When I was a kid I never thought about where my stuff came from, I always had what was needed for another day at school.

I never realised how quick I grew out of my mottle grey trousers and velcro shoes. Everytime I fell over in the playground playing football against the year 7’s, thus ripping said mottle grey trousers I was promptly supplied with another pair by my mother that very same day, presumably from the secret stash she kept under the bed.

I never understood why maybe that ridiculously expensive Nike bag I wanted or Coke pencil case was cause for an argument, that’s what was ‘cool’ and I obviously needed it to make my way through the maze that is school without being stuffed in to a locker at lunch.

Now it’s time for the eldest to venture on to pastures new in September and embark on his own journey of wisdom. As we all know there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world at the minute but one thing is for sure, he’s going to need kitting out for this adventure.

Apparently hazmat suits are currently sold out in his size, fortunately the ornately monogrammed 2020 collection is not. A jumper, fleece and a couple of polos later and I’m all of a sudden glad the refund for the holiday has come through. Maybe I’ll have to dig out that Coke pencil case..

The only problem is at this rate he’ll have outgrown this haul by the time he’s allowed through the bloody gates..