Judy Murray: Is that mummy? The little words meant so much but why did it take so long to secure Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release?

“Is that mummy?”

Those were the simultaneously heartbreaking yet uplifting words spoken by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s daughter, Gabriella, as the family was finally reunited after too many years of politics, protests and imprisonment.

When the British-Iranian national landed at RAF Brize Norton in the early hours of Thursday, it marked the end of a tortuous six years, which began in 2016 when she was first arrested and then detained in Iran, accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

Zaghari-Ratcliffe, then working for a charity, had simply flown home with her then-22-month-old daughter to Tehran to mark Iranian New Year, unaware she was about to face years of solitary confinement, mental anguish and separation from loved ones.

No evidence was ever put forward to support the accusations of “spying” and, while it is difficult to fully understand the politics of her situation, many agree the 43-year-old was held to secure leverage over the UK Government which had, until last week, owed Iran £400 million for a cancelled order of tanks. Just last year, Boris Johnson insisted the decades-old debt and Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s sentence were “two entirely separate issues” – but, with the debt now paid, she is now free.

It certainly begs the question: why was this not done sooner? And why did the government not put aside politics for the sake of a mother sitting in a prison cell?

I have so much admiration for Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s family who fought tirelessly to secure her release, even when all hope seemed lost. So much credit must go to her husband, Richard, who kept her story in the news, gave countless factual yet emotional interviews and even staged a hunger protest outside the Foreign Office in central London for 21 days.

I’m sure the next few months will continue to be difficult for the family as they try to fit the pieces of their life back together.

Six years away from being a wife and mother, during the most important years of a child’s life, means there will be so much to learn, discover and, ultimately, heal. My biggest hope for the family now is that they are given the time, space and privacy they need. It’s going to be hard enough to rebound from such a traumatic event without people following them down the street and paparazzi parked outside their home.

Of course, there will be so much interest from the public now that she is home but there is plenty of time for documentaries, interviews and books. Now, it’s time for family.

Seeing them embrace, after endless battles with governments both here and abroad, was incredibly moving – and just the sort of light and hope we need at a time when the news is filled with so much fear and fighting in Ukraine.

Even Zaghari-Ratcliffe herself seems to have her mind on the Russian invasion as, upon her release, she wore a blue dress and a yellow scarf, representing the colours of Ukraine.

Isn’t it incredible that despite all her suffering and pain, she used her long-awaited arrival home to show support for all the other mothers out there separated from their husbands, children, family and friends?

There are three words for a woman such as herself: strong, selfless, special.

Two years on, they’re off again

Last week, I retraced my steps from almost exactly two years ago, returning to the Cheltenham Festival with my brother.

The 2020 event was one of the last big gatherings to take place before lockdown so, while it did feel a little strange to be there, like the other 250,000 fans who bought tickets, I was just ecstatic to be back at a major sporting event with a capacity crowd. The races took place behind closed doors last year so everybody has been just desperate to get back and get going again, so much so that all the surrounding hotels, restaurants and bars were completely packed!

That’s not to say we didn’t attend with a little caution, as Covid cases have been rising again all over the country. We might all feel safer than we did two years ago – especially as the Omicron strain appears to be weaker, and the vast majority of us are jabbed and boosted – but it’s important to remember we’re not quite out of the woods yet.

So, while we celebrate the return of small pleasures like racing events and holidays abroad, let’s not forget to continue to be sensible and stay safe.

Pop, pandas and puberty: What is there not to like?

Pixar’s latest animation, Turning Red, has delighted fans with its pop-filled soundtrack, colourful characters and witty humour, so much so that it became the most watched film premiere on Disney+ within three days of its release.

However, not everyone has been so welcoming of the new cartoon as some parents have criticised the storyline as “inappropriate” for a young audience because it dares to discuss puberty.

Personally, I think it’s absolutely fantastic that a film aimed at youngsters is talking so openly about bodily changes, hormones and – shock, horror! – menstrual cycles. Women’s bodies have been a taboo subject for so long, it’s about time we started talking more openly. After all, it’s a huge part of life and a rite of passage for girls as they become women.

Puberty and the first period is a huge moment in a girl’s life, and it can only be a good thing if more young women know what is happening. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say. Plus, watching the film together as a family could help open up the conversation and encourage more kids to ask questions they otherwise might feel nervous or embarrassed to mention.

Bravo, Pixar. That’s one small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind.