Page 116 of Good Sisters

‘Sorry,’ I said, ‘we’re just a bit worried. Pippa seemed unwell on the phone. This is Robert’s father.’ I pointed to Jack.

‘I’m Alice. I have a spare key. Pippa often forgets hers,’ the lady said.

‘Oh, thank God.’ Jack went over to her, and she handed him a key.

‘It’s none of my business but …’ she hesitated ‘… Pippa seems to be struggling a bit lately. She stumbles a lot and forgets things. I found Robert locked out yesterday. Pippahad popped out to the shops but didn’t come back for hours. I brought him in here.’

Oh, God, things were worse than we had imagined.

I thanked Alice and gave her our phone numbers. ‘Please call us if it ever happens again. We’ll come and get Robert. Thank you so much.’

Meanwhile, Jack opened and burst through the door. I rushed after him, with Jess behind me.

‘Jesus Christ,’ Jack cried out.

Pippa was passed out on the floor of the living room. There was an empty bottle of vodka beside her and three lines of cocaine on the coffee-table. I reached down and checked her pulse. She was breathing, passed out, but breathing.

‘She’s alive,’ I said.

‘Robert?’ Jack roared. ‘It’s Daddy.’

‘Muuuuum.’ Jess looked at me wild-eyed. In that moment, she looked as young as Robert. She was staring around the room, unable to believe what she was seeing. I could barely believe it myself.

I needed to take control and keep Jess from freaking out.

‘It’s okay, pet. Pippa’s going to be fine. Please go and see if you can find Robert. Jack, I need your help, we need to lift Pippa up.’

Jess went into Robert’s bedroom and then came out. She shook her head, then went into Pippa’s bedroom and I could hear her calling her brother’s name.

We sat Pippa up and Jack slapped her cheeks, calling to her, trying to bring her around. She opened her eyes and closed them again.

I went to help Jess find Robert. My daughter was looking under Pippa’s bed when I came in.

‘I can’t find him anywhere.’ Jess was upset.

I saw a light coming from the slatted door of the corner wardrobe. I walked over, opened the door and found Robert inside. He was curled up on Pippa’s fur coat. He had his headphones on and was watching cartoons on his iPad.

‘Oh, sweetie,’ I said.

‘Thank God he’s okay,’ Jess sobbed.

Robert smiled. ‘Hi, Sophie, did Mummy wake up? I’m really hungry,’ he said, taking off his headphones.

I picked him up and hugged him.

‘Hey, Robert.’ Jess stroked his hair as she fought back tears. ‘It’s okay, we’re all here now.’

‘Tell your dad,’ I told her.

‘Dad, Robert’s in here,’ Jess called, through the bedroom door.

Jack raced in and took Robert from me. Holding him tightly, he exhaled. ‘Oh, buddy, I was so worried.’

Jess slid her hand into mine and leaned into my shoulder. I kissed the top of her head.

‘You’re squashing me, Daddy.’ Robert squirmed under Jack’s tight hold.

‘Sorry – I’m just so happy to see you.’ Jack’s voice shook as he put his son down gently.

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