I had never been to visit a friend who had just given birth…why would I have? We were only just 16. A high-ceilinged room and a clean gown, she was ruddy from the long night of labour. Her infectious smile, ready to chatter about everything and about her new baby girl. We brought you some things, I said, handing over the thin plastic bag, stuffed with Space Invaders, Lucoszade, and Silk Cuts. Time for a fag. Outside the infirmary doors, savoring our full lungs of smoke and the soft sun on our skin. What will happen now? How are you a mother, at such a young age, with nothing and no family to call your own? We weren’t worried, though, we were alive in our youth, not needing to have a plan. Not naïve. Carefree.