Linda laughed. ‘Thanks for the warning! To be honest, I haven’t had time to meet anyone. Luke’s nanny Lena picks him up and drops him off most days.’

‘Yes, I think I’ve seen her a few times – she looks nice.’

‘She’s brilliant,’ said Linda. ‘I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her during the week!’

‘Well, she can handle the school gate mums then!’ Claire laughed.

‘Yeah, Lena doesn’t take crap from anyone – especially Luke! I give her full credit for Luke’s behaviour and manners.’

‘You’ve both done a great job,’ said Claire, feeling, for the first time, Linda needed some reassurance. ‘He’s a lovely little boy. Jamie talks about him all the time.’

‘Thanks – and likewise. It’s not easy is it, this parenting thing.’

‘No, it’s not and the worst thing is nobody warns you!’

‘Well, cheers to us,’ said Linda, raising her coffee cup in a mock toast.

‘Absolutely,’ joined Claire.

*

It was several hours later when Claire left Linda’s. Breakfast had turned into lunch and the two women had chatted pretty much non-stop. Claire usually disliked playdates. Women forced to make conversation when the only thing they had in common was their offspring.

But Linda seemed different. She was proud of her career ambition and yes, Claire could see that her new friend felt guilty occasionally but ultimately, Linda knew that being a working mum was the right decision for her. Unlike Claire, there was no doubt in Linda’s mind and Claire could see it sent a confident message to her son. It still amazed Claire just how much young children picked up in terms of their parents’ feelings. She knew Jamie could sense immediately if she was stressed or feeling impatient. She’d also seen him play up occasionally if he saw her going to work and he knew exactly how to manipulate her. It worked every time.

As she walked home hand in hand with Jamie, Claire vowed to be more confident in her decision to go back to work, both with her children and her family. Chris hadn’t stuck to his promise of trying to be home earlier or helping out a bit more. And while Lucy was there to do it all, she would have preferred if Chris had made more of an effort. It was important for the boys to have their father around more. If anything, he seemed to be working later and travelling even more since she went back to work. Probably because he knew Lucy was there, thought Claire.