Page 114 of Good Sisters

Clara’s eyes widened. ‘I’m glad you’re not married. I don’t want a stepmother or a stepfather.’

‘Just Mummy and also maybe Daddy, yes?’

Clara nodded slowly, and then she stood up. I thought she might leave and take some quiet time out for herself, but then she said, ‘Marco, would you like to see my bedroom?’

I had told Marco that if Clara allowed him into her bedroom he had won her over. It was her sacred sanctuary and not many people were allowed in.

Marco’s hand went to his chest. ‘It would be an honour,’ he said, his voice cracking at the significance of this moment.

I laid my hand on his arm. ‘Calma,’ I whispered.

He knew what he had to do. To be fair, he was playing a blinder. I watched as my little girl led the way, followed by her father, a man she had only just met. It was a wonderful start, but a small part of me broke. Clara had always been mine, all mine. Now it looked like I was going to have to share her with Marco. I wasn’t sure how ready I was to do that. I knew she deserved to have her father in her life, but she was my everything. Was this what parenting was – sacrificing your happiness for theirs?

27. Sophie

Jess sat beside Jack on the couch, scrolling through all the things she wanted for her sixteenth birthday. Jack, as usual, was indulging her.

‘You don’t need three pairs of cargos, Jess,’ I pointed out.

She glared at me. ‘I’ll wear them loads and they’re not even that expensive.’

‘Ah, let her get them. It’s a big birthday.’

Here we go again with the spoiling and the never saying no. I was not raising a kid who thought she could snap her fingers and get what she wanted.

‘Jack,’ my voice was firm, ‘one pair is plenty.’

‘Okay.’ Jack winked at Jess, thinking I was stupid or blind. I hated when he did that ignore-Mum-she’s-a-pain thing. If I didn’t discipline Jess and rein her in, she’d turn into an entitled princess. A bit like I’d been back in the day – a stupid, vacuous (I’d had to look up the word after Louise called me vacuous all those years ago), materialistic, spoiled idiot. Jack had spoiled me and we had lived a lavish lifestyle. I’m not going to pretend I hadn’t enjoyed it, but I do think that the crash to earth, in the long run, was a good thing.

Resisting the urge to shout, I asked Jess what she wanted to do on the big day.

‘Will I book Nando’s for a family dinner? We can bring Robert?’ I suggested.

Jess looked appalled. ‘OMG, no way. That’s so lame. I want a party here.’

This was the first I’d heard of it. ‘For how many?’

She didn’t even look up from her phone. ‘I dunno – like, forty?’

Our house was not big. It was a perfect size for the three, sometimes four of us, but I wasn’t sure where forty kids would fit.

‘Forty is too many.’

‘Well, you’re the one who always says include everyone, it’s mean to leave people out,’ she reminded me.

‘Are you inviting boys too?’ Jack raised an eyebrow.

‘Obviously. I’m not a loser.’

‘Will you invite the triplets?’ I asked. I knew that if they were coming Sebastian might be too. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing having the party here. At least I’d get to keep an eye on what was going on and see if she and Sebastian were completely over or if she still had a crush on him, which I prayed she didn’t.

‘Of course I’m inviting them.’

‘And Sebastian?’

‘I’m inviting the whole team, so I guess I’ll include him.’ She scrolled on her phone.

I was afraid to ask any further questions because I knew she’d clam up. It was better for me to see it for myself. I’d agree to the party.

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