I had waited for twenty minutes before creeping into Luis’s room. He’d been flat out on his back, snoring. I switched off the alarm he had set. Hopefully his fever would keep him asleep for hours. It had been a struggle to slide Adam from his bed onto a trolley and from the trolley onto the table but love, the thought of being with Adam once more, had given me strength.

I hold Adam’s hand. Praying I have fixed everything up properly.

I must have done because suddenly I am falling. Dizzy. Disorientated.

Scared and confused, until…

A baby cries.

It has worked.

‘Your turn,’ Adam mumbles, nudging me in the ribs with his elbow. I sit up, ecstatic. Eager to take this turn, every turn. My heart bursting with happiness.

It has worked.

By the dim nightlight plugged in under the window, I see the outline of a Moses basket. Inside it, a small face screwed up with rage, damp curls plastered to a forehead, tiny hands fisted, is a baby.

My baby.

The room starts to spin and at first I am terrified I’m going to find myself back in the Institute. I steady myself, one hand resting on the wall, realizing I’m not going anywhere. I am, however, completely swamped with a rush of new emotions.

‘Hello, you,’ I whisper. I don’t yet know whether I’m mum to a boy or a girl, but a pure, unfiltered love sweeps through me, snatching my breath. A balance of tenderness and strength. A sudden knowing that I would lay down my life to protect theirs. It’s incredible that I feel all of this and more within seconds of becoming a mum.

A mum!

Then, another sound. The bark of a dog. My eyes are drawn to another wicker basket, this time by the door. A golden puppy clambers out with huge floppy ears and a wagging tail.

I scoop my child into my chest as Adam says, ‘Shush, Dug. It’s just Harry, hungry again.’

Harry!

Adam clicks on the lamp. His eyes are shadowed with black circles. He yawns as Dug dances around the bed, looking longingly at the door. ‘Want to go out, do you, boy? We might as well have a cuppa, now we’re all up?’

‘Well, you thought it was a good idea getting a dog.’ I try to keep my tone light but I can hear the wobble in my voice. It’s a lot to take in.

‘Yeah, well, we could hardly give him back when he was a baby gift from Josh. Anyway, you know all the books said as long as baby is here first, Dug will know he’s not in charge.’ Adam sighs as the puppy happily chews Adam’s slipper. ‘Who am I kidding? He’s totally in charge.’

‘I can go downstairs, so you can sleep?’ I offer, jigging up and down while Harry continues to cry.