Very special thanks to Dr Marta Camprubí, of the Neonatology Unit at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona, for sharing with me her knowledge and experience of the important work she does.

Thanks to Adam Freudenheim and the whole team at Pushkin Press for believing in this story and bringing it to English-language readers.

Thanks to my agent, Bernat Fiol of SalmaiaLit, for his professionalism and conviction.

Thanks to Mara Faye Lethem, for putting such care into the translation and creating an identical twin for my Paula in English.

Thanks to Art Omi for allowing Mara and me the opportunity to work together, side by side, at their Translation Lab residency to polish this English version.

And thanks to my sons Ignasi and Oriol, for making the sun come up every day. 254