He had offered to take photos; he had an interest in photography and an expensive camera, and had been snapping away throughout the ceremony.

‘Sure,’ Matt said.

‘I’ll round them up. You go and stand by the fireplace.’

Matt walked over. By the time he reached the fireplace, the others were on their way.

‘Matt and Annie in the middle,’ Mike said. ‘Guy, you stand next to Annie and Miriam, and Tessa, you stand by Matt.’

Matt unclipped the baby carrier and took Norman out. He held him facing the camera. Mike took a few shots, then rotated the bezel of the lens and moved a few steps back. He took some more, then moved to the side.

‘How about one with Annabelle holding Norman? And then Miriam, Tessa and Guy?’

Matt passed Norman to Annabelle and Mike took more photos. Then Miriam and Tessa had their turn.

‘Only Guy left,’ Mike said. Guy held out his hands and Tessa handed Norman to him. He held him away from his body, his hands under Norman’s armpits.

‘Here,’ Matt said. ‘Put him in the crook of your elbow.’

Guy held Norman a little closer. He was stiff and awkward. ‘Not my strong suit,’ he said. ‘I like babies, but I don’t have much experience. It’s weird. You don’t know how to hold them.’

‘It comes easily,’ Matt said. ‘I had no idea before he was born, but you soon pick it up.’

‘You’re a natural,’ Guy said. ‘That’s obvious. You were made to be a dad. I could see that from the start.’ He paused, and looked over Matt’s shoulder. He gave him a warning glance. ‘Someone wants to say hi,’ he said, his forehead creased in a frown.

Matt turned to see what had caught his attention. At first he didn’t recognize her. She was very thin and her hair was short, but after a few seconds he realized who it was.

‘Lindsey,’ he said. ‘Hi.’

‘I wanted to come and say congratulations,’ she said. Her voice was slurred and her eyes were unfocused. It was obvious she was extremely drunk. Matt glanced at his watch. It was half past three in the afternoon.

‘Thank you,’ he said.

‘I’m so pleased for you,’ she said. The words were hard to make out. ‘I always knew you’d have a good life.’

‘Again, thanks,’ Matt said.

‘You got everything you wanted.’ She swayed as she looked at him. ‘Better off without me, weren’t you? You were right to get rid of me. I’m a fucking hot mess.’ Her voice rose at the end and more than a few heads turned to look.

Annabelle was standing with Miriam. She came over to Matt and put her hand on his back.

‘Hi,’ she said. ‘I’m Annabelle.’

‘I know who you are,’ Lindsey said. ‘And I want to say congratulations to you too.’