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Iwas about one-third of the way through the book. So, when Natalie threw herself on the floor screaming hysterically - and when two of her friends approached her and she screamed louder - and when the nursery nurse said kindly, 'That's enough now. Cheer up, and come and see what we're doing', to which Natalie shrieked 'No!' I knelt down on the floor beside her and said quietly and rather apprehensively, 'My goodness, you are very angry, and very sad too.' And then I waited.

Natalie stopped screaming, opened one eye and peered at me. 'I see a very sad girl,' I said. Natalie stayed still, lying on her tummy. A few moments passed. 'Your mummy has gone away and left you here,' I said, 'and you miss her so much.' Natalie got up on to her knees, wrapped her arms around me, and we sat, hugging. I said, 'Shall we write your mum a letter, telling her?' Natalie nodded. She fetched coloured paper and pens, and we discussed what Natalie wanted to say. I wrote: 'Dear Mummy, I am sad because you have left me at the nursery. I miss you. I want you to come back soon. Love from Nati.'