Alice’s hands are clutching the top rail of her pale pink cot. She is standing on one foot. The other foot is beside her hands, as if she is planning to climb out. I realise now that the extra-paleness of her skin is from the anaemia. There is a tear, still perfectly formed, below her dual-coloured eye. When she puts her leg down on the mattress and lifts her arms, it’s all I can do to stop myself from stepping forwards. Those arms are for Eliza, not me.

‘Hello, funny girl.’ Eliza picks Alice up. The white forelock is gathered into its usual ponytail-spout. ‘Did you wake up grumpy?’ Alice nods once. ‘Do you feel better now?’ Alice nods again. ‘Do you want to say hello to Helen?’ Alice hides her head against Eliza’s chest, peeps at me, then lets out a squeal of laughter.

Eliza looks at the open door of the bathroom, which is more white marble, from floor to ceiling. She turns to me. ‘Would you mind taking her for a minute? I’ll be quick.’

‘Of course. If she’s happy.’

‘Little limpet.’ Eliza peels Alice away and plonks her in my arms. ‘She loves you. She never goes to anyone.’

Alice is so warm, and so light, and slightly damp after her nap. She smells of soap and warm bread. She smells the way my baby would smell. ‘Hello, mermaid.’ I sink into a rocking chair and settle her on my lap.

Alice puts a hand on my face, caresses it with her fat fingers. ‘Tear,’ she says, touching my cheek. ‘Tear,’ she says again, proud of herself.

I blink several times, very hard, and swipe at my eyes with a sleeve before the bathroom door opens and Eliza emerges.

‘Tear,’ Alice says again.

Eliza looks puzzled.

‘This has been so lovely, Eliza.’ I tickle Alice beneath the chin and she giggles. ‘Thank you for having me. I wish I could stay longer, but I’m working this afternoon.’

‘Thank you for the book. You must come back soon. Or meet me and Alice in the park again. Won’t you?’

‘Of course.’ Alice is playing with my hair.

‘We can do it when Zac’s next away.’

‘Whatever works best for you.’

Eliza lets out a little gasp and visibly jumps at the sound of the door opening downstairs. Then, there is a voice. ‘Eliza?’ It is a voice I haven’t heard in two years, and hoped never to hear again.

Eliza’s face has drained of colour. I can feel that mine has too. If I weren’t sitting, I might fall. She shouts down to him, ‘Up in Alice’s room.’

Alice climbs off me. She is practically dancing. ‘Daddy!’ She is laughing and smiling. ‘Want Daddy.’