"Say 'Apple'." Gaz insists with a smile, pointing at the flashcard. You stare blankly at him.

"... Okay." Gaz mumbles after a few minutes of silence. "Not a fan of apples. Fair enough." he reaches for another flash card. Your school told Gaz you'd spoken your first words; words which he'd missed and now he can't shake off the guilt.

"Look at this one," Gaz says, keeping up the fake cheer as he holds up the card. "Cat."