Page 79 of Good Sisters

Dad shuffled about beside me. You could have cut the air with a knife.

‘In case you’re interested, Dad, her full name is Lemon Anne Devlin,’ Gavin said.

‘Oh,’ Dad said quietly. ‘Well, that’s lovely, son. Your mother would be very pleased.’

I held out the baby. Dad took her in his arms.

‘Well, hello there, little Lem– little one. I’m your granddad and your granny is smiling down at you, I can promise you that. She’d have surely loved to meet you.’

I swallowed back tears and saw that my siblings were all doing the same. Gavin wiped one away. Mum loved babies. She would have been so happy to see Gavin, her only son and the apple of her eye, become a father.

Dad rocked the baby and gazed into her sweet little face. ‘Mind you, she would have struggled with the fruit-naming side of things.’

‘DAD!’ all four of us said at once. Thankfully, Shania started laughing.

19. Julie

I ripped open the box and pulled out the scarves and hats. They were almost an identical match to the colour of the school jerseys. A tiny bit brighter, maybe, but close enough. There was a letter inside thanking me for supporting the local business and wishing the team all the best for the season. I bet I wouldn’t have had that personal touch from Atelier de Cashmere.

I wrapped a scarf around my neck. If I was being totally honest, the scarf did feel a bit itchy, but it was warm and it looked good.

Marion came in. ‘Ah, they arrived.’

‘Yes, what do you think?’

‘They look great, really cosy.’

She put one on. ‘Oh,hellooooooo, my name is Jemima Stockport Aitken and Jones, and my son is thestaaarof the team.’

We burst out laughing.

‘Do you think Victoria will be happy?’ I asked.

‘Fuck, no. These are proper woolly sheep scarves, not soft baby’s arse scarves. She’ll hate them.’

She was right, but I no longer cared. I pulled out my ‘Rugby’ notebook and ran through all the orders. Marion helped me package them up and wrote the family name on each individual bag. Honestly, it was like running a business.

‘Who are the McAndrews? They’ve ordered ten scarves and hats. How many kids do they have?’

I grinned. ‘Six kids and they want one each for the granddads. They’re a lovely family. No airs and graces.’

Marion shook her head. ‘It’s all a bit mad, but in another way I kind of envy you. I know it’s over the top, but there is a real sense of community and coming together about it all. You’re in a kind of bubble and there’s an in-it-all-together kind of vibe.’

She was right in a way. Aside from some of the nonsense and a few annoying parents, most people were really nice and there was camaraderie and team spirit among the boys.

‘I just think because Harry and I didn’t go to private schools and aren’t used to all this hot-housing, fuss and hoopla, we find it a bit uncomfortable. But I do see how much the boys are getting out of it and for that reason I’m going to try to embrace their first cup match today.’

‘You should. The boys will remember this time in their lives for ever.’ Marion stood up. ‘Right, I’d better go. I’ve to bring Molly to the dentist to get a letter from him saying she desperately needs braces. Her prick of a father is saying her teeth are fine because he doesn’t want to pay for them. She looks like Bugs fucking Bunny. I wish he’d just be a decent father and not fight me on every penny. I never overspend, buy nothing for myself, just want our daughter to have some hope of finding a lad and not end up living alone gnawing on fucking carrots.’

‘It’s awful for you to have to go through all this hassle. You know I’d be happy to –’

Marion held up her hand. ‘Stop. I know you’d pay for the braces in a second, but our friendship is not going to be you looking after me financially. I really appreciate that you let me stay here once a month. I will never let you pay for anything else. But thanks for the offer.’

Marion had been adamant since the day we inherited all the money that I never give her a penny. She wanted our friendship to stay as it was and I admired her and loved her for it.

‘Right, go to the match and good luck to the lads.’

‘Thanks.’ I headed off with a boot full of woolly goods.

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