“We’ll try to get down to you by midday on Boxing Day, Mum,” said James (alias Jimbo or Jim) over the telephone on Christmas Eve.

“Don’t worry about having to be here for a specific time for lunch,” I replied, “We’re going to have a running buffet so that anyone can drop in at anytime.”

“I hope it won’t be a banana and a drink of water from a plastic cup,” Jimbo joked.

I was still smiling when I put down the receiver. I was thinking back to an earlier time when he was my little Jim, barely more than a toddler…

“Goodnight sunshine,” I whispered, kissing him at bedtime.

“Goodnight Mumshine,” he responded as quick as a flash.

James and Jaimy are on their way from Brighton. They should be here within two hours. I haven’t seen them since their wedding in April – I’m so excited. I wonder if I have any plastic cups – just for a joke, of course.