With its motor purring quietly like a happy cat, the shiny, the opulent St Mary's school bus arrives at the curb.

With his backpack swinging wildly behind him, Liam runs down the steps as the doors swing open.

He hardly waits for Louisa to wave before breaking into a ranting monologue, his face beaming with a contagious smile.

"Mommy! You'll be shocked! Liam jumps into her car's rear seat and exclaims. "The school is fantastic! They have these cool smartboards, and the classrooms are huge!

Also, the chairs are comfortable rather than the stiff, squeaky ones from my former school.”

As she moves away from the bus stop, Louisa grins....