Page 82 of Good Sisters

At half-time Castle Academy were six points ahead. I thought the triplets were playing brilliantly. But Dad had quite a bit to say about Leo.

‘He needs to work on his upper-body strength. He’s missed a few key tackles.’

‘I thought he was great.’ I defended my son.

‘He’s the weakest link. He’ll have to up his game or he’ll get dropped. Liam’s kicking is off too. Luke is the only one playing well.’

‘Do you really think so, George?’ Harry looked panic-stricken.

‘Dad,’ I eyeballed him, ‘I only want to hear positive comments, okay? Keep your negative thoughts to yourself. I think they’re all playing fantastically well and I’m very proud.’

He huffed, ‘I’m only saying I’ve seen them play better. Sure all I want is for them to shine like the stars they are. Besides, you’ve barely watched the game, between cooing at the baby and chatting to your sisters.’

‘I agree with Julie. I think they’re doing really well,’ Sophie said. Considering she’d spent most of the match watching Jess and checking Instagram, I wasn’t that confident in her opinion.

‘Jack?’ I asked my brother-in-law, who had actually played rugby.

‘Look, there are always things players can work on, but they’re a solid team and the triplets are a key part of it.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I wanna be like the big boys,’ Robert said.

‘You will, buddy. We’ll send you to Castle Academy too.’

‘Really?’ Sophie seemed surprised.

‘Definitely.’

‘Aw, it’ll be lovely for him to be with his cousins,’ I said. ‘Is Pippa keen too?’

Jack sighed. ‘If I make it seem like it was her decision, we’ll be okay. Otherwise, she’ll just disagree for the sake of it.’

‘Mummy, how long more?’ Clara asked.

Louise, who had spent most of the game typing into her phone, looked up. ‘Actually, I have to go now. There’s a problem in work, another Zoë balls-up. God, I’m so sick of that girl. Clara, do you want to stay with Gavin and Granddad or come to the office with me?’

‘Quiet office, please.’ Clara was delighted to be going. ‘I don’t understand rugby. Why do boys want to hurt each other and fall down chasing a ball that isn’t even round?’

‘You have a point there,’ Louise said.

‘For the love of God!’ Dad was at breaking point.

We waved them goodbye.

The second half went well, I thought. Dad, however, continued to give out and curse and mutter throughout. When it was over, with a comfortable win for our team, he turned around beaming and said, ‘I’m a very proud grandfather today.’

‘You hid it well,’ I grumbled.

‘Ah, that was just me wanting them to do their best and stand out, Julie.’

‘Well, you can sit beside someone else at the next match. You totally stressed me out.’

Gavin rearranged his papoose. ‘Dad never praised me. He always told me what I did wrong in my football matches.’

‘I just wanted you to get better, and you did.’

‘A bit of praise wouldn’t have gone amiss.’

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