Page 24 of Good Sisters

‘Oi, hands off my bird.’ Kelly strolled into the room.

‘She’s a diamond,’ I said.

‘Don’t I know it.’ Kelly grinned at Christelle and they kissed passionately.

‘Hello.’ Harry announced his presence loudly, looking everywhere except at his daughter and her girlfriend. He was delighted that Christelle was happy, but struggled with her and Kelly’s displays of affection. ‘It’s not the fact that she’s gay,’ he regularly said to me. ‘I don’t care if she’s with a boy or a girl, I just don’t need to see her with her tongue down someone’s throat. Why can’t they save it for when they’re alone?’

To be fair to him, they were very demonstrative. I think itwas Christelle’s French upbringing that made her very at home with being physical with her partner in front of others. Harry barely held my hand in public, never mind shoved his tongue down my throat.

‘Dad, catch.’ Liam threw a rugby ball across the kitchen at Harry who, despite his best efforts, completely fumbled the catch. I watched as the ball hit a bottle of wine, which toppled over and smashed on the floor.

‘I told you! No balls in the kitchen!’ I roared.

Christelle and Kelly finally stopped snogging and jumped up to help clean up the mess.

The doorbell rang. I could hear Tom running to open the door.

Dad, Gavin and a very pregnant Shania walked in. Dad looked exhausted and his shirt was crumpled. It needed a good iron. I made a mental note to take his shirts next time I called in.

‘How are you, Dad?’ I asked quietly.

‘Ah, sure, getting on with it. What else can I do?’

‘Are you sleeping? You look tired.’

He patted me on the shoulder. ‘Not much. It’s strange to be in a bed by yourself after decades of sharing. But don’t worry, pet, I’ll get used to it.’

‘I presume Julie told you the great news, George?’ Harry asked.

Dad beamed at the boys. ‘She certainly did, and I’m so proud of you all. What an achievement, the three of you together playing for your school. Incredible! I want a try from each of you.’ He ruffled the triplets’ hair one by one, which they absolutely hated.

‘Granddad, you’re ruining my trim,’ Luke grumbled.

Leo looked at his reflection in the window and tried to fix his hair.

‘Are you coming to our first game? It’s only a friendly butit’s against our main rivals, King’s College.’ Liam had cut his hair as short as possible so there was nothing to ruffle.

‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world. When is it?’ Dad asked.

‘Wednesday at three o’clock,’ Harry said.

Dad’s brow creased. ‘Oh, I think I might be tied up.’

‘By … I mean, with Dolores?’ Gavin winked at his father.

What? Was Dolores still sniffing around Dad like a dog in heat? He hadn’t mentioned her to me in weeks and I hadn’t seen any casserole dishes in the house. I thought she’d moved on to another unsuspecting widower.

Dad hung his jacket on the back of one of the chairs and ignored Gavin.

‘What are you tied up with?’ I wanted to know.

‘Ah, I think I have a golf thing on.’ Dad was vague and avoided eye contact.

‘Who are you playing with? Paddy and the boys?’

‘I’m not sure yet,’ he fudged.

Gavin picked up the rugby ball and threw it at Luke, who thankfully caught it. ‘Dad’s playing in a mixed day out with Dolores,’ he said.

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