2.57 a.m. – Sophy:I know, sorry for not saying something earlier. I have been trying to deny it to myself since, well, since the very day I met him, actually.

2.58 a.m. – Mel:This is epic. I need to know all the details. Who is he? Oh, hang on, I think I can guess. It’s not that fit builder you were always harping on about, is it?

2.59 a.m. – Sophy:??

3.00 a.m. – Mel:– Christ the lord. Fiiiiiiiiiit!

3.01 a.m. – Sophy:??

3.01 a.m. – Mel:Okay, now’s not the time to discuss this, but I suggest a play date in the park ASAP for a debrief. Aisha, are you with us?

4.19 a.m. – Aisha:Oh my goodness, sorry I’m late in tonight. Boys both slept a full five hours. I feel like a new woman! This is the best news, Sophy. I couldn’t be happier. Tell us everything.

32

AISHA

Aisha finished playingThe 3 a.m. Shattered Mums’ Clubpodcast to Martina, who shook her head in disbelief.

‘Well, my goodness, if I had spoken them words on the radio when I was your age, I don’t know what people would have thought.’

‘It doesn’t go on the radio, Mum, it’s a podcast. You listen to it on your iPhone or tablet. You can pause it or fast-forward it.’

‘I know I’d be fast-forwarding all that chatter ’bout minnies.’

Aisha laughed. ‘It’s just a vagina, Mum – it’s where we all come from.’

‘I know, girl, but to keep yappin’ ’bout it on the, um—’ she pointed at Aisha’s phone, which was sat between them on the table, a plate of ginger biscuits parked close to her elbow ‘—that thing.’

‘It’s fun. I enjoyed it. It’s a bit like therapy, actually.’

‘Well, so long as you happy and those blues been chased away.’

‘I’m getting there, Mum. It’s not always easy. But I’ll get there.’

‘And now you off to see that father of yours.’

‘I’m meeting Jon, yes, at the park. He’s staying here tonight.’ Aisha eyed Martina carefully.

‘Well, you make sure you make his coffee good and hot in the morning. My goodness that man moaned if his coffee was not scolding the roof of his mouth off.’

Aisha nodded. ‘Hot coffee. Okay. Noted.’

Martina stood up and put her arms out to Aisha. The open invitations for hugs had become more and more recently.

‘And has Jon said anything about moving back here, to you, I mean?’

‘We speaking ’bout things. I’ll keep you updated, girl. We taking it slowly, I think is the expression.’ And Martina laughed a lovely loud laugh that made Aisha feel warm inside.

33

SOPHY

One month later

‘Well, hello there, everyone, and welcome to my first vlog from my new Instagram account, The 3 a.m. Shattered Mums’ Club! Thank you to each and every one of you for supporting me on ThisGirlThisBody and for following me over to this account. You can expect an array of content here, and one thing’s for sure, no subject is off limits! Most of all, what I hope for you all and what I hope to help you achieve, is to form your own 3 a.m. Shattered Mums’ Club, because let’s face it, whoever you are, feeding your babies at those hazy hours of the morning, there is nothing wrong with reaching out. I was lucky enough to meet two wonderful women earlier this year and I can honestly say that they have altered my life, and, well, without sounding too dramatic, I don’t think I can live without them. Oh, and they just happen to be here now! I’ve been so excited to introduce you to the other two founding members of The 3 a.m. Shattered Mums’ Club, Mel and Aisha – come on in!’

* * *