Page 42 of The In-Laws

‘I can’t read this word.’

Oh, no. Katie’s blood ran cold.

Lucy pushed her book in front of her mother and pointed at a word.

Reign.

Katie stared at the word. The letters danced in front of her eyes. Oh, God. Okay, think, Katie.

‘Mum?’

‘Hey, you know what? Let’s see which of the twins says it first. It can be like a little test.’

Lucy shook her head. ‘No. I just want you to tell me, Mum. I want to finish the chapter. It’s so good.’

‘Ah, come on, Lucy Lou.’ Ignoring her daughter, Katie took the book and went out to the twins. ‘Right! Which of you two can tell Lucy what this word is first? Winner gets an extra packet of M&Ms.’

‘Reign,’ Janis shouted.

Rain? Katie looked at the letters. How the hell did they make that sound? She never would have got it. Never. Lucy was only nine: how on earth would she be able to helpher daughter as she got older? If the twins hadn’t been there, what would she have done? It was getting harder to fudge Lucy when she needed help. How could a child who was so bright get ahead with a mother who was so stupid?

Katie went back into the stockroom and pulled a vodka bottle out from where the staff kept their Friday-night drinks supply under the sink. She poured a large quantity into her Coke, took a long gulp, pulled her shoulders back, forced her mouth into a smile and went back out with the hair dye.

Happy Katie, fun Katie … Distract and deflect like you always have.

She cranked the music louder. ‘Let’s get this glow-up started.’

Pressed into the corner of the couch, her daughter covered her ears and continued to read.

15. Melanie

Melanie held Sloane’s hand as they walked through the fancy hotel lobby towards the room where the Goldstone awards gala dinner was taking place. Sloane gripped her hand so tightly, Melanie thought she might break a bone. Ahead of them, Melanie saw Ross helping his mother, hobbling in her new boot and crutches, to reach their table.

Melanie had had to go to Sloane’s hotel room to help her author get ready and avoid a meltdown. The fact that she had got Sloane down the stairs was a miracle. Sloane had insisted Melanie fly to London with her, and stay by her side every second. She had refused to speak to anyone else and had spent the plane and taxi rides with sunglasses on and a hat pulled down low on her head.

It was seven o’clock and Melanie was exhausted already. She desperately wanted Sloane to win, but she was worried that the poor woman would have a complete nervous breakdown if she did.

The room was packed with publishers, agents, authors, the literary great and good, and a few puffed-up peacocks too. Melanie had been an agent long enough to know who to avoid and how to spot an inflated ego a mile away. With Sloane gripping her hand, she could only nod and thank people who wished them luck as they rushed by. They finally got to their table, where Sloane sank into her chair with a deep sigh of relief.

‘Sloane, we’ve ordered champagne to celebrate you,’ Ross boomed, as he handed her a glass of fizz.

Sloane shook her head. ‘I don’t drink.’

Melanie poured her author some water. Sloane’s hands shook as she lifted it to her lips.

Frank, whom Melanie had placed on Sloane’s other side, leant over. ‘It’s a lot to take in,’ he said gently. ‘I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed myself and I’m not a nominee.’

‘My anxiety is …’ Sloane put a hand to her chest.

Frank patted her shoulder gently and, in his very calm way, said, ‘You know, I’ve learnt over many years of therapy that anxiety is not a bad thing. Our sympathetic nervous system does what it does and, actually, it’s very healthy and good for us. We just need to make sure it doesn’t get out of control. I find one of the best ways to control it is the five-four-three-two-one technique.’

‘What’s that?’ Sloane’s breathing was already less panicky.

‘You have to name five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can feel, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Do you want to try it?’ Frank asked.

Sloane nodded. Melanie could have kissed her husband. Sometimes she forgot how lovely he was.

‘Okay, what five things do you see?’

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