‘Okay, girls,’ cried Ms Sipes, the karate instructor. ‘Take your starting positions, and remember, karate is about defence, not attack. It is a peaceful art.’ Someone should have told mean-girl Nema that. Emma stood on the karate mat facing Nema. She bowed down in the traditional display of respect for your opponent. Nema smirked at Emma, made the tiniest bow and then moved towards Emma, raising her arm. She went to strike her arm down on Emma’s shoulder, but Emma blocked it with her arm and pushed her other arm out to Nema’s side. Nema didn’t see that one coming and was too slow to block it. Points to Emma. ‘Go, Em!’ cried Eve. ‘Nice work, Emma. Good play,’ called Ms Sipes. ‘Now, back to starting positions, please.’ The girls began again, each trying out the blocks, strikes and kicks they had been learning. It was nearly the end of the round and the points were equal. Emma and Nema stood, ready for the last movement. Then, as Nema advanced, Ms Black, a teacher at the school, entered the gym.
