33. Sophie

Jess and I sat in the very back, leaving the middle seats for Gavin and Lemon. I was happy to be in the back: Lemon was a projectile-vomiter and I didn’t want my nice coat covered with baby puke.

‘I presume Dad’s coming.’ Gavin strapped Lemon’s car seat in.

‘He said he’d meet us there,’ I told him.

‘Is she coming?’ Gavin asked.

‘I doubt it. I don’t see Dolores slumming it on the cold sidelines of a rugby pitch,’ I said.

‘I bet she comes. She’s like superglue to him,’ Gavin said, as Lemon burped but thankfully didn’t vomit.

‘Bloody traffic! I knew we should have left earlier,’ Harry huffed.

‘Harry,’ Julie said, using her calm voice, ‘you need to take it easy or you’ll crash the car. We’re way ahead of kick-off.’

‘I want to get my seat on the halfway line. I want to chat to the other dads, hear their thoughts and just soak up the atmosphere of this momentous day.’ He swerved to avoid slamming into the car in front of us.

Jess was thrown against me.

‘Harry, I know you’re wound up, but you’re kind of putting Lemon at risk here with the erratic driving,’ Gavin called from the middle seat.

‘He has a point,’ I said, not wanting myself or my own daughter to die.

Harry glanced at us in the rear-view mirror and I watched his hands begin to relax on the steering wheel. ‘Sorry, folks,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean to frighten Lemon, or you two in the back.’

‘Or me, I hope,’ Julie said.

‘I’m just so nervous for the boys. How lucky are we that Sebastian got injured and they’re all playing?’

Jess nudged me in the back of the car. I winked at her. No one but Jess and my siblings knew the whole truth. Harry knew most of it, but not all.

‘I want them all to play well and be happy with their performances. It’s been a long week.’

‘Don’t worry, Liam will be fine. He’s a pro,’ Gavin re-assured him.

Harry sighed. ‘I’d hate for any of the boys to be disappointed with how they played. If the team wins, great, but what matters most to me is that the triplets don’t come off beating themselves up about anything they did. I’m so proud of them. I never shone at anything in school. I was Mr Average all the way. It’s … well, it’s quite something.’

Jess whispered to me. ‘I never realized Uncle Harry was so insecure.’

It was true: despite all the money he’d inherited and the lovely life they lived, Harry never seemed to feel he had achieved enough. I could see it when he was with Jack, in particular. Jack was privately educated and confident. Even when he’d lost everything, he’d bounced back and his confidence returned. But Harry had never had that inner belief. It made me sad for him and Julie. He was a brilliant husband and an outstanding father – he had raised sons who were loyal, brave and kind. I’d been blown away by how they’d jumped to Jess’s defence. Hopefully, some day he’d realize that was enough, more than enough.

Julie patted his arm. ‘Harry, the boys are lucky to have you as their father and their chief cheerleader. Let’s just get there alive so we can enjoy it.’

Thankfully, Harry took his foot off the accelerator. We still arrived thirty minutes early and he got his perfect seat.

I put Jess between me and Gavin at the end of the row. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Victoria arriving. She was wearing her fur coat but not strutting like a peacock as she normally did. She sat a few rows in front of us.

‘I heard Sebastian’s not playing. What happened, Victoria? Is he okay?’ a parent asked.

Jess flinched. I reached out and held her gloved hand in mine.

‘Oh, he got injured on Wednesday when he was training at the gym.’

‘How?’ a mum asked.

Victoria shrugged. ‘He pulled a muscle doing weights or something.’

‘Poor Sebastian. That’s just awful for him.’

‘These things happen.’

‘You’re taking it so well, fair play to you.’

‘And Liam was reinstated. How do you feel about that after he punched Sebastian?’

I held my breath. What would she say? Jess squeezed my hand harder.

‘For goodness’ sake,’ Victoria was brusque, ‘boys have arguments all the time. They were probably all wired up and it just got a bit out of hand. It’s over now.’

‘Someone wants the conversation shut down,’ Gavin said, under his breath.

‘Hallelujah,’ I whispered.

Jess let out a deep breath.

‘It’s okay, love. She’s never going to say anything. It’s over.’

‘No, Mum, look.’ Jess nodded to the corner of the pitch where the subs were arriving to take their place. Sebastian was fake-limping. He glanced in our direction. Jess fixed her gaze on her lap.

‘Put your head up, Jess,’ Gavin said, ‘and stare straight at him.’

Jess looked up at Gavin, then at me, and smiled. She raised her head and sat up very straight. She looked right at Sebastian, who had the sense to look down and limp quickly past.

‘See?’ Gavin said, smiling. ‘He’s a coward. Knew it.’

Jess nodded, but her hand was shaking in mine. I knew that had taken a lot out of her, but I was so proud of her for facing up to him. The first time was always the worst, but she’d done it and she hadn’t flinched.

‘Well done.’

She snuggled closer to me and I felt a surge of love for my brave girl.

Fifteen minutes into the match, there was no score.

‘Where is Dad?’ Julie asked.

‘No idea. It’s not like him to be late. He was mad keen to watch the match. I hope he’s all right. Have you texted?’

‘Look, he’s here now,’ Gavin pointed to the right, ‘and she ’s with him.’

We looked over to see Dad with a face like thunder and Dolores scurrying after him, dressed as if she was on an expedition to the North Pole. They shuffled their way over to us and sat down.

‘Nice time-keeping.’ Gavin poked the bear.

‘Don’t mention the bloody war,’ Dad huffed. ‘What have I missed?’

‘No score yet. The triplets are playing really well. Liam had a brilliant kick to the winger for a try, but the winger knocked it forward. Leo put in a brilliant run down the middle, but got tackled before the try line. Luke is tackling everyone who comes near him,’ Gavin said, filling Dad in. ‘Why are you so late?’

‘Because Dolores insisted we stop on the way to buy gloves because she forgot hers and it took her fifteen minutes to choose a pair,’ Dad hissed under his breath.

Jess and I tried not to laugh. It sounded as if the shine on Dolores was dimming. Mum (a) would never have forgotten her gloves and (b) if she had, she would have put her hands in her pockets rather than be late for a game. She knew how much it meant for Dad to be on time for one.

‘Lord, it’s very cold here. It’s like being in a wind tunnel.’ Dolores pulled her coat closed around her.

‘It’s a cold day. What did you expect?’ Dad sighed.

Gavin grinned at Jess and me.

‘My grandson is a very gifted musician, so I’m used to going to indoor recitals.’

‘Well, my grandsons are rugby stars and I go to all their matches, hail, rain or shine.’ Dad was firm. ‘And I will not be late again.’

‘There is no need to speak to me so curtly, George. I’m just not used to the outdoor sports any more. But I’ll get the hang of it, I’m sure. Now, what’s going on?’

Dad cursed under his breath. ‘I can’t be explaining now. Just watch the game.’

‘Well I never. Fine. I’ll not say another word.’

‘Good,’ Dad said.

I leaned over. ‘Dad gets a big agitated during the matches, Dolores. It’s not personal,’ I tried to reassure her.

‘Will everyone just shush and let me concentrate?’ Dad complained.

‘You won’t hear another peep out of me, I can assure you.’ Dolores sniffed and gazed straight ahead.

‘TRY!’ Harry bellowed, as he and the whole Castle Academy stand stood up and roared.

‘That’s Liam! That’s my grandson!’ Dad shouted.

I have to admit I’d missed the try with all the Dolores distractions. But Jess and I jumped and cheered for our brilliant Liam. Luke and Leo rushed over to hug their try-scoring brother.

In the row in front of us, Harry threw his arms around Julie and they jumped up and down, fighting back tears. It was lovely to see. They were such a solid couple. They always had been. Through thick and thin they had supported and loved each other. Jack and I were less solid, but I hoped we’d weather whatever lay ahead.

I leaned over and squeezed Julie’s shoulder. ‘You must be busting with pride.’

‘I am, I so am.’ She had tears in her eyes.

Who would have thought that the crazy, hyper, naughty triplets would turn into brilliant, accomplished sports stars?

Freaked out by all the cheering, Lemon began to cry. Gavin tried to soothe her, but she was upset and her howling got louder.

‘This is no place for a baby,’ Dad said. ‘It’s too loud for the wee thing. Take her home.’

‘She’ll settle in a minute. I want to see the boys play.’ Gavin tried to hush his daughter but Lemon’s howls just got louder.

‘For the love of God, give her a bottle or something to quieten her.’ Dad was not letting up.

‘So my baby’s crying is bothering you, but it’s okay for you to arrive late and have your girlfriend ask annoying questions at the top her voice?’ Gavin hissed.

‘Excuse me?’ Dolores was apoplectic. ‘George!’ She glared at Dad, waiting for him to defend her.

‘Why don’t you take the baby and head off for a coffee?’ Dad suggested to Dolores.

‘You want me to take your son’s baby after he insulted me? What do you think I am? The hired help?’

‘You haven’t stopped complaining about the cold, you’re not interested in the game and the baby needs to be calmed down. Gavin wants to watch his nephews. What’s the problem? It’s a win-win.’

Dolores’s face was now a bright shade of scarlet. ‘I will not be ordered about to babysit your grandchild. I have never in my life been so insulted.’

Ignoring her, Dad turned back to the game and roared, ‘Good tackle, Luke,’ as his grandson thrust a giant on the other team to the ground.

Gavin shoved a normal baby bottle into Lemon’s mouth and she stopped crying and began to suck.

Dolores stood up. ‘I know when I’m not welcome or appreciated. I will not sit here for another minute.’ She glared at Dad, waiting for him to beg her to stay.

‘Dolores, this is a huge day for my family. Can you please just sit down and watch the game quietly or head off and I’ll see you later?’ Dad said, barely looking at her, his eyes glued to the pitch.

‘Uh-oh,’ Jess whispered. ‘She’s not going to like that.’

‘I’m leaving.’ She paused for a second to see if Dad reacted. He studiously ignored her.

Dolores stomped off in a rage.

‘Well, at least she has a nice new pair of warm gloves anyway.’ Gavin grinned and cheered on the boys.

Gavin and I did a discreet fist pump. Ding dong, Dolores the witch was gone.