Each morning I gently prise 10 still-babyish fingers off my arm and say goodbye to leave her to (very happily, I’m assured) get on with the school day. As soon as I’m out of sight she’s the bubbly, happy little girl I know, but she still has a wobble at the very point of parting. I, still too, come home to a quiet house and let a ripple of emotion pass over me at the thought of having both my children now at school.

Will it take their whole childhoods for me to learn not to stagger at each milestone and to tip the balance in favour of joy over heartache at the thought of time passing all too fast? Must try harder.