Leaning to one side to pick up a different pencil, Audrey felt a grinding pain slice through her right shoulder, causing her to inhale sharply.

“What’s wrong, Granny? Do you need me to get you something?”

Audrey shook her head, molding her grimace into a smile. “No thanks, darling. It’s just a little twinge, that’s all. It’s better now, honestly.”

The pain continued to jab at her shoulder, like a clamorous child demanding attention. She knew it was referred pain from the tumor in her liver, had been tolerating it for weeks, but still its intensity took her by surprise.

“OK, everyone. Shall we have a fifteen-minute break? Back here at quarter past?”

Pencils clattered against trays. Mia looped her arm through Audrey’s and together they walked down the single flight of stairs to the canteen. In two weeks it had already become a habit: Audrey taking a seat at a corner table by the window, Mia joining her a couple of minutes later balancing a cup of tea, a hot chocolate, and a heavily iced cupcake on a tray.

As Mia sat down opposite, Audrey noticed the dark rings beneath her granddaughter’s eyes.

“Are you getting enough sleep, Mia? You look exhausted. Are you sure this class isn’t too much for you?”

Mia shook her head. “Definitely not. It’s the highlight of my week. I’m not even exaggerating.” She tried to offer Audrey a reassuring smile but it got lost somewhere between her lips and her eyes.

“I just don’t want it to add to your stress when I know how much pressure you’re under. Only a week until your first AS exam. Just think, in a month it will all be over.” Audrey picked up her tea but before she’d managed the first sip, tears had begun to well up in Mia’s eyes. “What is it, Mia? What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to mess them up, I know I am. And then Mum’ll be furious and I can’t cope with her disappointment.”

Audrey took Mia’s hand, rubbing the back of it gently. “You’re going to be fine. You work so hard and you’re so bright. I know you’re under a huge amount of pressure, but it’ll be over soon.”

Mia sniffed, the skin marbling around her eyes. “It won’t. These are only my AS exams. There’s a whole year before my A-levels. And I’m not going to be fine, Granny. There’s no way I’m going to get an A-star in history.”

“That doesn’t matter, Mia. Nobody can get top marks in everything.”

“It does matter. It matters to Mum. You know it does.”

Audrey wiped her granddaughter’s tears with the pad of her thumb. “Mum will be proud of you whatever you get.”

“No she won’t. You know that’s not true. If I don’t get four A-stars next year she’s going to think I’ve failed. She’s only ever happy when I get top marks. You’ve seen her, you know what she’s like.”

Audrey wanted to say that Mia was exaggerating but she’d witnessed too many fraught exchanges between her daughter and granddaughter to contradict her. “Mum only wants the best for you. She’s going to love you whatever grades you get. Would you like me to talk to her, tell her how you’re feeling?”