Bog Boy is enamoured of his five-year old cousin ever since he saw her one cold winter’s evening descending from the car in a beautiful silk party dress, with fur tippet and obligatory tiara after attending her godmother’s wedding.
This ethereal being was greeted with the immortal words: “Are you a real Princess?” And she just giggled delightfully saying nothing and yet so much. He has hung on her every word and does anything she asks whenever they meet. This conquest is complete and the power from it is heady indeed. But, Bog Boy’s love is not reciprocated. His cousin has shown her favour to a boy called Max in the same class at school.
I know Bog Boy adores his cousin but I had not realized how deep his hatred for his unseen rival had grown over the year.
Last week Bog Boy was in the garden with C, who helps me with the Veggie Patch. He was excited about the imminent visit from his cousin at the weekend, and was telling C all about her while he helped rake the lawn in preparation for some more grass seed.
Bog Boy: I’m not going to marry her you know.
There was a pause.
Bog Boy: She’s going to marry Max.
There was another pause.
Bog Boy: I asked my big brother if he would kill Max but he said he wouldn’t…
Bog Boy carried on raking and said not another word to C until lunchtime.
