Page 62 of Good Sisters

‘Jess, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt because I think you’re being honest and I have to trust you, but if you ever sneak any boy into this house behind our backs again, I will ground you for a very, very long time. Are we clear?’

She nodded.

‘I know you don’t believe me, but teenage boys only have one thing on their minds – at all times.’

She blushed. ‘Please stop talking.’

‘Sex. Remember that. If Sebastian wants to call in, he will only do so when a parent is present. Is that clear?’

‘Yes.’

‘I want to be able to trust you, Jess. I’ve a lot going on with Pippa and Robert and work, so please behave and don’t make stupid decisions.’

‘I won’t.’

‘Okay. I’m going to bed now. I’m taking your phone. You can read a book.’

‘Muuuum, it’s only ten.’

‘Jess, you’re on very thin ice here. You’re extremely lucky I’m not grounding you.’

‘Okay, fine.’

I kissed her head. ‘I love you and I know you think I’m hard on you, but it’s my job to protect you.’

‘I know, but you’re way stricter than most parents.’

‘Well, you’re stuck with me and I’m not that awful. Would you prefer Pippa as your mother?’

‘Obviously not. I feel sorry for Robert. He’s lucky he has Dad and you.’

I folded Jess’s school jumper and placed it on her desk. ‘I keep hoping Pippa will turn a corner and become more maternal, but she seems to be getting worse.’

‘Even when she was with Dad, he did everything for Robert. She’s just not a mother type,’ Jess said.

‘I’ve never met anyone like her. She just doesn’t seem to care about Robert. Louise wasn’t maternal at first either, but pretty soon she fell head over heels for Clara and she’s turned out to be an incredible mother. Pippa seems to be less interested in Robert than ever. It’s really sad.’

‘We’ll just have to love him extra hard.’

I smiled at her. ‘Yes, we will. Goodnight, love.’

‘Night, Mum.’ She turned her back to me.

I tapped her on the shoulder. ‘Jess, hand it over.’

‘Okay.’ She reluctantly gave me her phone.

I left her room and made my way to bed. It might only be ten o’clock but I was shattered. It had been a long day and I was now freaking out about Pippa and Sebastian. I doubted I’d get much sleep. I’d have to try to tackle Jack again about Pippa, and I’d have to watch Jess like a hawk.

16. Julie

On Saturday, Marion, my sisters and I were in the kitchen preparing food for the ninety-four people coming to our pre-cup rugby party. I had roped them in to help me, and to stop me freaking out.

Marion checked the oven. ‘Looking good, Julie. I reckon we can take the curry out in ten minutes and leave it in the warming drawer.’

‘Thanks so much for coming early to help. I could never have done this without you all.’

I had completely underestimated how much prepping and chopping and cooking I’d have to do to feed so many people, thirty-six of whom were ravenous boys who ate families of chickens every day.

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