After much deliberation and changing of minds, the girls finally decided that the thing they would like to do most this weekend is to make fairy cakes for the school cake sale. Ordinarily, I would have run out to the shops and bought some, but with my new resolution to do more fun things with the girls, this gives us the perfect opportunity for some mother–daughter bonding time. Rob is out getting some shopping for tonight’s dinner, but he promised to be back by eleven so we could all sample the cakes with a cup of tea.
It’s Sadie’s day off, and she’s out somewhere, so we have the house to ourselves. It feels blissfully decadent, relaxing without her here. I was surprised that the girls chose something as simple as making cakes. I offered to take them to the cinema, bowling, rock-wall climbing or to the paint-a-plate café. But this was what they wanted. So this is what we’re doing.
I’m no chef, so we’re following a simple recipe on YouTube. The kitchen is already an absolute mess, but we’re all having a great time. I made sure the girls each had their own baking trays and icing bags so there’s no rivalry or arguments. So far so good.
‘Mum, you need to ice one too,’ Eva says.
‘Ooh, am I allowed?’
‘You can do one of mine and one of Katie’s.’ She passes me a cupcake.
‘Brilliant. Thanks, Eva.’
She smiles. ‘You’re welcome.’
‘Do you think four trays of cakes will be enough?’ Katie asks. ‘Maybe we should make some more, because there are loads of people at our school.’
‘Yeah, but we’re not the only ones making cakes,’ Eva says. ‘Lots of people are.’
‘Ours are the best though,’ Katie says.
‘I bet Lauren’s will be better.’ Eva’s shoulders drop.
‘No way,’ I say. ‘Our cupcakes are the best cupcakes in Bournemouth.’
‘The best in England!’ Katie cries.
‘The best in the world!’ I yell, thrusting a cupcake into the air. ‘Come on, Eva.’ I give her a nudge with my elbow.
‘The best in the universe,’ she mumbles.
‘Sorry, what was that?’ I ask.
‘In the universe,’ she says a little louder.
‘Can’t he-ear yo-ou!’ Katie sings.
‘The best in the universe!’ Eva yells, making Katie and I jump, and then collapse into helpless giggles.
Eva gives us both a grin. Then she turns serious. ‘Mu-um?’ she says.
‘Yes?’
‘Do you think… am I… would I be allowed to have a phone?’
‘We’ve already talked about this, Eva. Dad and I agreed that you can have a phone when you start senior school.’
‘But everyone else has got one.’
‘Does Maya have one?’ I ask, knowing the answer is no.
Eva shakes her head. ‘But she’s the only other person.’
‘I’m sure she can’t be the only one. And even if she was, it doesn’t change anything. We agreed we would wait.’
‘I’ve got that birthday money Grandma gave me. You wouldn’t have to pay for it. I could buy it myself.’
‘It’s not about the money, Eva.’
