Page 31 of Good Sisters

‘I said that, and Jude said you must be a slut to be with my daddy for only one night and not know where he is. What’s a slut? What does it mean?’

The little prick. I’d be having a word with Miss Rogers first thing in the morning.

‘First of all, “slut” is a really horrible word and Jude should never have used it. Second, you mustn’t worry about what other people say. The important thing is that you have a mummy who adores you and aunties and uncles and cousins and a granddad who all love you so much.’

Clara looked up at me. ‘I know that, Mummy, but I want to find my daddy. He’s my daddy and he might want to find me too because I’m his little girl. And I think we could find him because Christelle found Uncle Harry after a long time. It’s the same.’

‘No, it’s not the same,’ I said gently. ‘Christelle’s mummy knew Uncle Harry’s name. I’m so sorry, sweetheart, but I don’t know your daddy’s name.’

‘I bet if you tried really hard, you could remember. You’re so clever and you always fix problems. I bet my daddy wouldbe happy to know about the incredible surprise that happened.’

How was I going to get out of this? It was a drunken one-night stand and I could barely remember the sex, never mind his name. I was not proud of myself. It was a very out-of-character mistake, but I’d got my precious Clara from it, so I had no regrets.

‘Darling, there are some things even I can’t fix, but I love you more than enough for ten mummies and daddies. Now, will we watchCasablanca?’

Clara pushed me away. ‘I want you to find my daddy.’ She pressed play on her phone as ‘Fernando’ filled the air and she closed her eyes. ‘Go away, Mummy. I want to be on my own.’

I left her room, locked myself into the bathroom, buried my face in a towel and wept. I cried for my lost mother, my confused child and because I knew Clara would not let go of this request … ever.

9. Sophie

I answered the door in my pyjamas. Who was calling at seven in the morning? Rubbing sleep out of my eyes, I opened the door.

Pippa, dressed to the nines and perfectly made-up, stood in front of me with Robert. Hang on, this was not planned. Why was she dropping him over today?

‘It’s well for some lounging around in their pyjamas,’ she said.

‘It’s seven o’clock in the morning. What are you doing here?’

‘A last-minute work thing cropped up so I need you to drop Robert to school and get Jack to collect him. I’ll pick him up from school tomorrow.’

‘Jack’s got clients over from the UK. He can’t swan off at two o’clock to pick up Robert and neither can I.’

Pippa spun on her heel and hurried down the path. ‘You’ll figure it out.’

‘PIPPA!’ I roared after her, as she climbed into a waiting taxi. ‘You can’t keep doing this!’

The taxi sped away and all I saw was the back of her glossy blow-dried head.

‘Can nobody collect me from school?’ Robert’s lip wobbled.

I bent down. ‘Sorry, pet, of course we can. I’ll sort something out. Don’t worry at all.’ I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring hug. ‘Come on inside. Are you hungry?’

‘Yes, very. Mummy didn’t have time to give me breakfast and I only haded crackers for my dinner.’

Jesus, Pippa, what was going on? This was getting out of control. The poor little mite was clearly starving.

Jack came down to find Robert sitting up at the counter, stuffing himself with slices of toast and a mountain of scrambled eggs. ‘Hey, buddy, this is a nice surprise.’ He kissed his son’s head, then looked at me.

‘Pippa had a last-minute work thing, so Robert is staying with us for the night.’ I tried to sound breezy in front of Robert and not boiling with rage.

Jack’s jaw set. ‘Another one. Wow, she’s busy.’

‘Mmm, she sure is.’ I left the kitchen and signalled for Jack to follow me into the hallway.

‘She didn’t feed him last night or this morning. The poor kid is starving. She’s getting worse, Jack.’

‘Jesus Christ.’ Jack looked really upset.

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