Page 151 of Good Sisters
‘Yes.’ Gavin smirked.
‘Careful, Dad, you may cause a serious cat-fight up in thegolf club if you keep dating women from the same pool,’ I warned him.
‘I know of a very good sex line if you just need to, you know, release some tension,’ Marion chuckled.
‘Christ almighty, will you all put a sock in it? I’m trying to watch my grandsons.’
‘Pat’s nice. I always liked her,’ Sophie said.
Dad stood up and forced me to swap places with him. ‘I’m sitting beside the only sensible person here, Harry.’
‘Thanks a lot, George,’ Jack said.
‘You’re welcome to come over here too.’ Dad acknowledged Jack, who stood to move up beside the men, with Robert.
‘I want to stay with Jess and Sophie,’ Robert said.
‘Okay, buddy.’ Jack sat in beside Dad.
Liam caught the ball and passed it to Luke, who ran the length of the pitch and offloaded, at the last minute, to Leo, who dived over the line.
‘TRY!’ Harry roared. ‘Julie! Did you see it?’
I did – I had seen it. For once I hadn’t been chatting or distracted. I had seen my three sons score a beautiful try.
We jumped up and down and cheered loudly. I thought my heart would burst with pride.
‘Well, now, Anne would have loved to see this,’ Dad said.
We all smiled. Mum would have loved to see the boys shine. She’d have told everyone who’d listen about the try.
‘She’s watching and cheering.’ Louise squeezed Dad’s hand.
‘And telling everyone up there that the boys got their sporting ability from her,’ Sophie added.
We all had tears in our eyes.
I reached over and hugged Dad. ‘I miss her too,’ I said.
Lemon began to bawl and Dad looked like he was going to have a hernia at the noise. Jess offered to give her a bottle. Gavin gratefully handed her over.
Two rows up, Victoria said, ‘Who brings a baby to a rugby match, really and truly? The crying is distracting everyone.’
‘A devoted father,’ Sophie replied.
‘A supportive uncle,’ Louise said loudly.
‘A proud modern man,’ Dad said.
Gavin stared at him open-mouthed. ‘Did you hear that?’ he whispered to me.
‘Yep, modern man no less.’ I grinned.
‘Your gimpy kid isn’t even playing, so what are you moaning about?’ Marion shouted at Victoria.
I looked at Jess, who giggled. I winked at her.
The match continued at a ferocious pace. We were ahead. Then Rockford Manor scored two tries.
