She lifts Sam out of his seat and into the pram. He is due another feed in two hours. The shopping centre is busier than she anticipated for a Friday morning so close to Christmas. After the bank, she walks straight into the baby department at M&S. She doesn’t need anything in particular but she loves to be back in this baby world, browsing through tiny clothes, the cute slogans and soft materials. A heavily pregnant woman is choosing a Christmas outfit for a newborn. Her young skin is glowing, just like they say it should in all the magazines.

‘It’ll soon grow out of that size,’ Maddy tells her. ‘When are you due?’

The girl hesitates. ‘Any day, I’m overdue.’ She sighs and puts a snowball Babygro back on the rack.

‘Mine was early. Is it your first?’

‘Yes.’ Her forehead creases. She rubs the huge bump.

‘It’s such a special time. This is my third, and last, unfortunately.’ Suddenly her mother’s voice is back, clear as a bell. Look closer at her bump, you know what sex it is, like you knew you were having a boy. Maddy blinks and shakes her head, and there it is, she can clearly see the woman’s baby curled up inside her. It kicks out its legs and stretches an arm.

The woman gazes into the pram. ‘Ooh, it’s giving me a right kick about. I wonder if it’s a boy.’

Maddy nods. ‘You’re right – you’re having a boy.’

‘Really, can you tell?’

‘I have a special power to see right into your womb. And do you know, if you want something enough, you can get it. I always hoped for a boy too. I love my girls though, don’t get me wrong, but having a boy is special, isn’t it?’

‘How old are your daughters?’ The woman glances over her shoulder and edges backwards.

‘Emily is seven and Chloe was only five. She died three months ago.’

Her eyelashes flicker.