‘We’ve just moved here from London.’

‘Wow, bit different to round here!’ I grin, feeling suddenly proud of the peace and quiet of our pretty Dorset town. I’ve only lived here for seven years, but it really does feel like home. Wareham is a gorgeous place, set on the River Frome, with pretty shops and eateries surrounded by lush green English countryside. I love London too, but the capital is as far removed from Wareham as you can get.

‘Just a bit,’ Kate replies. ‘But that’s why we moved here. We’ve had a few family holidays in Wareham over the years and fell in love with the place. Plus, life was getting too hectic in London and we aren’t keen on the senior schools where we lived. Amy is in year five, so we would have had to start thinking about all that again. The system’s different in London, and the Dorset one works better for us.’

‘So you didn’t want to wait and start them after Christmas? It’s only three weeks till the end of term.’

She pushes a stray lock of hair out of her eyes. ‘We considered it, but thought it was best to dive right in, now we’re here.’

‘Makes sense. Who’s your daughter’s teacher?’

‘Amy’s in Miss Darlington’s class.’

‘That means she’s in the same class as my daughter, Jessica.’

‘Is she a good teacher, do you know?’

‘Strict, but, yes, very good. Talking of which…’ I catch sight of the diminutive Miss Darlington marching briskly across the playground, followed by a straggle of unkempt looking children – ties skew-whiff, shirts untucked, coats trailing across the concrete. And coming up behind, I see my son’s year group in the same usual state of disarray. ‘There they are.’

Kate’s shoulders relax and she waves frantically to a blonde girl who’s talking to Jess. The girl gives her a single dismissive wave and turns back to my daughter. ‘Thank goodness,’ Kate says. ‘Looks like Amy might have made a friend. She was so nervous this morning.’

‘That’s my daughter she’s talking to.’ I feel a spark of pride that Jess seems to have taken the new girl under her wing.

‘Mum!’ A fair-haired boy races across the playground, crashing into Kate’s open arms.

‘Kieran! How was your day?’

‘Awesome. I like it here, Mum. The playground’s massive. We’ve got a lizard in our class and we get to take turns bringing it home.’