The man stood and looked at her. He was holding a box of nappies. Pampers.

‘Better to keep these down here. Don’t want people in the house asking why I have them.’

So he had people in the house. She had assumed he never had guests. She wondered, Who would want to visit him? Who were his friends? Did he have an active social life? Host the local bridge club? But if people were there, maybe they would hear Seb crying and investigate.

It was a stupid idea. He would have thought of it. The basement would be soundproofed, she could be sure of that.

He pointed at Seb.

‘How is it?’

‘It’s a he, and he’s fine.’

‘Good.’ The man looked at her. ‘And you?’

‘Like you care.’

‘Of course I care. You know I do. That’s why you’re here. Because I care. Because you need to be safe.’

Maggie looked away. They’d had this conversation before. She didn’t need to have it again.

‘Are you hungry?’

She nodded.

‘I’ll bring food. What do you want?’

‘Anything. Something simple. And water. A lot. I’m thirsty.’

‘Anything else. Are you … are you in pain?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’ll bring some ibuprofen.’

Maggie looked at Seb. ‘Don’t you want to know his name?’

The man looked at her, his head tilted. He looked puzzled. ‘No. Why would I want to know that?’

‘I thought you might.’

‘Well I don’t. Call it whatever you want.’

And then he left.

5

She cradled her baby and kissed his soft lips. She watched his eyelids twitch as he dreamed. She couldn’t believe she was a mother. There was joy, yes, unbridled joy, but also sadness. Sadness for him at where he was. For the moment, it didn’t matter – this would be the perfect place for him. He would have everything he needed. Food, warmth, his mum. It was only as he grew older that he would really miss out. He wouldn’t know what he was missing, not first hand, but Maggie would tell him. She would explain about playing football with your friends and swimming in rivers and lakes and gazing at the stars, so that when they got out he was as prepared as possible for the world he would find.

That would be her mission from now on: to get her son ready for the day they left. She would teach him to read and write and do maths. She would explain about kindness and compassion and love. She would tell him about his grandparents and uncle and all the other people who would be there for him when the time came.

That would be her focus. It would give meaning and purpose to her life. It would make everything worthwhile. And it would not be wasted, because they would get out.