Page 136 of Good Sisters

‘I … like … I … I just said it for a laugh.’

‘I see. So you think it’s funny to lie about a young girl giving you blow-jobs? You think it’s okay to slander a minor?’

Sebastian was sweating now from fear, not exercise. ‘No, like, I didn’t mean it. It was stupid.’

‘Stupid is one word for it. Defamation is another. If you utter another word about my client, I will slap you with a lawsuit so fast your head will spin off. Is that clear?’

He nodded.

Victoria cleared her throat. ‘Sebastian will not be mentioning the girl’s name again. Have we finished?’

‘Not quite. We still have the matter of Liam being dropped from the rugby team because of your son’s conniving and underhand behaviour.’

‘Well, violence is still unacceptable,’ Victoria said quickly.

‘I’m quite happy to head up to the school now. We can let the headmaster and coach decide what they want to do when they have the full story laid out in front of them. I believe the headmaster has a fourteen-year-old daughter. I’m sure he’d have a lot to say on the matter.’

‘Christ, Sebastian.’ Victoria held her head in her hands. ‘What have you done?’

Sebastian threw his hands into the air. ‘You and Dad keep banging on and on about how much you want me to play and how I should be on the team and not wasting my time on the bench. Dad is always going on about how he was the captain and star player and I need to work harder and get on the pitch and … I’m never good enough. Never. You keep pushing and pushing – you put so much bloody pressure on me all the time.’ Sebastian burst into tears.

‘Pathetic crocodile tears,’ Sophie said.

‘No sympathy for the little prick,’ Gavin agreed.

I felt a little bit sorry for him. He was only a sixteen-year-old kid after all, and his parents clearly did push him all the time. Still, his actions had made my Liam cry, so ultimately my sympathy was short-lived.

Louise was clearly unmoved too. ‘Right. In that case I suggestyou contact Coach Long, tell him you’re injured – you can figure out what injury you have – and that you’re not fit to play.’

‘Okay, we’ll do that.’ Victoria actually looked relieved. Louise had really done a number on her.

‘Oh, I haven’t finished,’ Louise said. ‘You will also inform Coach Long that you said something to Liam that was truly awful and that you deserved to be punched. You will not divulge what you said, obviously, but you will tell him that Liam deserves to be back on the team and that you, Sebastian, take full responsibility for what happened and are deeply sorry.’

‘Fine,’ Sebastian said, rubbing his eyes hard with his hands.

‘When I receive notice from my sister that Liam has been reinstated in the team, I will shred the legal papers I drew up against you. Until then, they will stay on my desk. I recommend you head up to the school now and sort this out.’

Louise got up to leave, and Sebastian and Victoria’s pale, shocked faces left the screen. We were back to looking at their knees.

‘One final thing, Sebastian. Not only will Jessica’s name never come out of your mouth again, you will never speak to her again or look in her direction. And going forward, I advise you very strongly to think before you act. This could have ended very badly for you.’

‘I think you’ve said enough,’ Victoria said, moving to stand in front of her son. ‘Sebastian will speak to his coach immediately and this sorry episode will be over.’

We watched as Louise’s feet walked back across the tiled hallway. In the background we heard Victoria scream, ‘How could you be so stupid? You’ve ruined everything!’ Then Louise’s feet walked out through the front door and down the stone steps. We heard the door slammed shut behind her.

Louise came around the corner. Sophie darted out of the car and threw her arms around her. I followed with Gavin.

‘Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,’ Sophie gushed. ‘You were magnificent.’

I leaned in for a hug. ‘You were incredible, Louise. Honestly, I’m in awe.’

‘The baddest badass in town!’ Gavin high-fived her.

Louise grinned. ‘I need a drink. It’s a lot harder when you’re emotionally involved. I wanted to do my best by Jess.’

‘You did, you so, so did. I am for ever in your debt.’ Sophie began to cry.

‘Hey, you’ve all been amazing to me with Clara and Marco. I owe you all.’

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