We stayed like that for a while, until she pulled back just enough to look at me.

“Ice cream?” she said, her lips twitching into a small smile.

I laughed through the sniffles. “Always.”

She smiled back. “Good. Because we have the fancy kind. Belgian chocolate. I was saving it, but today feels like a ‘no rules’ day.”

I let out a soft chuckle. “Thanks, Mum.”

She brushed some hair from my face and kissed my forehead.

“You’re starting school next week,” she said. “You’ll need your strength. Your smile. And probably new boots.”

I smiled weakly.

She stepped back and clapped her hands once. “Also! We still need to...