A moment of calm. a time to reflect on what had gone before, on what was yet to come. I poured a glass of white wine and stared out of the window.

The garden was deep in winter hibernation - bare trees, slumbering plants. A squirrel dangled from the bird feeder, pawing at the nuts and seeds inside. Meanwhile, two wood pigeons eyed each other warily across the fence.

I took a sip of the wine, allowing it to warm and spread its sweetness. Then -

"Dad!"

The hiss of water hitting the hob! The stench of burning starch! The vegetables had boiled over.