Page 162 of Good Sisters

‘Sì, football.’ Marco was straight up and over to the boys.

‘I’m striker,’ Jess said.

‘I goalie,’ Marco said.

‘Other goalie,’ Harry said.

‘Defence.’ Jack stretched his hamstrings.

Anna went over to sit with Clara, who was playing with Miracolo.

The rest of the family sat at the table, watching the stunning sight as the sun set behind the hills. Louise came out with two bottles of champagne.

‘I kept these for a family toast.’ She poured the glasses and raised hers. ‘Thank you all for being here. It honestly means the world to me that you all came over to see us in Italy, meet Anna and celebrate Clara’s birthday, but this is a celebration of so much more. It’s a celebration of my family. I honestly could not have got through the last year without your support.’

‘Right back at you,’ Julie said.

‘I feel the same,’ Sophie added.

‘It’s a magical place,’ Julie noted. ‘Thanks so much for having us all over.’

They watched Clara playing with Miracolo while Anna looked on, beaming at her granddaughter.

‘Clara seems to have warmed to Anna,’ Julie said.

‘Yes, she has. It was a slow start and I really had to be firm with Anna and ban her from touching Clara, but she gets it now and she’s taking it slowly. Clara let her hug her for three seconds yesterday, which was a big breakthrough.’

‘I’m so glad it all worked out with Marco too. He’s fantastic with her,’ Julie said.

‘He really is. Honestly, Julie, I couldn’t have wished for a better dad. He’s so gentle and caring with her.’

‘Like Dad with us,’ Sophie added.

‘Ah, now, I wasn’t half as hands-on as all you modern dads,’ Dad admitted. ‘Anne did the heavy lifting.’

‘They were different times, Dad, and you were always there when we needed you,’ Sophie reassured him.

‘I see Gavin there with Lemon and I have to say, son, you’re brilliant with her.’

Gavin looked shocked. ‘Uhm, thanks.’

‘He so is. He’s the best daddy in the world. Honestly, he’s much better with her than I am. I’d be lost without him by my side,’ Shania gushed.

They beamed at each other over Lemon’s bald head.

‘Here, babe, let me take her and put her down. You enjoy your champagne. I’ll be back in a bit.’ Shania took Lemon inside.

‘I’d say Clara will find it hard to leave this heavenly place, and especially to leave Miracolo,’ Sophie said. ‘She’s devoted to that puppy. Could you bring him back to Dublin?’

Louise paused. Then, smiling at us, she said, ‘Actually, we’re not going home.’

Every face turned to stare at her. ‘What?’

‘Clara told me she wanted to stay here. She said she feels safe here and less stressed because it’s not noisy and busy like Dublin. I’ve thought about it long and hard and I’m going to give it a go. I’ve rented this house for a year. I’ll home-school Clara and she can live between me and Marco. Actually, Dad, I’ll need you to keep looking after Luna until I can organize for her to be sent over.’

‘Oh, my God, that’s huge news,’ Julie gasped. Louise was not a risk-taker: this was a big decision.

‘What about work?’ Sophie asked.

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