Mum smiles, but it’s sad. ‘While my mum was sick, before I left for England, I used to sleep with her at night, in case there was anything she needed. She used to put a drop of perfume on her pillow before bed. That’s when I had the strangest dreams of Mama at my age, except it was like I was watching a play.’ Mum shakes her head, as if trying to unmuddle her thoughts. ‘I thought they were just dreams but now . . .’

‘You know it was magic?’ I finish in a whisper, wondering whether these memories are a gift or a curse. Mum lost her mum and so have I. If that never happened, would the magic have existed at all?

We sit together for a while, and think about all that has happened, and try not to think about what is to come.

‘Shall we watch some of the play?’ Mum asks eventually. ‘We’ve missed most of it now, but the next scene is my favourite.’

Mum walks me over to the window and points at her secret hideaway.

It’s full of people sitting cross-legged on a great big rug. Aminah stands in front of them in her mermaid dress, Rawan by her side.

Mama and Zaina watch the play together. I see it now: the way Mama leans on Zaina for support, like she can’t hold herself up.

‘I remember it all so clearly,’ Mum says, and then she mouths the final lines as Aminah and Rawan speak them.

When the scene is done I ask Mum how much longer we have left.

‘Not long,’ she admits. ‘Only until the play ends.’ She ushers me over to the bed. ‘Let’s lay together, and you can tell me all about school.’

I lie next to Mum and nuzzle up against her as we talk, eyes closed, like best friends at a sleepover. I tell her about Elle, and the book of fairy tales, and I try not to let the worry of time stop me from savouring the moment. Even though it feels like it’s slipping through my fingers like sand. Because these are the final moments we have together.

‘It’s time, now, Safiya,’ Mum says after we’ve chatted for a while. ‘Keep your eyes closed and count to ten.’

One. Two. Three. Mum kisses me on the forehead, brushing my hair aside.

Four. Five. Six. She squeezes my hand tight, before stepping off the bed. I do as she says and keep my eyes shut.

Seven. Eight. Nine. ‘Goodbye, habibti. I love you.’

Ten. I open my eyes. I’m in Mum’s room alone.

I run to the window and see Aminah and Rawan in their hideaway. Everyone else has gone. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but their laughter floats upwards through the open window, surrounding me like a hug.