Page 65 of Good Sisters

‘Yeah, we want Jess to stay.’ The triplets put their arms around their cousin.

‘Why don’t you all stay for a drink?’ I suggested. ‘You’ve been so helpful, you deserve one. You can slip off when everyone arrives.’

‘No, I want Jess to –’

Before Sophie had time to argue, the boys hustled Jess out of the kitchen.

‘Fuck one drink, I’m staying for the whole night. I want to meet these cashmere-obsessed freaks.’ Marion pulled off her apron and pulled her glittery top even lower so her cleavage was fully on show. ‘And you never know, there might be a divorced dad with a big bank account who’s looking for a woman with saggy boobs, back fat, no money, four kids and a shedload of baggage. I’m a serious fucking catch.’

‘You are a good catch! You’re the best friend.’ I side-hugged her. ‘But just so we’re clear, you will not have sex with any single dads, or any of the coaches. Harry will literally have a heart attack and I need him alive to get through this rugby campaign.’

‘I’ll be on my best behaviour.’

‘I’ll stay for a quick drink, then head home,’ Louise said. ‘Dad’s looking after Clara and I know he’s a bit nervous about her bedtime routine. I promised I’d be back by eight thirty.’

‘Aww, it’s great that he’s trying to help out more,’ I said. Good for Dad, he really was making an effort.

‘Me too, and then I’ll drag Jess out of here,’ Sophie said.

I took off my apron. She came over to adjust my belt and fix my lipstick. ‘Now you look perfect. The gorgeous mother of three captains.’

‘Thanks, sis. I’m glad you’re all staying for a bit. I could use the moral support.’

Sophie applied blusher to her cheeks. ‘To be honest, I’m dying to see what Victoria and the other mums are wearing,’ she admitted. ‘I may not be able to afford designer clothes any more, but I still love looking at them.’

I headed for the fridge and the bottles of prosecco. ‘Right, let’s open a bottle of fizz!’

My sisters and Marion gathered with me in our big hallway and watched as a stream of Range Rovers, Lexuses, Audis and BMWs blocked up our entire road. The parents and players all made a beeline for our front door. The triplets took their coats as they entered and Jess pitched in to guide them to the living room and the drinks table. Every time the bell rang, Jess jumped to open the door.

Victoria was the last to arrive, gliding through the door in a floor-length fur coat.

‘How many rabbits died to keep you warm?’ Marion asked, as Victoria wriggled out of it.

She stared at her. ‘I’m sorry, who are you?’

‘Marion, my good friend,’ I introduced them.

‘Be careful with my coat,’ Victoria ordered, as Leo held it casually, the bottom trailing on the hall floor. ‘It’s chinchilla, actually,’ she said to Marion.

Behind her, I saw Leo stamp on the hem of her coat.

‘Aren’t they rodents?’ Marion said. ‘Like the poor cousins of squirrels or something?’

Louise snorted while Sophie tried not to laugh.

‘They most certainly are not,’ Victoria glared at her.

‘Actually, they are. Chinchillas are crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha,’ Louise said.

‘What?’ Victoria glared at Louise.

‘You could have saved a right few quid and skinned a few squirrels. There are loads in my local park.’ Marion was enjoying herself.

Sophie giggled.

Before Victoria could think of a nasty retort, Sebastian rushed in behind her. She stalked off in her designer outfit to find her husband.

‘Hi, sorry we’re so late,’ Sebastian said to Jess, not to me, his hostess.

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