I have loaded an iPad with around a day’s worth of kids’ television shows, and I have an interiors magazine for myself. I love to read, but I’m not sure there is anything more glorious than daydreaming whilst looking out of the window on a train. The rolling countryside, the constant brrr of the engines. I am quite excited by the prospect of it.

I have a bagful of snacks for Bonnie, and a few crudités and dips for myself. I even got myself a small packet of Twiglets as a special treat.

‘Can I sit by the window?’ Bonnie asks me, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of it. I agree, hoping that no one comes on and takes the other two seats at the table. Bonnie chooses the backward-facing seat, and I am pleased as I am in the mood to look forward. She bounces around on her feet. I should tell her to stop, but it’s very sweet to see her so excited.

‘Can we go on trains more often?’ she asks me, as we roll out of the station and she gazes at the tracks like she is passing over a magical land.

‘Maybe,’ I say, wondering where we will go.

I text my mother.

Mum, I am on my way to Cornwall and will be stopping in with Bonnie. We won’t be staying, I have a hotel organised. We will be seeing you around 2pm.

I had wondered if I would tell my mother at all that we were coming, but as the train rolls on, I feel it is for the best. I’m not sure she would like to be surprised, and maybe with a little notice she will prepare herself in some way. Get dressed. Clean the litter trays. The text marks as ‘read’ immediately, but no reply comes through.

I found a hotel with a family room. Two rooms adjacent, connected by a bathroom. Bonnie and I have never spent a night away together before. Who knows how it will go. I rest my head against the window and watch her. Her face is squashed against the glass and I see her pupils zipping from side to side as she tries to keep up with the view.

‘Mummy, Mummy, look, a cow,’ she screeches in delight as she spots one in a field. ‘Moooo,’ she shouts in its direction, as if it might hear her. It makes me laugh. We are an hour in before she asks for either the iPad or a snack. Experience and excitement being all the entertainment she needed until then. I open my packet of Twiglets lengthways and put it onto the table. We share them. She then watches a few episodes of Peppa Pig. I barely take my eyes off her while she does.