Maggie followed her into the kitchen. Her hands were covered in dried paint spots, as per usual. She dismissed Sylvia’s apology with a wave. ‘Don’t be silly. You could hardly help it! But you must come and see it when you’re able. The new theatre is amazing, you’d love it. Just tell me when and I’ll babysit.’

‘I’d love that,’ Sylvia said. ‘I need to see your sets – I bet they’re fantastic.’

‘The Guardian actually mentioned them in their review!’ Maggie beamed. ‘I mean, not me personally of course, I’m only an assistant, but I was excited anyway.’

‘Oh Maggie, that’s brilliant. And one day they will mention your name, I know it. You are going places.’

She shrugged. ‘Maybe. Anyway, it’s a good start. And now the show’s opened I have more time on my hands – until we gear up for the next one. So I thought I’d take the opportunity to nip out and visit my favourite new mum and her beautiful bub.’

Sylvia smiled as she poured water into a teapot. ‘We want to ask you something, Jim and I.’ She carried the tea into the sitting room and they sat down on the sofa, the baby’s Moses basket at their feet. ‘Will you be Jessica’s godmother?’

Maggie put her hands to her mouth. ‘Oh Sylvia, I would love to be! I would be utterly honoured.’ She drew back, and Sylvia saw her eyes were shining. ‘Really, I’m touched. Gosh, me, a godmother. It’s the most important job I’ve ever had, Syl.’

‘You’ll be great at it. Everyone needs a fun godmother to lead them astray when they decide they hate their parents.’

Maggie laughed. ‘And that’s me? The eccentric faux aunty?’ She nodded, resolved. ‘I think I can live up to that stereotype. All I need to do is introduce a teenage Jessica to some of the people at the theatre and I’ll obtain instant legendary status.’

‘You’ll have to stay there a while then.’

She shrugged. ‘It’s the National Theatre, darling! I’ve got the job I always wanted. I’m not going anywhere for a long while, I can tell you that. They’ll probably have to throw me out when I’m so ancient I can’t paint straight anymore.’

Jessica gave a little gurgle in her sleep and Maggie gasped, putting her hands to her mouth. ‘Oh just look at her, she’s so delicious I could eat her up! How have you and Jim produced such an amazingly beautiful baby?’

‘Oh, thanks very much!’ Sylvia said, a mock hurt expression on her face.

‘You know I don’t mean it like that. I just can’t fathom how anyone can create such a perfect thing!’