My mum has been cooking for weeks, getting ready for today. The garden looks perfect and the house is spotless. There were to be ten of us for lunch; it was Andrew’s birthday. Sadly, it was all in vein.

My grandmother (mum’s side) has been very ill since Thursday. For two days she was unconscious, but yesterday morning she came around. Now, with a mind that is probably as sharp as it ever was, the only movements she can make are blinks and small yawns.

The nurses say she has renal failure. Mum and I visited the care home where she lives. It was very upsetting to see her there, knowing that she could probably understand what we were saying but not respond.

Andrew’s birthday was obviously a muted affair. Just the two of them, Sal and myself. Every time the phone rang we thought it might be news from the home, but it never was. Mum visited a second time in the afternoon, and I went back to the flat.

1. Will’s birthday
   Oscar wrapped the presents It's almost unbelievable that Will is one. It seems only a few months since he was born, while we were...
   
   
2. Paul’s birthday
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3. Happy Birthday
   It was very strange walking into the office knowing that I really was at the controls this time around. At least for a while, anyway....