Page 139 of Good Sisters

We watched as the milk began to seep out of the bottom of the soggy bottle. Lemon roared to be fed.

‘Mmm. Forest may need to rethink his new career.’ I pointed to the milk dripping all over Sophie’s countertop.

‘Does he have a plan B?’ Julie giggled.

‘Gavin!’ Sophie got a cloth to wipe the spilled milk.

‘For fuck sake,’ Gavin hissed as Lemon tried, in vain, to suck the milk down from the soggy teat.

‘Jesus, will you give the poor child a proper bottle before she has a complete meltdown?’ I ordered him.

‘Fine.’ He put the bottle down and handed a very cross Lemon to Julie, who cooed at her, while he rummaged around in his hairy bag. He pulled out a regular baby bottle. ‘Shania made me pack this, just in case.’

‘Shania is the best thing that ever happened to you,’ Sophie remarked.

‘I know,’ Gavin agreed. He poured the remaining milk into the new bottle and held the teat to Lemon’s lips. She guzzled it, making happy baby grunting and sucking noises.

We were enjoying the peace when we heard loud thumping on the kitchen door. ‘JULIE!’

We all jumped. Harry was standing outside the kitchen door, red-faced. ‘We need to go! This is a very big day for our sons.’

‘Hi, Harry, how are the nerves?’ Sophie opened the door.

‘Not good. I’ve been awake since three a.m.’ Harry rubbed his eyes. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous.’

‘Don’t worry, Harry. With Liam back on the team they’ll be unbeatable,’ Jess said.

‘That’s sweet of you to say, Jess. I hope so, but theopposition are strong. Their out-half has a ninety per cent kicking success rate.’

‘You’ve lost me now, Harry.’ Sophie laughed.

‘Harry, the boys have done you and all of us proud, no matter what happens today,’ Gavin said. ‘And as far as I’m concerned, you’re a legend for having raised triplets. I’m struggling with one kid.’

Harry patted Gavin on the back. ‘It’s not easy, mate, but you’re doing a great job. It does get easier.’

‘I don’t know. I think it gets harder,’ Sophie said.

‘Me too,’ I added.

‘Jeez, thanks, sisters, kick a guy while he’s down.’

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, you have a beautiful, healthy child and a wife who is taking over the global fake-tan market. Stop moaning.’ I refused to indulge his whinging.

‘No wonder you’re having problems with your intern if you talk to her like that.’ Gavin held Lemon on his shoulder and burped her.

‘Oh, please, I can’t look at Zoë sideways without her mental health being affected when really she’s as tough as old boots underneath her snowflake bullshit.’

‘Much as I’d love to stay and debate how Louise handles her minions at work, I’d like to be on time to see my sons play in the most important match of their lives.’ Harry rattled his car keys. ‘Julie, will you for the love of God get into the car?’

‘Keep your hair on. We’re not going to be late.’ Julie grabbed her woolly hat and scarf and the cashmere coat Sophie had made her buy. As ‘mother of the captains’, Sophie had told her, she had to look respectable and her old puffer jacket was not suitable. I agreed completely.

We all left, me to the office with Clara in tow, while the rest of my family piled into Harry’s huge seven-seater car andheaded off to the big match. To be honest, I was glad of the excuse not to go, I found rugby boring, plus it was cold and windy. Besides, I now had that bloody PowerPoint to add to my never-ending list of things to do.

33. Sophie

Jess and I sat in the very back, leaving the middle seats for Gavin and Lemon. I was happy to be in the back: Lemon was a projectile-vomiter and I didn’t want my nice coat covered with baby puke.

‘I presume Dad’s coming.’ Gavin strapped Lemon’s car seat in.

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