I have a very small suspicion. One of those which grow in your head, sprout legs and run away. One of those which will eventually keep you awake at night, and gnaw at your heart until it bleeds and never stems.

I went to my son's prize-giving ceremony. Well. Let me rephrase that. I went to the school's prize-giving ceremony. He did not win a sausage. Unless there is a category for living up there with the fairies, annoying one's little brother, forgetting one's only clean shirt at the school (don't ask), my son will NEVER win anything.

I walked across the playground with him and a cluster of much, much older boys started to shout from a far away corner. His name. His little face stiffened.

'Who are those, sweetie?' I asked. 'Are they your friends?'

It did not occur to me that they were not 'greeting' him, they were... almost taunting him. It was only when I saw his reaction that I was not happy anymore. A cloud descended on me.

'Are they annoying you?'

'Sometimes. They are on my bus.'

I couldn't walk to the group of boys twice my son's age and tell them off for calling his name. They would have said that they were only saying hello. The beauty of subtle teasing. Even mothers cannot protest. Besides, I am three times their age.

What to do?

'You have to stand up for yourself, sweetie,' I say firmly. 'It's four of them and only one of you. You are much younger. Say it. Say to them that it is very brave to tease when there is so many of them and so little of you. Make them feel bad. And do not ignore or cave in. Never show fear.'

'I am ok.'

Other incidents have emerged today. More teasing.

'Why won't you tell the teacher?'

'I don't like telling.'

I do. I like telling. I like telling my son's teacher that he is too silly to explain what annoys him. Too stubborn to ask for support.

I can't find the teacher's email address. So it's another night of worrying. Of gnawing. It may be nothing. And this is the last week at school. My son says he is fine.

I may be nothing and I may be sensitive, fragile and worrying about ghosts.

I also think that children should be exposed to mild teasing and taunting - after all, this is real life.

And yet... my entire being wants to go and find the little pests, and tell them where to go and tease boys their own size.

Grrrrr.