Maddy’s head clouds over. She steps back and leans against the front door, her eyes half closed. Max is standing near, watching her. Why doesn’t he speak? She longs to hold her baby, smell the warmth of his clean skin, hear his snuffling breathing sounds.

Alison looks up as though it’s the first time she’s noticed anyone else there. She stands, jigging Sam up and down on her hip, her face red and puffy. ‘What’s she doing here?’

‘Come on, Maddy, let’s go.’ Max touches her shoulder.

‘You know her?’ Alison is incredulous.

‘Look, this is all a horrible mistake,’ Max says.

‘What do you mean?’

‘She’s not well.’

‘Did she take Charlie?’

Their voices warp in Maddy’s head. She sways like a repelling magnet.

‘He’s my baby!’ Maddy screams and lurches forward, but Max grabs her arms.

The rain stops as suddenly as it started. A door slams at the back of the house.

‘What the fuck is going on?’ A man stomps into the hall, wearing combat trousers, Doc Martens, and a tiger tattoo on his forearm.

‘What’s he doing here?’ Max yells.

‘She took my baby!’ Alison points at her.

‘Did she now.’ The man flares his nostrils.

‘What have I ever done to deserve this?’ Alison yells at Max.

Maddy can’t look at the scarlet blotches on Alison’s face, the blood pumping through the veins in her neck.

The man muscles towards her.

‘Max!’ Maddy cries out. Max steps between them so he’s face to face with the man.

‘What did she call you?’ Alison asks.

‘Get out of my way,’ the man snarls at Max.

‘Give my baby back,’ Maddy cries out.

Max turns to Maddy and tips up her chin so she has to look in his eyes. If only she could hate him.

‘This isn’t your baby,’ he says gently. ‘Alison’s baby has a birthmark on his back.’

‘He’s mine,’ Maddy whimpers and reaches out for Sam.

‘Get her away from me!’ Alison moves backwards clutching the baby to her chest. ‘I remember you.’ She jigs him up and down, pointing at Maddy. ‘It was you in the hospital, wasn’t it?’

‘Will you shut up for one minute?’ Max yells.

‘Watch it,’ the man says.

‘Was it you coming into the house too?’ Alison asks.

‘I’m sorry.’ Maddy’s voice is barely audible.

‘Don’t you think I deserve an explanation?’ Alison cries. ‘I’ve been out of my mind and she stands there saying nothing.’

‘What is wrong with her?’ The man pulls a face.

‘Maddy, are you okay?’ Max touches her forehead.

‘Why doesn’t she speak?’

Every sound is muffled, as though her ears are blocked with water. A wave of exhaustion crashes over her, dragging her under. Her eyes want to close but she forces them open.

‘So, are you going to tell me how you know her?’ Alison asks.