My nieces came around for tea today.  They love baking.  Other than visits to their grandmother or I, they never get to see any baking, or indeed very many meals cooked from scratch.  Their mother doesn’t like cooking.   How sad is that.  So I try to get them involved.

Today’s baking session was quite harmonious.  It was afterwards, during the eating, that the trouble started.  K (11) is very bright and very competitive and her younger sister N (9) is usually intimidated by this.  Hitherto, she has looked to K for a lead and endorsement.   But there are signs that things are changing.  

N has just joined the same class as K, giving both of them a lot of scope for tale-telling and teasing.  So when K pointed out censoriously that N had been told off this week for larking about, N was quick to retaliate.

‘K’s got a boyfriend, Aunt Ellie’ she smirked.  K’s face flamed.  ‘No, I haven’t, you liar.’ she flashed back.  ‘Yes, you have.’ replied N.  This was repeated about 8 times before I managed to get a word in.  

‘That’s nice, K.  What is his name?’  Before K could draw breath, N chipped in.  ‘Jamie – and guess what, Aunt Ellie?  He’s shorter than K’.  K’s mouth opened in a perfect circle of indignation.  ‘Liar, liar, pants on fire!’ she bellowed.  N shrugged.  ‘Whatever!  Anyway, he doesn’t like you any more, he likes India best.  Becky told me.’

K gasped.  For Becky is one of her best mates, a cool member of one of the coolest girl gangs in the school, if not the world.  A gang so cool it excludes ‘little’ girls, as she loftily tells N, and no way would any of its members reveal any secrets to a 'little girl', particulary a pestilent younger sister.   If true, it was a crushing betrayal.  

K rushed to find her mobile and spent the next few minutes feverishly texting her friends.   

Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap.  Ping.  Mutter.  Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap. Ping.  Gasp. Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap.  Ping. Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap tap.  Ping.   Silence.

K returned disconsolately to the table.  ‘Is everything sorted, K? I asked gently.  ‘Becky and I aren’t friends anymore.’ K replied, bleakly.  N serenely took another muffin. 

Game, set and match.