Klara told kids at school that she has a big brother who died.* Immediately, having a dead older sibling became an issue of great prestige. The other kids invented dead older siblings and endowed them with names and personalities. Conversations began to abound to the effect that “Ellie has two brothers but they are both alive” (delivered with withering contempt for the unfortunate Ellie.) I’m sure a few kids told off the parents at home for being remiss in providing a real dead sibling.
I have a feeling I’m not deeply popular with other parents right now.
* For new readers, she does.
Clarissa's Blog 