1. I'm almost ready when I hear Alec chatting to himself upstairs. I want to be ready for lunch before I bring him down, so I don't call up. Then I hear a cheery "Hallo Mummy?" and noises on the stairs. My little man appears in the kitchen doorway, saying "Good boy!" as he always does when he is pleased with himself. I'm glad that he now has even more freedom to move about his home -- though I know that one day I will stop short and realise that I miss "Mummy carry?".
2. I'm old enough as a writer to understand that there is no judgement in writing the first draft.
3. Peeling a roasted pepper, the bright red flesh collapsing in a puddle of caramelised juice.
