‘No problem.’ Tiff squished Noah’s cheeks with one hand. ‘He was an angel. Well, pretty much.’

‘But you’re glad to give him back?’ Louisa raised her eyebrows. That’s usually what people said about babies when they handed them back to their owners.

‘No, actually. I really did enjoy having him – we’ve had fun. I can see how you don’t get anything else done, like ever, though. A right little time-waster, isn’t he?’ Tiff walked on in to the lounge and sat on the edge of the sofa. She was obviously staying then. Louisa assumed she’d drop Noah and go. Louisa followed her in.

‘What did you do all day?’ she asked, laying Noah on his activity mat in the centre of the room, then kneeling beside him.

Tiff’s initial cheery expression altered, became serious. ‘We went to the health centre first thing …’

‘Oh no, I’m sorry. You didn’t say you had an appointment. I wouldn’t have agreed to you having him if you’d said.’

‘Well, no, it was fine. It wasn’t for me. It was for Noah.’

Louisa’s brow creased. ‘He didn’t have one either.’

‘No. Not an appointment as such. More of a drop-in. For him to be weighed.’ Tiff didn’t make eye contact when she spoke the words, looking down at her lap instead. ‘Brian said today was the weekly weigh-ins.’ She carried on speaking before Louisa could interject. ‘Hah – it’s the first time I’ve ever been to a weigh-in where people didn’t feel the need to eat Chinese and drink wine afterwards!’ Tiff gave a forced laugh as she finally made eye contact. ‘Don’t be mad. Brian thought it would be one less thing for you to worry about. And you know, because of the mix-ups with feeds, he wanted to check Noah was gaining weight. And he is. Not much, but it isn’t a loss. Sandy seemed happy enough anyway.’ Tiff stopped talking, and began taking some slow, deep breaths. She knew she’d crossed a line.

Louisa fought to keep herself calm. Going behind her back, taking her baby to the clinic without telling her. Tiff and Brian in cahoots about it. Sandy hadn’t bothered to return Louisa’s call, yet she’d seen her baby? Why would she do that? Why would they all do this to her?

‘I could’ve taken him myself, Tiff. I’m fully capable,’ she said, her words measured.

‘But you had the appeal today, so you had more important things—’

‘Nothing is more important to me than my family.’ Louisa glared at her friend, her cheeks hot with anger.

‘I’m sorry. I thought I was doing you a favour.’