Page 56 of Good Sisters

‘Speaking of Prada,’ I jumped in before Gavin got a lecture on employment, ‘I see you’re wearing the bag.’

Sophie patted the Prada bag I’d given her. ‘Yes. It’s the first chance I’ve had to use it – it’s too good for work. I absolutely love it.’ She beamed.

We ordered food, I ordered for Julie, and Dad poured us all wine.

‘None for me, thanks.’ Gavin put his hand over the wine glass.

‘How come?’ Sophie asked.

‘It’s not fair to Shania.’

‘What’s not fair to Shania?’ Julie plonked herself down beside him. ‘Sorry I’m late.’

‘Drinking,’ Gavin replied.

‘Why?’ I asked. Gavin loved his wine and beer.

‘Because she can’t, so I’ve decided not to either.’

‘I ate for two and Harry drank for two when I was pregnant.’ Julie laughed.

‘Jack was the same,’ Sophie said.

‘Well, I’m supporting my girlfriend on our pregnancy.’

‘Oh, God, can you please not do the we’re-pregnant-our-pregnancy thing?’ I said. ‘It makes me want to throw up. Like, seriously, you’re not pregnant. Shania is.’

‘Agreed.’ Sophie backed me up. ‘Her body is being put through the wringer and stretched in every direction and her vagina will never be the same again, while you’re just watching from the sidelines.’

‘You will not have saggy boobs, stretch marks and a scar across your body after the birth,’ Julie added.

‘Mother of God, can we change the subject?’ Dad groaned. ‘Every time I have dinner with you lot the conversation ends up in the nether regions. It’s enough to put a man off his food.’

‘Sorry, Dad,’ Julie said, giggling. ‘Have you decided on any names yet, Gavin?’

‘Yeah, but we’re not telling anyone because we know everyone will start giving us their opinions and we want to make up our own minds.’

‘Just make sure you give the child a sensible name,’ Dad said.

I doubted very much that Gavin and Shania were going to name their child John or Mary. Chances are it would be something a little left-field.

‘I see Shania’s got into even more stores in the US. She’sreally killing it with her tan,’ Sophie said. ‘You must be so proud of her.’

Gavin smiled. ‘I so am. She’s a rock star.’

‘I have to say she’s surprised me. She’s a very good business head on her,’ Dad said.

‘And she’ll be a great mum,’ I added. ‘She’s always been fantastic with Clara.’

‘I just wish that Mum would get to meet our baby,’ Gavin said quietly. ‘My baby will never know their granny.’

‘That sucks,’ Sophie said.

Dad fiddled with his napkin, twisting it around his hand. ‘I’m very sorry, son. Your mother would have been so excited to meet your baby. She was so good with the grandchildren. I’m not a patch on her and I know that. I suppose I don’t really know what to say to Jess now she’s a teenager, and I’m trying to get to know the boys through rugby, and sure Clara is a dote but I do worry about saying or doing the wrong thing and upsetting her. I wish I was more useful to you all. I can see the hole Anne has left in all of your lives. I never realized just how much I relied on her, especially since I retired. She organized everything – family get-togethers, holidays, days out, dinners with friends, birthday gifts, birthday cakes, trips to the cinema and the theatre … I got lazy and just let her do it all. I’m a bit lost, to be honest. I don’t know what to be doing with myself. Anne always had jobs for me, or an outing for us or a plan for the day. Now … well, now I wake up and I … well, I …’

‘Oh, Dad.’ Julie reached out and held his hand. ‘It’s awful for you.’

‘No, pet, it’s awful for all of us.’

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