Matt had bought her a coffee machine for her birthday, which had become her prized possession and something of a lifesaver with these early starts and the lack of sleep. She put in a pod, topped up the water and switched it on, breathing in the scent of freshly brewed coffee as it spluttered and gurgled into her mug. She was hoping Ezra would sleep a little later once he started school in September, but that was still months away, and in the meantime, she wondered if she should go and ask the doctor for something to help with her insomnia. Then she remembered her sister Hailey’s experience with sleeping pills, how she’d become addicted and struggled to get herself right again, and decided that the new yoga class at the community centre might be a better alternative.

‘Mummy, look!’ Ezra called as he came running up to her with a piece of paper flapping in his hand. She took the drawing and gazed at the grey squiggles.

‘That’s lovely,’ she said, unable to remember what he’d said he was going to draw. It could be any number of things and he got offended if she didn’t know what his pictures were supposed to be. ‘Let’s put it on the fridge with the others, shall we?’

He jumped up and down, clapping his hands, excited to see his artistic efforts displayed.

‘Are you ready for breakfast?’ Sara asked, pulling a carton from the fridge and pouring milk into his Thomas the Tank Engine mug, the only one he’d drink from. He guzzled it down, licking the white moustache from his upper lip.

‘Not yet. I’ve got more drawing to do.’ And off he went, back to the art box. She watched him for a moment as he carefully chose the right colours for his next picture.

She picked up her coffee mug and cradled it to her chest, a to-do list for the day writing itself in her mind. So many things to remember with three kids, a husband and a house to manage. Especially now she’d started working part-time as well, something she’d been desperate to do, if only for a bit of adult interaction. But meeting everyone’s needs, including her own, was like herding cats, and she inevitably forgot things. She sipped her coffee, relishing the taste, the warmth of it in her throat. The best cup of the day.