My boys started getting suspicious about the Tooth Fairy quite some time ago, and set up a sting operation that led them to pronounce the Tooth Fairy busted. When one of them lost a tooth, they didn’t say anything and left it under the pillow for several days to see if any money appeared. After three days of non-payments, they let on and I told them the Tooth Fairy didn’t come because she was scared of the dog. “Yeah, right,” said Son1, rolling his eyes. “Tooth Fairy busted!” “Look, here’s a picture of her – in another child’s bedroom,” I said, pointing at a photo on my phone I’d quickly Googled. “Fake news,” Son1 declared. Fast-forward to today and the situation has become even more of a charade. Despite being disbelievers, they STILL tuck any lost teeth under the pillow for personal profit (the little mercenaries!). And for various reasons – travel, jet lag, but mainly because it’s school holidays and I’m going to bed before the kids – a tooth has been awaiting collection for almost a week.  I was at work this afternoon when Son1’s WhatsApp came through: “Don’t forget to bring my tooth money tonight. It is still waiting under my pillow” The TOOTH, of course (facepalm!)! The reminder dropped into my brain like a stone into water. What a monumentally rubbish Tooth Fairy I was. I started typing a reply along the lines of, “Well, the Tooth Fairy only visits children who go to bed BEFORE MIDNIGHT”, and was about to hit send when my phone pinged again.  “U could of done it last night while I was still downstairs u know” Okay, hint taken! Tonight will be the night I remember to “cash it in”.