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he took it back,’ Pip said. ‘I suggested a mobile phone – but you can imagine what he said.’
    ‘Talking of birthdays, I wonder what we'll do for his,’ Cat said brightly. ‘Can you believe he'll be seventy-five this spring?’
    ‘he'll either throw a huge party – or go on a retreat,’ Pip said. ‘In which case we'll make him a surprise party.’
    ‘Yes!’ said Cat. She gazed at the sleeping baby nustled up to Fen in a papoose. ‘Cosima is so beautiful,’ she said dreamily, watching Fen's fingers tap out a mother's instinctive, gentle rhythm against the baby's back. Absent-mindedly, Cat rolled her thumb against her wedding ring. ‘Still no plans to wed then, Fen?’ She felt Pip glance at her.
    Fen balked. ‘What an odd thing to say.’
    ‘Sorry – I just mean, you know, since you now have a baby.’
    ‘Shock, horror, an illegitimate child? Is that what You're implying?’ Fen said.
    ‘Blimey Fen, I was only teasing,’ Cat said, because she had been. She glanced back at Pip who, ever the diplomat, decided it was a good idea to change the subject.
    ‘I'm hungry,’ said Pip.
    ‘I'm hungry now too,’ said Fen. ‘Do you think Django's made a late lunch for us?’
    ‘Followed almost immediately by an enormous tea with just time enough to burp before a Spread for supper?’ Cat laughed.
    ‘I'll go and buy sandwiches for us,’ said Pip.
    ‘And salt-and-vinegar crisps!’ Cat called after her. Fen smiled at her. Cat turned her gaze out to the English countryside zipping by outside the train. So different to Colorado, where she had remained in awe of her surroundings. Here, the scale was comfortingly familiar, if a little tame by comparison, the colours darker, damper.
    ‘Sorry about before,’ Fen said. ‘I've been horribly snappish, lately. I hate it and I can't help it. I'm just so tired. And – well – things at home have been a little strained.’
    Cat watched Fen's gaze drop. She'd been shocked by the physical change in Fen, the wan complexion, the dark eyes, puffiness here and a general lankness there. Objectively, Fen had always been the true beauty of the three of them; her features and complexion adding refinement where Pip was just pretty, where Cat was simply cute. Today, though, Cat noticed a certain pallor now veiling this.
    ‘Is it Matt?’ Cat broached, though She'd intended to seek details from Pip later.
    ‘I don't know, Cat,’ Fen said, a tear clouding one eye, ‘but I think it might be me. My love for my baby is so primal and complete that sometimes I feel like running away so It's just the two of us.’
    ‘Don't do that,’ Cat said and she reached across the melamine for her sister's wrist, ‘please don't do that. I've just come thousands of miles to be back in my family fold. I want Cosima to get to know her Auntie Cat. And when I am pregnant, I'll need you within arm's reach to tell me how to do it all properly.’
    Fen smiled. ‘I'll need bloody long arms to stretch to Clapham from East Finchley,’ she said.
    ‘Clapham is not, I repeat not , permanent,’ Cat said. ‘You know I've always had a thing for Tufnell Park.’
    ‘It's good to have you home,’ Fen said, ‘but it'll be even better to have you on the doorstep.’
    Pip returned. ‘Cardboard bread with rubber cheese in between,’ she announced. ‘Don't anyone tell Django what we're about to eat.’
    Peeping through the window, it is a joy for Django to behold his three precious girls spill out of the taxi. Momentarily, he turns away from the sight and offers a prayer of sincere thanks to all the gods and spirits who have ever interested him at any stage during his life. He can hear their laughter and their excited chatter. Will you look at Cosima – how she has grown in the last month. How naturally Fen has the baby against her. See the sun spin gold through Pip's hair. And Cat, that can't be Cat! Cat was the little girl with the jaunty pony-tail. Who is this beautiful woman? And what's with the red