"You are an awful liar," she points out. Her tone is awfully fond, considering how much she hates it when people lie. "It's a big part of the reason I like you so much. And, you know, I'm impressed enough with you for the both of us, so at least you've got that going for you?" Who else in the family has their very own Verity Willis, human lie detector, to always tell them they're wonderful?
Does it have to be tea and cake? Could it be cake and tea?