AFTER SHE’D CALMED DOWN ENOUGH to think, she realized what was a distinct possibility. Oh no, oh no, oh no! What if staying at home all day is making me hallucinate? Then what?

Your wish will come true.

The little girl had said: As I was saying – we’ll grant you a single wish. It will come true, even for a dullard like you.

The words came back to her, loud and clear. Too distinct to be some hallucination.

‘Hi, I’m back!’

Her mother’s voice at the front door.

She’d be annoyed if she found her daughter watching TV, so Kokoro grabbed the remote and switched it off. ‘Hi, Mum!’ she called. Her mother had told her on the phone that she’d be back early, and sure enough she was.

Kokoro was about to go downstairs when she shot another glance at the mirror, but it was no longer shining.

HER MOTHER WAS IN A good mood.

‘I know you like gyoza, so would you like to help me make some from scratch?’ Her mother placed her shopping bags on the floor. They were full of cans of milk, coffee, yoghurt, fish, sausage. She had been complaining that, with Kokoro at home so much, she had to restock the fridge more often.

‘Mum?’

‘Hmm?’

Her mother, decked out in business wear, slid off her shoes, unclipped the silver barrette in her hair, and headed into the kitchen.

Kokoro wanted to share what she’d experienced earlier, but as she contemplated her mother’s back she knew she couldn’t. It would probably ruin her mother’s good mood, and anyway she wouldn’t believe her. Kokoro herself still couldn’t believe it.

‘Um … never mind.’

Kokoro skidded on the floor towards the kitchen to help put away the shopping.

‘Don’t worry,’ her mother said. And she gave her a gentle pat on the back. ‘I’m not upset about you not going to the School today.’ Kokoro realized with a start that her mother thought Kokoro was feeling guilty.

‘It was your first time today, after all. But I do think it’s a lovely place, so whenever you feel up to it, let me know. When I called this morning, the teacher you met said to come in whenever you’re ready. She’s really very nice, I think.’

The events earlier had stirred Kokoro so much she’d completely forgotten about abandoning school.

It was now clearer than ever that her mum really hoped Kokoro would decide to go, and Kokoro began to feel extremely guilty.

‘They said their next session is on Friday,’ her mother said.

‘OK,’ Kokoro managed to say.

HER MOTHER HAD PROBABLY CALLED her father, because he came home earlier than usual too, in time for dinner.

He didn’t mention the School. ‘Wow, gyoza!’ he said, as he sank down in his usual chair at the dining table.

‘Darling,’ her mother said, ‘do you remember when Kokoro was little, how all she could eat whenever we had gyoza were the wrappers?’