She beams!

That was exactly how M put it.

"She beams".

She was right. There isn't any other way to describe the look on Annabel's face when Joseph pays her some attention. Not that he doesn't do it often - he is a very considerate brother - but when he goes out of his way, like a kiss on the cheek, on the forehead or her hand for example, then the look on Missy's face truly is priceless.

We were walking back from the library this morning and Poops decided to hold Missy's hand (she was in her buggy but feels more involved if she has a hand to hold). As he took it, M and I were watching her; closely.

Annabel looked up at him and then down to her hand as he took it. As he wrapped her tiny hand with his little one, a smile started to break on her face and she looked, almost in slow motion, back up at his face.

The look on her face was one of total adoration; I mean, total!

And it stayed that way.

For the next 50, 100, 200 yards, she just stared at him, smiling; thrilled that he should choose to hold her hand for so long considering all the distractions that we passed; huge, ripple free puddles screaming to be walked through, conkers sitting patiently, waiting; colourful and beautifully shaped leaves lying there, unclaimed.

I don't remember what broke the spell, what caused him to drop her hand? It didn't matter though. He had made her day without even realising it.

Whatever it was, it took his attention away completely and he probably forgot that he was holding her hand within seconds.

Not Annabel though.

She also turned her attention back to her surroundings.

But she carried that brief encounter with her brother for the rest of our journey home. "He held my hand" her face said. "My brother held my hand; he must love me a lot".

"She beams".

And he doesn't even know it!

For now.