Page 158 of Good Sisters

‘Ha-ha, very funny. No, Dad, no speeches. It’ll just be a really small family wedding. Nothing like the circus our first wedding was. We’re going to the registry office and then having a family lunch at home. I don’t need two hundredguests, some of whom I barely know. I just want you guys. It’s kind of a new beginning for us, now we’re officially a family of four. Jack really wants to do it, so I’m going with it. It’ll be nice and Jess is so thrilled. It’s so lovely to see her excited about something again. I think she was always secretly worried that Jack and I might break up again, so I’m happy to show her that we’re fully committed to each other.’

‘Can we do it abroad, somewhere warm and sunny?’ Julie asked.

‘Yes! Shania and I could do with a break,’ Gavin agreed.

‘Poor you. Are you worn out working part-time?’ I smirked at him.

‘Yes, actually, I am, because it’s not part-time. Three weeks in and I’m running the whole production side of the business already and looking after Lemon in the afternoons. I don’t want to hear any more crap about men not being able to multitask.’

‘Good for you,’ Julie said. ‘I need a better balance in my life. I’m too invested in the kids. I need something for me.’

‘Go for it, Julie. It would be good for you to have your own identity outside the house,’ I encouraged her.

‘It really helped me,’ Sophie admitted. ‘Although I was forced back to work due to being broke, I enjoyed earning my own money. It gave me my confidence back. Mind you, I have to admit that the modelling world is losing its shine for me, and with Robert to look after and his school schedule, it’s going to be tricky to juggle the long hours. I need to have a chat with Jack and really dig down into how we’re going to manage everything going forward.’

‘It’ll be hard on you, Sophie,’ Julie said.

‘I know, but it’s my new reality.’

‘How are you, Dad?’ I asked.

‘Ah, sure, ticking along.’

‘With Pat by his side,’ Julie added.

‘Really? More dates?’ I raised an eyebrow at Dad.

Dad cleared his throat. ‘A few.’

‘Do you like her?’ Sophie asked.

‘She’s a nice woman. A lot more considerate and kind than Dolores. Less forceful.’

‘She always seemed nice,’ I said.

‘Bring her over for coffee next week,’ Julie said.

‘Really?’ Dad was surprised.

‘You deserve to have companionship in your life, and I’d like to have her over.’

‘Can I come?’ Sophie asked.

‘Me too. Can you do afternoon coffee?’ Gavin asked.

‘Me three. I’ll be home on Sunday and I’m still on leave from work.’

‘I’d better go, Lemon’s kicking off,’ Gavin said, as Lemon roared in the background.

‘Hold on!’ Sophie waved her hands.

‘What?’ Gavin asked.

‘Are you all free the weekend of the 12th?’

‘Yes,’ we all answered.

‘Good, because Jack and I are going to get married on the Saturday, and after the registry office bit we want you to come to a lunch here at the house to celebrate.’

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