Page 96 of Good Sisters

I shook my head. ‘No chance. I’ve a crazy few weeks coming up in work and I’m still trying to manage Zoë, the worst intern in the history of interns.’ I turned a sachet of sugar between my fingers. ‘I dunno, Dad, I’m beginning to wonder, what’s it all about?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I’m working long hours, trying to juggle single-parenting, putting money aside for Clara, because who knows what kind of job or career she’ll have? But am I missing out on life? Should I be spending more quality time with her? I have no life outside work and Clara. I don’t have time for anything else. Do I want to work in a firm where I’m beholden to the managing partner and have to babysit his wretched goddaughter? Is this what I want to do for the next fifteen years?’

Dad poured more coffee into my cup. ‘When something big happens in your life it throws up all of these questions. Losing your mum and now finding Marco has turned your life upside-down. It’s normal to question things. And you’re also at a stage in your career where you’ve achieved greatthings. Now you have to think about the future and what you really want from life. Maybe you need a better work-life balance. Could you go to a four-day week?’

‘I don’t think so. I could work from home, but that’s still working.’

‘Don’t make any rash decisions. Take time to let everything that’s happened sink in. When I retired, I was lost. Work was such a huge part of my life. It took a while to adjust. I should have cut back slowly instead of working full-time and retiring overnight. I drove your poor mother mad at first because I didn’t know what to be doing with myself all day. She found me jobs, got me into the golf and helped me navigate retirement. My advice to you is to take your time. Deal with the Marco situation first and then, when your head is clearer, think about what you really want for the future.’

‘Thanks, Dad. It helps to talk about it. My head is scrambled at the moment.’ I glanced at my watch. It was nine thirty and my sisters still hadn’t come down. ‘Speaking of Marco, we’re going to be late if Sophie and Julie don’t hurry up.’

Dad laughed. ‘They were the same getting up for school. They never wanted to get out of bed. You were always up and dressed before they’d even opened their eyes.’

Dad and I went up to knock on their door. We had a lot to do and no time to waste.

Sophie answered the door in pink silk pyjamas with her matching sleep mask pushed up on her forehead.

‘It’s nine thirty, come on. Get up. Louise has a big day ahead.’ Dad clapped his hands together.

‘Sorry, we stayed up for ages chatting,’ Sophie croaked.

Julie was lying in the bed with the duvet over her head.

‘I just need a little more sleep.’ She groaned.

‘Julie! Your sister needs to get going, she has important matters to attend to,’ Dad said sharply.

‘Okay, keep your hair on.’

Julie scrambled out of bed. Her hair was all over the place and she was wearing an oversized T-shirt. ‘How are you feeling?’ she asked me.

‘Tired and stressed, but I went for a run and had some coffee and a chat with Dad and I feel a little calmer now.’

‘God, Louise, you’re amazing. When I’m tired and stressed I stay in bed, eat junk food and feel worse,’ Julie said.

‘I can’t drink coffee when I’m stressed. It makes me too jumpy,’ Sophie said.

I could feel my overstretched patience wearing very thin. ‘As much as I’d love to stand here and analyse what you do and don’t do when you’re stressed, I need you to get your arses downstairs ASAP. We’re going to Marco’s farm.’

‘He’s so lovely, Louise. You can just tell he’s a good man,’ Julie gushed.

‘Such kind eyes, and his smile!’ Sophie said.

I fiddled with my necklace. ‘We’ll see. It’s baby steps for now.’

‘I’m so happy for you.’

Oh, no, Julie was getting emotional.

‘For the love of God, Julie, we haven’t time for tears. Get dressed,’ Dad said firmly. ‘Less talking, more moving. Hurry up.’ He left the room.

Julie threw on a crumpled top and jeans from the bottom of her suitcase. ‘I need coffee and food,’ she said.

‘The kitchen is about to close.’

Julie rushed out the door.

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