Gabby could hear the pride in her mother’s voice and she swelled with pride herself. Seeing her mother with her little daughter made her wish that she had been like that with her once. Cynthia certainly seemed a happier person now though. In fact, Gabby had never seen her mother like this before. She was lighter in herself, almost like a normal person. She almost seemed to enjoy her daughter’s company, and it was no secret she couldn’t get enough of her granddaughter’s. Gabby knew her nana didn’t like it, but she couldn’t help herself – the pull of her mother was too strong. She had dreamt of having this kind of relationship with her for years. Daydreamed that they went shopping together for clothes, had lunch together, had fun together. Now they were finally doing those things, and it was all because of Cherie.

Cherie was gorgeous. She had a wonderful smile as well and, now she was crawling, she was becoming a little person – a little person who looked at her grandmother with love and happiness.

‘Come to me, my little angel.’ Cynthia picked the child up and carefully laid her on the changing table. As she expertly changed her nappy, she crooned away in her own particular brand of baby talk, before saying to Gabby, ‘Leave her here tonight and have a night off, love. Go and visit your mates, have a few hours to yourself – young mums need that.’

Gabby wasn’t sure.

‘Look, Gabs.’

Her mother had taken to calling her that again and she liked it, it made her feel she was finally a part of Cynthia’s life.

‘You can have a nice bath in peace, do your hair and, best of all, you can have a full night’s sleep. This little one is teething, and I haven’t got any plans tonight. You can pick her up tomorrow.’

It did sound tempting, she had to admit. Gabby looked around the spare room in her mother’s penthouse, which was kitted out like a movie star’s nursery, and she was awed by it. It was pale lemon and white, and it even had stencilling on the walls. It looked wonderful. A lot nicer than the bedroom the baby shared with her at her nana’s. She knew that Cherie would be OK here, but she still wasn’t sure about leaving her. Her nana would go mad if she left her overnight; she seemed to think Cynthia was up to no good. She wished they could see her and Cherie together – it was sweet to watch.