The Little Brooklyn Bakery. Julie Caplin

…’ she lifted her shoulders.

      ‘Aside from chores?’ pressed Todd.

      ‘I’ve got to do my washing sometime.’

      ‘Babe, we’ve had the washing talk already. Your laundry isn’t going to take all day. You need to get out there. Although you can still cook me dinner.’ He cocked his head with a hopeful look that had Sophie laughing.

      ‘Great. It won’t stop you doing my wash— laundry, although I’m not sure I want you handling my underwear.’ She was surprised that there was no washing machine in the apartment. She’d rinsed a few things through by hand.

      ‘I’m pretty good at handling underwear.’

      ‘Why doesn’t that surprise me? I’ll pass though.’

      ‘English, a tip. There’s a service laundromat on Hoyt Street. Five bucks for a load. Washed, dried and folded.’

      ‘That’s good to know. I’d never have thought of that.’ She sat up straighter, brightened at the prospect. ‘I am so going to do that this afternoon.’

      ‘Welcome to America.’