I removed my gele after getting home and sat with both hands against my head, just enjoying not having anything tight around it. Beautiful in the photographs, yes, but the relief when those pins come out! My youngest brought the mirror because she thought something had happened to my hair. Nothing happened except that I had been carrying Sunday on my head since morning. I washed my face and changed into a loose gown before answering any messages. The room was still warm, but air could reach my neck. Then I discovered I was hungry enough to eat before asking whether everybody else had eaten.

I was helping my son revise biology and caught myself asking the question, giving the answer and asking whether he understood, all before he had opened his mouth. He said Mummy, is this revision for you or for me? Fair question! Once I allowed him to explain, he knew more of it than I expected, only not in the order I would teach it. I kept wanting to interrupt at the missing step. The missing step came later. Now I am trying to remember whether I used to do that with my pupils as well. I can organise a whole room to listen, but waiting for one boy to finish apparently needs its own preparation.

My father rang to tell me he had found my old Sunday school trophy while looking for his glasses. He called it my first appointment and laughed at his own joke. I laughed too, then felt so pleased that he still knew which competition it was from, because there were five of us and many school things passed through that house. He offered to bring it when next they visit. I said no need, Daddy, where will I put it, and immediately began thinking of the space beside my certificate. Small plastic trophy o, not an international award. Still, I hope he remembers to bring it.