Extract from Black Orchids by Gillian Slovo
The downward pressure of her mother's hand on Vanessa's head grew heavy, and heavier still as her father turned to the stout figure of the headmaster's wife to give an exaggerated, flourishing bow before lifting her hand up to his lips. Vanessa loved it when her father did things like that - he was so funny - but she saw how the gesture made Milton scowl. But Milton must be mistaken because the headmaster's wife laughed - as did her husband - both of them quite loudly.