The water eventually cooled and Mum shooed me out of the bathroom, grabbing a couple of bags she'd bought and telling me to wait until she was dressed. I sat on the edge of the bed, twiddling my thumbs, listening as Mum sang to herself in the bedroom. I heard the hairdryer at least, so I knew she was drying her hair, but had little idea what else she was up to.

The door opened perhaps twenty minutes to half an hour later. I stood up as Mum appeared and the sight took my breath away. She was dressed in a figure hugging but strapless red dress, showing off her...