" Why are you sticking up for Dad? Yet you were being mean to Mike who’s ever so nice. And being mean to me too.’ ‘I’m not being mean. Don’t be so childish.’ ‘I’m a child, how else am I supposed to act? And you are being horribly mean. Why are you being so nasty, even saying Sam and Lily are stupid.’ ‘Well they are. And you’re stupid being so obsessed with them. You’re a big baby,’ said Mum. ‘I am not,’ I said, and I shoved her, hard. She was still squatting and so she lost her balance. She fell backwards, legs in the air. ‘Don’t you dare hit me!’ she said. ‘Do that again and I’ll hit you right back.’ ‘I didn’t hit you, I just shoved. This is a hit,’ I said, and I punched her shoulder. It was only a token punch, a feeble little tap, but Mum smacked me hard on my leg. I stared at her, shocked. She’d never ever smacked me before. Mum seemed stunned too. Her face suddenly crumpled and she burst into tears. ‘I don’t know why you’re crying. I’m the one who should be crying – that really hurt,’ I said. ‘I’m sorry,’ Mum sobbed, her head in her hands. She cried and cried. I edged closer and then put my arm round her. She cried even harder, clinging to me. ‘Oh, Beauty, I’m so sorry,’ she gasped. ‘How could I have slapped you like that? You’re right, I was being horribly mean. It’s just I’m so scared. I don’t know what to do for the best. I was awake half the night "

― Jacqueline Wilson , Cookie