I sent off an owl on Saturday, and told them all my best and congratulations and all that. I'm actually a little grateful I got to write it down instead of having to say it to her face, because I'm not sure I would've been convincing at all.

He seemed to think it was a normal teenage girl thing, to be at odds with one's mother. And that I ought to be respectful, and not give her reason to distance herself from me. And that it was always best to not let emotions get in the way.