‘Hello. Hope they’ve behaved themselves today.’ I sign them out on the register and wave across the hall to each of my kids in turn. Jamie zooms over holding a still-wet painting, his brown hair and pale face splattered with green paint.

‘Let’s save this to take home tomorrow.’ Cheryl takes the dripping artwork from my son as I help him out of his apron. ‘Give it time to dry.’

I throw her a grateful look. ‘Looks amazing, Jamie.’

‘It’s a Christmas tree. Like the one we’re going to get.’

‘I love it. What’s your sister doing?’

‘Talking.’ He rolls his eyes and Cheryl and I laugh.

I look over and notice that Alice is indeed still chatting. Hope is among her gaggle of friends, and that reminds me that her mother Kim will be looking after my nieces this weekend instead of me. It also reminds me that I’ve yet to find out what’s up with Madeline.

‘Everything all right?’ Cheryl asks.

I realise that my expression must have fallen. ‘What? Oh, yeah, I just spaced out for a minute – long day. Jamie, fetch your sister, will you?’

He does as I ask, and returns with Alice, pulling her along with both hands.

‘Hi, Mum.’ Her blue eyes sparkle up at me. My daughter is a mini me – petite with black hair and blue eyes – our Welsh heritage, although we’ve only been to Wales a couple of times. My dad’s from Swansea, but his parents died when Dina and I were really young, so I don’t really remember them. There are no close relatives left in Wales since Aunty Caroline died so Dad never goes back, but I keep meaning to organise a trip.

‘Hello, Mrs Lewis, Mr Choudhry.’ I turn to see Cheryl opening the door to Kim Lewis and another parent I don’t recognise.

‘Right, get your coats.’ I usher my children over to the pegs to collect their things before turning to Kim with a smile, but she isn’t looking my way. Instead, her gaze is fixed on Hope at the other end of the hall. ‘Hi, Kim.’ I speak a little too loudly and it sounds forced.

She glances at me distractedly and manages a tight smile before heading over to her daughter. Now I’m really starting to get paranoid. First Madeline, and now Kim is acting like I’m persona non grata. What’s going on? I glance down and notice the children by my side staring up at me.

‘Can we go now, Mum?’ Alice says. ‘I’m starving. What are we having for tea?’

‘Fish fingers.’

‘Yes!’ Jamie does a little victory dance at the thought of his favourite food, and the three of us head home.