Up, unwilling out of sleep’s sensuous pit. Again, the cry, thin, tentative. Fourth time tonight? Fifth? Cosy-rosy dreams fade. Windows, still winter dark. Time? Late—were there streetlights?

Reach blindly for clock on table. Sleep-numb fingers touch but only push. Crash on floor. Shockproof? Hope so—hope so—Heavy eyelids flicker, warm waves drift towards slumber—

Again, the cry, louder!

So close, the warm, womanly, wifely mound of quilt, deep breathing. Through that, now demanding, noise? Sly female.

Blink back sleep, fully awake now. Unwillingly push back the covers. Gasp as cold air slaps on bare chest. Deep breathing mound does not stir. Her turn too. Above and beyond the call of duty. Stagger unsteadily on bed-weary legs towards the cot.

Crescendo of crying. All right, all right! Cries pluck at tired, strained nerves. One hand into cot, pats tiny infant back.

Other hand searches around squalling baby face. Sleep-warm, smooth skin, sticky maw of mouth. Hard, wet baby gums suck eagerly on groping fingers. Where the hell’s the soother? Got it. Impatiently introduce soother. Sweet silence. Sighing, back to bed.

Mound of fond motherhood breathes deeper. Her turn next. Definitely. Into cosy welcoming bed. Heavy eyelids close instantly. Just one sly, icy hand on warm sleeping back. Electric shock jerk. Chuckle becomes gasp as vicious wifely heel strikes leg calf.

Sinking now, deep into pillow, deeper, deeper. Somewhere a clock chimes. What was it? Two, three, four—that’s enough. Five—stop! Six- -God, it can’t be. Seven- -hell, it’s time to get up!