6/52

“a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2017.”

Stella: You remember your homework when I forget. You find your lost library book when I can not. You organise your room and separate the toy food from the toy plates. I tell you to hurry we’re late and you say, that’s why we should leave earlier. You’re growing and I’m seeing your light, your special talents, and I find myself wrapped in wonderment as I meet the parts of you that have been hidden until now.

Hugo: We celebrated your birthday part. You spend the first hour hidden in the office watching Peppa Pig. Then you came out and discovered with horror that your friends were touching your cars. There were several hitting episodes. And then you cried when we sang you happy birthday. And yet you still told me that you loved your party. So. Question mark?

Lyra: You’re more in our world these days. You calmly observe the goings on at home. You hear the kids shooting and your mouth quivers and pouts. You coo at me, and it’s my favourite sound. You smile so brightly for Stella, and I’m starting to wonder if she’s your person.