I sit in an old ragged pink khadi kurta with my warm pyjamas. Here comes sneeze number 37. I am snuggled into my home office chair with a pot of ginger tea with tea leaves that have travelled a long way here from Munnar via Kochi. The birds chirp outside, a few wild flowers peep up from the crackling brown grass. I drink water from a green glass bottle, popping some fever reducing medication.

My son at daycare. Z at work. My sister sips tea with someone she is so muchinlovewith. I can feel her smile. Later they go to a chocolate bar, drink cool coffee and are all chocolate eyed.

I just wait. For my boys to get back home. For a new life later this year. To fit into an old pair of jeans. To feel better. Or if nothing else, then for Saturday when five naughty ones get together as our friends visit us for lunch.