Page 105 of The In-Laws

‘You’re less grumpy and nicer.’

Katie felt a lump form in her throat. ‘Was I very grumpy?’

‘No, but you were snappy in the mornings and always had a headache. But you haven’t had a headache inaaaages.’

Two weeks to a nine-year-old was a long time. Katie crouched down. ‘I’m really sorry for being snappy. I love you and Toby so much, and I want to be the best mum in the world.’

‘You were never bad – except the day you were mean to Granny. You were quite good, but now you’re better.’

‘I’m so proud of you, Lucy, you’re so clever and smart. I’m in awe of how much you read and how well you do in all your tests.’

Lucy smiled. ‘Granny says I get my brains from Daddy.’

Of course she bloody does.

Katie tried to keep her positive thoughts positive, but it was difficult when it came to Nancy.

‘Well, she’s right. Daddy is very clever.’

‘Why don’t you read books, Mum?’

Katie coughed to try to shift the lump in her throat. ‘I … I’ve just never been very good at it. I wish I was better.’

‘Granny says the more you read, the cleverer you are.’

‘Yes, she’s right, but it’s not that easy for everyone. Some people find it hard to read and are better at more creativethings. Everyone is different, we all need to remember that.’

Lucy wrinkled her nose. ‘I suppose so. Lainey isamaaaaazingat drawing but hopeless at spelling, and I’m brilliant at spelling and not very good at art.’

‘Well, there you go. Everyone has different talents, but you’re both as clever as each other.’

‘What’s your talent, Mum?’

Surviving, Katie thought.Surviving my lonely childhood, my wild teen years, knowing Jamie was the one for me and putting up with his mother and now … life without my crutch, alcohol.‘I think I’m kind and I’m good at making people feel better when I do their hair.’

‘You are kind and you are good at hair, but I never want to be a hairdresser. It’s boring. I want to have a really interesting job like Granny.’

Nancy had really done a number on her. It was actually upsetting to see the extent to which she had run Katie down in Lucy’s eyes – she had very successfully painted her as the brainless, boring non-achiever. Poisonous bitch indeed.

‘Okay, time to go in.’ Katie nudged Lucy towards her class before she crushed her good mood.

The three sisters-in-law sat on their towels.

‘Fifteen days and not a drop,’ Katie said.

‘I’m very proud of you. It’s not easy to give up alcohol. You’re doing really well,’ Amanda said.

‘Thanks.’

‘Absolutely,’ Melanie agreed. ‘I’m sure it’s very tough on difficult days, but you seem perkier already.’

‘That could be more to do with the freezing swim wejust had.’ Katie grinned. ‘If you ever see me reaching for a glass at a family lunch – if I’m ever allowed to attend one again – stop me. I know I’ll have wobbly days.’

‘How’s the counselling going?’ Amanda asked.

‘Tough, but really good. How’s Theo?’

Amanda smiled. ‘He’s doing really well, thanks. He’s communicating with me. We’ve had some intensely emotional but important conversations. He’s really opened up and seems much happier. I haven’t told Ross yet. He’s been so stressed out sorting the legal stuff with Ruby that I decided to wait. Besides, he’ll just get angry with Theo and that never helps.’

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