For the event I wore a green scarf Thomas had bought me on our last anniversary and arrived early enough to find the school hall before it filled with parents.

Emma’s picture hung near the windows.

She had painted a small house under a dark blue sky, its windows warm and yellow, with a path leading to the front door.

Beside it was a card describing her theme: “Everyone deserves to belong.” The image made me think of Christmas Eve, but I forced myself not to make her work into an adult argument.

Emma stood beside it wearing a paper badge with her name.