‘Eventually we stopped and Mom put me back down. A little girl was standing behind her, smiling at me, so I waved. Mom turned to see who I was waving at. In the yard the little girl stood, red-faced from the sun, a small, stained white dress, covering her skinny body. Behind her there was a pram. I couldn’t see inside it, but I presumed it held a baby. Mom spoke to the girl but I can’t remember exactly what she said, something about her mother. The little girl said her mom was asleep inside. Then I heard the baby crying and before I knew it Mom was beside the pram pulling the shade over the baby. She stuck her head into the open door of the trailer before taking my hand and walking me back to the motel.

‘That night as I lay clutching the pillow I heard her crying in the bed beside me. I wanted to turn around and kiss her but I knew this was all my fault so I just lay there, haunted by her sobbing.

‘We stayed in the motel the following day until evening, when Mom packed our bags. I thought we were leaving but she told me she had an errand to run and to wait in the room until she got back.

‘I think I held my breath the whole time she was away. I’d never been on my own before. Then, after what seemed like forever, she pushed through the door, grabbed our bags and told me to get in the car. I did. I sat in the back seat, looked to my right and there you were. Lying on a blanket, wearing a little pink coat.

‘Mom drove out of the parking lot and down the road. The baby just lay there, her tiny legs kicking the air. I could hear Mom gasping for air as she drove along. I said nothing, then fell asleep.

‘The next thing I knew we were outside our house. Mom had driven through the night. It was still dark when she opened the car door and lifted you in her arms. I was completely confused and asked her who you were.

‘She didn’t answer until we were back in the house. She was bathing you by candlelight in the sink. I was eating cereal at the table. “We have a new Rebecca now,” she said. I just kept shoveling the cereal into my mouth. But I could sense the madness. After dressing you in some of Rebecca’s clothes, she put you in the crib. Then she gathered your clothes and threw them in the trash. Bert must have been watching, must have seen her do this, and took the coat out.