ROSIE

I wasn’t expecting to find Mum in the kitchen when I stepped out of the bathroom the next morning. I was still toweling my hair dry as she gave me a huge grin, the frying pan already sizzling on the hob.

“I’m getting you some breakfast before college.”

“Wow. Thanks.”

I couldn’t remember the last time Mum made me breakfast.

“How many eggs?” she asked me, and I stood beside her, still in shock.

“Two, please.”

“Toast?”

She already had the bread out, ready to go.

“Yes, please.”

The swelling had gone down on her face, and she was already made up to hide the split in her lip,...