He stood still, uncertain what to do with empty hands.

‘See that box?’ I said, pointing to a wooden bin by the window.

‘It’s full of blocks.

Could you show Sophie how to build a tower?’

He went reluctantly at first.

Then Sophie’s laughter filled the room, and Lucas forgot the dishes for nearly twenty minutes.

I left them in the sink until bedtime.

Nobody was harmed by a messy kitchen.