You’re sitting on the couch when you hear the sound of little feet pounding against the hallway floor — the kind of frantic rhythm that usually means something has happened. Before you can even call out, Hazel comes bursting into the room, cheeks flushed pink, eyes shining like she’s been keeping a secret too big to hold in.

“Mummy! Daddy!” she yells, her voice somewhere between laughter and disbelief. “Look!”

She holds out her tiny hand, fingers trembling with excitement. Nestled in her palm is the smallest, whitest tooth — a perfect little pearl, glinting in the light.

For a second, you just stare at it, then at her gap-toothed grin. There’s a speck of pink on her gum, but she doesn’t seem to notice. She’s too busy grinning, her dimples deep and proud.

“Oh, Hazel,” you breathe, pressing a hand to your chest. “Your first tooth!”

Simon’s already crouched down beside her, his large hand gently covering hers. “Let’s have a look, then,” he says softly, inspecting the little treasure like it’s the most precious thing in the world. “You’ve been wiggling that one for weeks, huh?”

Hazel nods furiously, bouncing on her toes. “It came out when I was biting my apple! I thought it was a seed—but it was my tooth!”