The gesture seemed to help the child understand that someone had actually accepted the responsibility.

The first evening was quieter than Clara expected.

She had imagined happiness filling every room.

There was happiness.

There was also a baby who needed settling, another who became restless when the first stopped, a child who did not want the bedroom door closed, and a mother who needed to sit down sooner than she liked.

The support arrangements made room for that ordinary difficulty.

Help came when it was scheduled.