breakfast

When I wake up, Mum is already wandering the house and all the lights are on. Same as any morning this week. I go downstairs to let her dog into the garden, and then I pour two bowls of cereal and add the soya milk we use. Mum is sitting at the table, ready, and asks for some juice. I pour the last of the pineapple juice into a glass.

I start eating my cereal. Mum is sitting there waiting for something. In between mouthfuls I ask, "What's wrong? Why aren't you eating?"

"I need some milk, don't I?"

"It's on your cereal, Mum."

"On my cereal?..... On the cereal?"

"Yes, Mum."

And so she quickly tips her pineapple juice onto her cereal and my voice reaches an octave I haven't heard since my balls dropped.