‘How old? Who? What? Why?’ Mimi asked.

‘It’s my neighbour, and she’s only six.’

‘Oh, the one you’ve mentioned before. With the bad mum?’ Mimi topped up her glass of wine and offered the bottle to Andrea and Jill, who both shook their heads.

‘Yeah, that’s her,’ said Andrea. ‘Tony and I were . . . discussing it after I went around there the other night to check on her. But you agree, right? It’s not normal to leave a six-year-old alone in an apartment, is it?’

Mimi’s mouth twitched. It was clear from Andrea’s tone that Tony didn’t agree. Should she get involved? Then again, she knew whose side she was on for this. Screw it. ‘Definitely not normal,’ Mimi said firmly. ‘Six is very young. I mean, maybe for five minutes while you duck downstairs because it’s a secure building, but apart from that, no, she shouldn’t be left alone.’ She paused. ‘I take it Tony has a different opinion?’

‘Sorry,’ said Jill, holding up a hand. ‘But I don’t think I’ve heard the start of this story. There’s a little girl in your building?’

‘Oh, sorry, Jill, I thought I’d mentioned Violet to both of you last time we caught up, but I must have only told Mimi. Yes, she lives down the hall from us and the mother seems to neglect her a lot.’

‘That’s awful,’ said Jill.

Andrea nodded. ‘I think it’s because she’s a drug addict.’

‘You haven’t mentioned that before,’ said Mimi.

‘I wasn’t sure at first. I used to think she was just a bit of a party animal. But one of the times I went over to check on Violet, Heather was passed out on the floor and there was powder on the coffee table. The worst part is, she’d told Violet it was sherbet, but that it was Mummy’s special treat so she couldn’t share. Imagine if Violet had decided to try some while Heather was sleeping it off?’

‘Jesus,’ said Mimi. ‘And that wasn’t a one-off, obviously, if you’re saying she’s an addict?’

‘Well, I mean, I don’t know if I’m exaggerating. But, no, it definitely wasn’t a one-off — I’ve seen her high in the elevator before. I don’t know how to classify an addict, but regardless, she definitely neglects Violet.’

‘And what does Tony say?’ Jill asked, reaching out to absentmindedly rock the pram even though the twins were still silent.

‘He thinks it’s not really any of our business.’

‘That makes it difficult,’ said Mimi. ‘I guess he thinks he doesn’t want to cause trouble. But if everyone turns a blind eye to this type of thing, then who’s there for the kid, right?’

Andrea rapped her fist on the table. ‘Exactly. So what am I meant to do?’