Page 98 of Good Sisters

‘You could do with a few bread rolls. You’re too thin,’ Dad grumbled.

‘Do you think so?’ Sophie was thrilled.

Ping ping ping. Julie’s phone had been pinging non-stop since we left Dublin. It was doing my head in.

‘Julie, turn off your bloody notifications before I throw your phone into my coffee. It’s infuriating.’

‘I need to keep on top of it. If I turn them off, I’ll have hundreds to deal with when I get back to it.’

‘It’s a stupid, pointless WhatsApp group. Who cares?’ I had no patience for the WhatsApp nonsense.

Julie bristled. ‘It is actually important. Harry and I have to give out all the information the coaches give us about the games and all that.’

‘To be fair, you do need to keep on top of these school WhatsApp groups,’ Sophie said. ‘They’re incredibly annoying, but they keep you in the loop. Besides, Julie is the captains’ mum. It’s a big job.’

I snorted. ‘Come on, it’s a few messages about match times, not press officer to the White House. Julie, you said yourself a lot of it is people complaining or pontificating.’

‘True, but I don’t want to let the triplets down so I have to make sure everyone feels included and involved. I know what an outsider I felt at first in the school, so I want everyone, even the parents of boys who will never get to play, to feel part of the experience.’

‘Fine, but the constant pinging of your phone is too much.’

‘I agree with Louise. The notifications are relentless,’ Sophie said.

‘It’s ridiculous,’ Dad said. ‘You’re like a prisoner to that phone and Harry’s worse. He’s never off his.’

‘I know, Dad, and it drives me nuts too, but it’s only for a few more weeks.’

‘Fine, but for the rest of today I need you to put it on silent. My nerves are frayed enough,’ Dad said. ‘And Louise does not need it distracting her.’

Julie pulled out her phone as it pinged again and put it on silent. ‘Fine.’

‘Can we please go?’ I stood up. ‘Dad, you’re driving, I’ll navigate.’

‘What can I do?’ Julie asked.

‘Ideally, keep quiet,’ I snapped. I was feeling more andmore anxious, and all this prattling was starting to grate on me.

Julie did not look happy. ‘I’m giving you a pass because you’re stressed, Louise, but I suggest that you smile, not snarl, at Marco’s poor mother.’

Ignoring her, I headed out to the car.

Marco had texted me directions and thank God he had because we would never have found the farm otherwise. It was down the end of several winding and narrow old roads.

‘It’s certainly remote anyway,’ Dad said, as we turned the final corner and were met with a large farmhouse. The stone was a pale grey and the shutters on every window were painted sky blue, which gave the house a warm and welcoming feel. Acres of olive groves surrounded it.

‘It’s so pretty,’ Sophie said.

‘Gorgeous,’ Julie agreed.

‘I have to be honest, it’s much nicer than I imagined,’ Dad said.

The front door was open, and before we had come to a halt, Marco was rushing out, followed by his mother, who was a tiny woman with a head of snow-white hair. ‘Benvenuti!’ she cried, waving her arms.

‘Aww, she’s lovely,’ Julie said.

‘Julie!’ I snapped.

‘Jesus! Okay, fine, I’ll say nothing.’

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