The week leading up to the first round of the Carabao Cup was a happy, peaceful haze.
One evening, he was sitting on the sofa with his dad, watching a ridiculously over-the-top action movie.
"See that?" his dad said, pointing a pretzel at the screen as the hero single-handedly fought off twenty ninjas."That's tactical awareness, son. He's using the environment to his advantage. A true leader."
"I think he's just punching people, Dad," Ethan said with a laugh.
"A valid tactic in the right circumstances!" his dad insisted.
His mom came in from the kitchen, holding a freshly baked, slightly lopsided lemon drizzle cake. "No-Reason Cake!" she announced proudly.
"What's a 'No-Reason Cake'?" Ethan asked, his eyes widening at the sight of the sugary masterpiece.
"It's a cake for no reason at all," his mom explained, cutting a huge slice for him. "Which is the best reason to have a cake."
Sarah emerged from her room, drawn by the scent of sugar.
