Well, Mrs Fairman, sometimes you get a gift, and this baby girl… is a gift. I just picked her up from her mother, who wanted her to find the best home as soon as possible… so I said why not? And I came straight here. She smiled and beamed widely with the whitest set of teeth I had ever seen.

Sumi had turned pale underneath her make-up and gestured for her to come in. The baby was asleep, she made no sound and when I asked to carry her, I could see immediately that she was of mixed heritage. Approximately a month old, healthy, with pink rosebud lips. A full head of black hair.

So, who is this baby? Where is she from? How did this happen? Sumi asked, trying to be nonchalant.

Ah, Mrs Fairman, like I said, this baby was with her mother for a month and then… she called me today to say that she could no longer take care of her… her milk was running out, she said that she wanted the baby to go to a nice home, so… I brought her here.

The woman spoke in low tones, in her sing-song manner and waved her arms effectively, like a seasoned saleswoman.

So, you mean I can take this baby? If I want her? Sumi delivered a shrill retort.

Yes, why not? I can leave her here for one night, see how you feel…?

The woman was clearly insistent. Sumi protested. One night? What? But…I have nothing here, no cot, no diapers…nothing, and my husband isn’t even around!

The baby started to cry and I could see that she had perfect fingers. She was warm in my hands. She felt lovely. A baby in my arms. My body softened. I wanted to melt into a sleep. My body swayed automatically, the way mothers do when they want to soothe their babies. I answered softly, not wanting to alarm the baby.

Sumi, I can get a few things from the supermarket, it’s not a problem.

But…

Here, come, come… take the baby. I walked towards Sumi, trying to reassure her.

The woman said: Mrs Fairman, by the way… the baby’s name is Samiya… starts with an S, just like yours. What a coincidence. Then, she chuckled.

Sumi, startled, turned to me, then back to the woman and asked: Oh, how do you spell that?

I interrupted. Sorry, what’s your name? I asked the woman with the white teeth.

Madam, my name is Mary. People call me Mother Mary… So nice to meet you. She held her hand out. I shook it and felt that it was sticky, like slime. She realised it when I wiped my hand on my pants.

Sorry, madam, very hot day today.

Sumi looked up at me and grinned. Oh my god, she’s so cute!

I could see that the baby had opened her eyes, they were wide and brown and clear. Mother Mary sat down on the couch and looked around, her toes digging into the fluffy carpet.