Millie had pushed Sylvie round the shops trying to buy extra food and had helped Hattie with the cooking. Pete opened a bottle of wine and gave the girls half a glass each as a taster. Millie knew he was in high good humour but put it down to the party spirit on Hattie’s last night. During most evenings while they ate, Sylvie dozed or kicked happily in her pram in the hallway but tonight the louder sounds of merriment made her howl to join them. It was Helen who picked her up and brought her to the table where she was passed round, wide-eyed and playful, smiling at them all. It was later than usual when they finished eating, and Millie then had to give Sylvie her last feed of the night. She carried her up to the nursery to do it and was surprised to find Pete was following her. She started by changing her napkin because Sylvie was usually half asleep when she’d had her feed. When she was ready to start she found Pete was standing at the door but making no move to go.
