IT’S EARLY ON a Friday and the usual morning hustle of a school day is playing out in my kitchen. Olivia, ten, is dressed and breakfasted. She’s adding to lunchboxes: chopping up fruit, tossing in chips, searching for lids. Sophie, seven, provides commentary: cut it the other way, honey-soy for me, that one doesn’t match. Soph is wearing her uniform but labours through her Weet-Bix. She has eaten enough to take the edge off her hunger and wants to run free. For Sophie, life is calling: jokes need telling, toys need playing with, books need reading and the cat needs coddling in so many blankets he’ll resemble a sausage roll. As Triple J streams from the speaker, I prompt Sophie to eat up. I should shower but I’m loitering, waiting to hear what Ruby Fields will cover for Like A Version.

‘Are you driving us in today, Mum?’ Liv asks.