“I’m feeling sad today.”

You crouch on the little rock and follow her gaze across the pond and back.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Just am.”

The water is empty but for two swans, gliding gently through the thin cracked ice, side by side.

“It’s ok to be sad sometimes. It’ll get better.”

“How?”

“Well there are nice things. Like,” you sit, now, on the rock, “like hot chocolate, and cheese on toast. And elephants. And… and books and hot water bottles.”

“I do like those things. Thank you.”