‘It would mean a lot to Erik if you helped Dag,’ she says softly. ‘No one’s asking you to give up your time. It’s just the gesture.’

A short smile, no eye contact. ‘Try to get some rest.’

She returns to the playroom where Gaia is drawing at her desk.

‘I wrote you a letter, Mumma,’ Gaia says, holding a piece of paper aloft. ‘Would you like me to read it to you?’

‘Oh yes, darling. Please do.’ Aurelia settles back slowly into the nursing chair while unbuttoning her shirt. No sooner has she unclipped her bra strap than Coco has lurched forward and clamped herself to the breast, suckling hungrily. Aurelia’s toes curl and she closes her eyes tightly against the pain, which quickly subsides.

Gaia stands in front of her, her posture straight, the letter held with both hands like an epistle.

‘Dear Mumma,’ she reads. ‘I love when you spend time with me and I would like a pony, please. Can you send Coco back now as she is very noisy. Love, Gaia. Kiss, kiss, hug.’

Aurelia grins. ‘That’s a lovely letter,’ she says, puckering her lips for a kiss, which Gaia offers willingly. Aurelia cups Gaia’s cheek fondly. ‘I love spending time with you too. Though I think Daddy would object if we got a pony.’

‘What about the part about Coco?’

‘You want me to send Coco back?’ She gives a chuckle and looks down at her, smoothing the soft striations of downy blonde on her little head. ‘Oh, I think we should keep her. Don’t you?’

‘No, I don’t,’ Gaia says in earnest. ‘We need to send her back.’

‘Oh. Why?’ Aurelia says, a little shocked by this development. Gaia had been very keen on her role as Big Sister all throughout the pregnancy. Even so, Aurelia had been mindful to buy children’s picture books about the adjustments required by a new baby, countering jealousy and so on. She thought she’d sliced up her waking hours – of which there are more than she can feasibly cope with – into neat proportions, ensuring Gaia got all the attention she needed. This letter, however, suggests Aurelia has got the balance wrong somewhere along the line.

‘She’s too small,’ Gaia says. ‘And she’s too noisy.’

‘I see,’ Aurelia says. ‘You’ve certainly got a point there.’

Gaia nods and looks fretfully at Coco, reaching out to stroke her head. ‘I mean, she is quite cute, even though she’s bald. And she wakes a lot during the night, doesn’t she, Mumma?’

‘She does,’ Aurelia says.

‘And that makes you very tired.’

Aurelia stifles a yawn with the back of her hand. ‘Yes.’

‘And she’s boring. The other day I showed her my Peppa Pig toys and … well, guess what?’

‘What?’

‘She didn’t even look at them. She’s got no interest in toys whatsoever.’