Tania had always been at the top of her class, even after shifting from a neutral system of grades to an aggressive one of ranks. In the new arena, a few girls jousted bitterly every year for the pinnacle with ill-concealed ferocity that crackled with venom and was spat out sporadically in dour confrontation.

This year, Tania had set a taut mouth to the task, juggling with both inspired and slog work. Despite a slightly distressed demeanour after the math test, she looked smug enough for the top spot. That evening, when I heard a hail of footsteps in the hallway, and in a swirl of pigtails, she was lodged breathless in my arms, I knew she had beaten her rivals. Probably by the slenderest of margins, which makes triumph all the sweeter.