We love having visitors, but when they leave we usually have a few days of hell from our children, who are wondering where all the attention has gone. After a particularly testing day, Justine relayed to Simon each child's individual achievements when he came back from work. Each one had prompted a major loss of temper on Justine's part. Elizabeth listened with interest and then asked, 'was I the naughtiest?'. Simon and Justine agreed that, on this occasion, she had really excelled herself and surpassed even Mary and Caspar's efforts combined. And then we saw it, a look of triumph - fleeting and disguised, but it was there! So now we know - it's a competition! When we think the children are sleeping sweetly they are planning competition stratagems and rules, and they probably have prize-giving the following night. Love 'em!
