blurted out.

Frowning, Jessica took another two twenty-pound notes from her purse.

‘That’s all I’ve got,’ she said, a trifle sharply.

‘Thank you. Really, you have no idea what a difference it makes. Babies cost such a lot.’ She broke off as Jessica began to sob.

Pulling herself together with an effort, Jessica stood up. ‘I’d better be going, then. I’ll come back soon.’

‘Yes, come back, any time,’ Ella said, ‘but call first or I might be out. And don’t forget to bring more cash next time, will you? You know I hate to ask, but the baby needs toys to play with. I can’t be on hand to entertain her all the time, although God knows I do my best. And it won’t be long before she starts crawling and then she’ll need a playpen.’

Jessica sighed. ‘I’ll bring you a few things from home,’ she said. ‘Just on loan, until Daisy’s back with me.’

‘No, no,’ Ella replied, sounding annoyed. ‘No, please don’t bring me anything from your house. That would make it seem as though you don’t believe Daisy’s ever coming back home. That’s a terrible idea. You have to stay positive, Jessica. Just bring me more money, and I can get whatever I need.’

‘All right, but I can’t keep handing over great wads of cash. There’s a limit to what I can afford.’