‘A teddy, how kind,’ Frankie said politely. ‘Well, we really should be going now, so—’

‘What do you think you’ll call him? Wait – is it a girl bear or a boy bear?’ asked Julia, who seemed determined to engage with Fergus. She put a finger to her lips in an affected, wondering sort of way. ‘Can you think of any cool names?’

Fergus lifted a shoulder in one of his doubtful shrugs, and Frankie could almost read the thoughts that were going around his head. I dunno. Why’s she asking me? She’s the one who got it. I don’t even like bears!

Okay, time to wrap this up, Frankie thought. ‘Maybe we should call him . . . Lunchtime! Because that’s what time it is. Shall we go home now?’

Fergus giggled, rescued by her ridiculousness. ‘Lunchtime isn’t a name,’ he scolded, leaning against her.

‘Oh no? How about Ham Sandwich? Or Strawberry Yogurt?’

‘No, Mumma! Those are silly names.’

Julia looked hurt, as if her present wasn’t being taken seriously. But then she put on her big fake smile again and held her arms wide. ‘How about a hug before you go? A cuddle? Do you want a cuddle?’

Fergus bit his lip and glanced at Frankie again. He was like this with Craig’s Aunty Lindsey sometimes, who was always wanting to pinch his cheeks and hug him and kiss him, as if he were some kind of pet. ‘You don’t have to, if you don’t want to,’ Frankie said, still with her arm around him. Her thighs were starting to ache from her crouched position, but she paid them no heed. She would crouch like this all day if she had to.

‘Come here and I’ll tell you a secret,’ Julia coaxed, with a funny smile on her face, making her eyes big and round. ‘Do you want to hear a secret?’

Uh-oh. Frankie did not want Julia telling Fergus any secrets. No, thank you. ‘Well, we’re off now,’ she said, rising and taking Fergus’s hand, before wheeling him sharply around. ‘Bye.’

‘Oh, but I think he wants to know the secret,’ Julia said, in an awful sing-songy voice, one that set Frankie’s teeth on edge. She was trotting up behind them, heels clacking against the path, the smell of her sickly perfume making Frankie want to gag. ‘Because it’s a very cool secret!’

‘Julia, just leave it,’ Frankie warned, without breaking stride. Her hand was becoming clammy where she was gripping on to Fergus and she found herself wishing she’d brought the buggy with her, so she could bundle him into it and run. ‘Another time maybe. Goodbye.’

‘Well, I’m going to tell him anyway,’ Julia said, all syrupy and sweet. ‘Hey, you’ll never guess what, Fergus.’ She gave a fake little laugh that made Frankie want to scream. ‘It’s ever so funny because . . . well, because I’m your real mummy!’