He opened his car door just as the woman was wandering past, making a show of trying to avoid her children and using the ‘excuse me’ as a way to start a conversation.

‘Pauline, for goodness’ sake, would ye get out o’ the man’s way, girl!’ the woman chided.

‘Aw, don’t worry yerself,’ he replied good-naturedly. ‘I’ve two myself. They threatened to start screaming if I didn’t make sure we had their favourite breakfast cereal for tomorrow morning.’ He nodded ruefully at the bag of shopping for good measure. ‘Me and the wife only moved in a few weeks ago. Takes a while to get to know a place, doesn’t it?’

‘That it does,’ she replied. ‘Where’ve you come from?’

He fell into step next to her, keeping his pace slow to match the pram, smiling down at the children.

‘Fraserburgh,’ he said. ‘How old’s your wee one? I wish mine would sleep so peacefully. I don’t think we’ve had a break from the screaming since the little love arrived in the world.’

‘Three months, and take it from me, he’s just having a good ten minutes. When he wakes up hungry, you’d be able to hear him even if you still lived in Fraserburgh!’

The Crow laughed appreciatively, showing sharp teeth to the children, who were staring at the curious man walking so close to their mother. The boy moved forwards, taking a place at his mother’s side, staring at each adult in turn. Didn’t every boy get jealous when another male got their mother’s attention? Good lad, The Crow decided. Protect what’s yours. Just don’t get in my way.

Continuing down the road, ever closer to the flats, she began fumbling in her handbag as she walked.

‘I’m surprised I haven’t bumped into you before,’ he said. ‘Usually you get to know the pram brigade before anyone else. It’s kind of reassuring to know other people are going through all the same stages as you. Which floor do you live on?’

‘Second,’ she said. ‘Damn, I can never find my keys in this bag.’

‘Here, let me push the pram for you a second,’ he offered.

‘I’ll do it,’ the boy said, pushing forwards and grabbing at the handle.

The Crow got there just ahead of him.

‘Naw, you’re all right,’ he laughed. ‘I’ve clocked up enough hours behind a pram to be a safe driver for your wee baby here.’

The woman laughed, pulling out her purse and the baby’s dummy.

‘Don’t fuss,’ she told the boy. ‘I’ll just be a sec.’