On Saturday, Zion came round the corner in a hat so large it had its own weather.

I am not exaggerating. There is a breeze under there, small and private, going round and round, and it belongs entirely to Zion. Say what everybody said when they saw it.

That is a big hat.

Ava: “Hats do not have a speed.”
Zion: “This one does.”

Zion ran to the postbox and back. The hat stayed on.

Zion: “See? A slow hat would have come off.”

Two people stopped to look at the hat. Then a third one did. Zion did not mention it and he did not point at it. He simply stood in a way that made it a bit easier for them.

Ava opened her mouth to argue. Then she shut it again. She would deny this later, but the reason was very simple. She wanted the hat.

Ava: “Where did you get it.”
Zion: “The stall by the shoe shop. There is one left.”

FIVE COINS. LAST ONE.

Ava has five coins. Exactly five, which is either the best number in the world or the worst one, depending entirely on the day you are having.

Louis: “That is all of them.”
Ava: “It is all of them AND it is exactly enough. That is not a problem, Louis. That is lucky.”

And while she was thinking, Zion did the worst possible thing, which was to be kind about it.

Zion: “Go on then. Try it.”

Under the hat it is cool and quiet and slightly dark, like a small tent that you are also wearing. The breeze is real. Ava's ears went hot inside her own private weather.

From in there, you can see the point of it. Say it again, this time with your chin up.

That is a big hat.

Ava: “Is there a smaller one?”
Zion: “There is no point in a smaller one.”
Louis: “Where would you keep it?”
Ava: “On my HEAD.”
Louis: “All the time?”
Ava: “Yes.”
Mum: “What did you want when you woke up this morning, love?”
Ava: “I did not KNOW about the hat this morning.”

Which is, when you think about it, completely fair. So. Five coins, all of them. One hat, the last one, with weather in it. And a girl who has felt about three metres tall for a whole minute.

Five coins, one hat, no smaller ones. Ask the grown-up next to you whether they would wear it down the shops.

Tap. Tap. Pause.