9. Sophie

I answered the door in my pyjamas. Who was calling at seven in the morning? Rubbing sleep out of my eyes, I opened the door.

Pippa, dressed to the nines and perfectly made-up, stood in front of me with Robert. Hang on, this was not planned. Why was she dropping him over today?

‘It’s well for some lounging around in their pyjamas,’ she said.

‘It’s seven o’clock in the morning. What are you doing here?’

‘A last-minute work thing cropped up so I need you to drop Robert to school and get Jack to collect him. I’ll pick him up from school tomorrow.’

‘Jack’s got clients over from the UK. He can’t swan off at two o’clock to pick up Robert and neither can I.’

Pippa spun on her heel and hurried down the path. ‘You’ll figure it out.’

‘PIPPA!’ I roared after her, as she climbed into a waiting taxi. ‘You can’t keep doing this!’

The taxi sped away and all I saw was the back of her glossy blow-dried head.

‘Can nobody collect me from school?’ Robert’s lip wobbled.

I bent down. ‘Sorry, pet, of course we can. I’ll sort something out. Don’t worry at all.’ I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring hug. ‘Come on inside. Are you hungry?’

‘Yes, very. Mummy didn’t have time to give me breakfast and I only haded crackers for my dinner.’

Jesus, Pippa, what was going on? This was getting out of control. The poor little mite was clearly starving.

Jack came down to find Robert sitting up at the counter, stuffing himself with slices of toast and a mountain of scrambled eggs. ‘Hey, buddy, this is a nice surprise.’ He kissed his son’s head, then looked at me.

‘Pippa had a last-minute work thing, so Robert is staying with us for the night.’ I tried to sound breezy in front of Robert and not boiling with rage.

Jack’s jaw set. ‘Another one. Wow, she’s busy.’

‘Mmm, she sure is.’ I left the kitchen and signalled for Jack to follow me into the hallway.

‘She didn’t feed him last night or this morning. The poor kid is starving. She’s getting worse, Jack.’

‘Jesus Christ.’ Jack looked really upset.

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t pick Robert up today,’ I said. ‘I have a fashion show at two.’

‘I have clients over from the UK and we have a big lunch, so I can’t either.’

‘She can’t keep doing this, Jack. You have to put your foot down.’

‘What can I do? She never tells me she’s dropping him in. He’s my son. He’s five years old.’ Jack rubbed his eyes. ‘Could Gavin pick him up?’

‘No. He’s helping Shania with her online orders. She’s overwhelmed with work.’

‘Your dad?’

‘He’s looking after Clara because Gavin can’t. Besides, why is it always my family who have to dig your selfish, self-centred ex out of a hole?’

‘I’ll do it,’ Jess said.

We spun around. We hadn’t realized she was behind us, listening.

‘Thank you, but you can’t because you don’t finish school until three thirty,’ I said.

‘My last class is only stupid religion. I can skip it and pick him up.’

‘That would be great, Jess. You’re a star.’ Jack hugged her.

I was not happy about Jess skipping any school, religion or not. Why was my daughter now having to leave school early to look after Pippa’s child? This was all getting way out of hand. I loved Jack and I was happy we were back together, but I had not counted on raising his son. Pippa was doing less and less parenting, and I was shouldering the fallout. Besides, I had a strong suspicion that Pippa was not going to a work thing but off on a jolly with whoever she was shagging these days. This whole custody situation was just not working – she was treating us like a drop-off centre. But for today, we had no choice.

‘Okay, Jess, but just this once. I’ll write you a note.’ I gave in, knowing it was the only solution. If Mum was still alive, I could have asked her. She would have been brilliant with Robert and I know her heart would have melted for him. She’d have had a few choice words to say to Pippa too. Mum would have helped me to navigate the car-crash this custody agreement was becoming. God, I missed her support and advice.

Jess went in to talk to her little brother.

I glared at Jack. ‘This has to stop.’

He threw his hands into the air. ‘If I cross her, she’ll take me to court and ask for full custody and you know courts usually side with the mothers.’

‘I don’t think she will, Jack, because I don’t think she wants more custody. In fact, I think she’d gladly hand over full custody to you. She just threatens to do that because she wants the maintenance money.’

‘I can’t risk it, Sophie. I can’t risk losing joint custody.’

I understood he was nervous about a court leaning towards the mother, but surely if the judge saw we were the ones who looked after Robert most of the time anyway, they’d never rule for Pippa. That was if she took Jack to court, which I didn’t think she would. She was just using it as a threat so Jack wouldn’t challenge her. She was controlling all of us, and I was thoroughly sick of it.

I held Robert’s hand as we walked to school.

‘I can’t wait for Jess to pick me up. It’s gonna be so cool. She said we can go to the playground on the way home.’ He skipped along beside me.

‘That sounds like fun.’

‘Jess is the best sister in the whole big world.’ He smiled up at me.

He was a very sweet kid, despite his deadbeat mother’s DNA.

‘Yes, she is, and you’re a wonderful little brother, and she loves you so much.’

He beamed. ‘And she said we can get sweeties too.’

‘Not too many, though. We have to mind our teeth, don’t we?’

‘Yes, Sophie, we do. But a few is okay.’

I winked. ‘Yes, they are.’

‘Mummy’s friend Vincent gives me lots of sweeties.’

‘Does he?’ My ears pricked up. ‘Is he nice?’

‘I only know him a tiny bit.’

‘Is he a new friend?’

‘Yep. Mummy says I need to be super-good when he comes over cos he’s a zillionaire.’

Wow, she was some operator, using her kid to reel in a man with money.

‘He has his own plane. Mummy says it’s a maaaaaa zing and one day, if I’m really nice to Vincent and show him what a good boy I am, I can go on the plane too.’

‘That sounds like fun.’

Vincent who? I’d have to ask Quentin. He’d definitely know.

‘Does Vincent have any kids?’

‘Two, but they’re not kids, they’re all growed up.’

So, an older guy, then.

‘I hope he’s nice to you because you’re a very special boy.’

Robert grinned up at me. ‘You’re special too, Sophie. Mummy says you can be grumpy, but I think you’re super-nice.’

I kissed the top of his head. ‘Thank you, sweetie.’

How dare that bitch give out about me? The cheek of her! Grumpy, my arse. I was practically raising her son – and doing a much better job of it than she was.

We arrived at the school where Robert ran into the classroom and over to his friends. I explained to the teacher that Jess was picking him up, filled out a permission form, waved him goodbye, then rushed into work to talk to Quentin and figure out who Vincent with the private plane was.

Julianne tapped my shoulder. ‘I can’t fit into this stupid dress. It’s shrunk,’ she whined.

I tried to pull up the zip, but it refused to go past her hips.

Quentin glared at her. ‘Darling, that dress hasn’t shrunk, you just need to eat a few salads or tape your mouth shut after five p.m.’

She gasped. ‘You can’t say that to me. That is not a body positive comment.’

‘Don’t give me that crap. You’re a model, you have to be thin. It’s your job.’ Quentin put his hands on his hips. ‘If you want to eat burgers, go and work in McDonald’s.’

‘How dare you?’ she said. ‘You’re just a stupid … old …’

‘What? Spit it out, honey. I’m just a stupid old fag? Well, this stupid old fag runs a very successful modelling agency and clients don’t want girls with fat arses modelling their clothes. Find yourself another career.’

Julianne yanked the dress off and pulled on her tracksuit. ‘You’re a nasty old prick. I’m going to hashtag MeToo you on my socials.’

‘Go ahead, darling. I grew up as a gay man in Ireland in the seventies. It was pure hell. I can take a little social-media bitching. Knock yourself out. Hashtag the hell out of me.’

Julianne stormed out while the other models – some looking shocked, some giggling – carried on getting ready for the show. I pulled Quentin aside.

‘Quentin, please be careful with your words. You have to be so mindful, these days. If clients hear rumours that you’re body-shaming models, they may pull out.’

‘Body-shaming? Give me a break. She wants to be a model, so she has to be thin. If I want to be a sumo wrestler and all I eat are salads and I’m eight stone wringing wet, is my coach going to clap me on the back and say, “Well done, we’ll put you on the Olympic team”? No, he bloody isn’t. He’s going to scream at me to eat more food. If you choose to be a model, fitting into designer clothes is part of the job. I’m sick of people telling me I can’t say this or that. You can’t have a goddamn opinion on anything any more.’

I understood what he meant. The world, and people, had got very precious. While it was positive in the main that people were being more mindful, sometimes it felt like walking through a minefield, trying to make sure you didn’t say anything that could be deemed offensive by anyone, anywhere.

‘Okay, I know what you’re saying, but just make sure you don’t stray into outright insults. We definitely don’t need that reputation.’

Now that we were one model down, I had to rearrange the running order of the fashion show. I managed to get all of the outfits into the show by rejigging the line-up and helping to dress and undress the models myself.

‘You’re a wonder, Sophie.’ Quentin praised me as we sat in his office and he enjoyed a post-workday glass of wine. Donatella and Miuccia snored in their fluffy beds at our feet. I wasn’t a fan of pugs, but they were Quentin’s fur babies and came to work with him every day. Quentin’s dogs, and there had been quite a few over the years, were part of the package.

‘Thanks, boss.’ I winked at him.

‘By the way, while you were putting out fires, I was grilling my sources. I found out who Pippa’s new lover is, the mysterious Vincent.’

‘Yes! Come on, fill me in.’

‘So, my friend Paul, an ex but awful in bed, has a brother –’

‘Quentin, get to the point!’ I was dying to know who Pippa’s new man was and Quentin had a habit of taking ages to tell stories.

‘Don’t be so impatient. Anyway, Paul’s brother works for Vincent – his name is Vincent Hughes. He’s a multi-millionaire property developer who indeed has a private jet. According to Paul’s brother, Vincent is known to be a bit shady in his dealings. But here’s the real kicker …’ Quentin paused for maximum effect. ‘He’s married.’

I almost spilled my wine. ‘What? Are you sure?’

‘Paul is one hundred per cent sure. His brother was at a party in Vincent’s house last week to celebrate the thirtieth wedding anniversary of Vincent and his charming wife, Hazel!’

Oh, my God. Pippa was having a full-blown affair. This was serious gossip. What would happen if Hazel found out? Dublin was tiny when it came to scandal – there was no way they could keep it under wraps for ever. Would Vincent leave Hazel for Pippa? Did Pippa know he was married? Did she care? Was Vincent promising Pippa he would leave his wife just to string her along?

Whatever about him being married, which was bad enough, I didn’t like that he was shady. I didn’t want Robert around anyone who was a bad influence or was involved with any dodgy people. Should I tell Jack? He was already pretty anxious about Robert and how the whole toxic situation with Pippa might be damaging him. I knew Jack felt guilty that Robert didn’t have a stable family life like Jess. On balance, I decided it might be best to say nothing for now. Why worry him unnecessarily? I could keep an eye on things, and the affair would probably fizzle out quickly anyway. Pippa’s relationships never seemed to last long, although I’d say she’d be keen to hang on to this multi-millionaire and his private plane.

‘I bet you her last-minute “work thing” today is actually a dirty night away with Vincent,’ Quentin said.

‘I was thinking the exact same thi—’

My phone rang. JESS flashed up on the screen. I grabbed it. ‘Hi, love, is everything –’

‘MUUUUUUUUUUM! Help!’ she screamed.

My heart skipped a beat. ‘Jess, what’s wrong? What is it?’

‘It’s Robert. He fell off the swing and I think he’s broken his arm. Help me, Mum.’ She sobbed.

I could hear Robert bawling in the background. ‘Where are you?’

‘In the playground down the road from his school.’

‘Stay there and don’t move. Cover Robert with a coat. He’s in shock. Keep talking to him. I’m on my way.’

Quentin had my bag and coat ready for me by the time I hung up. ‘Go and look after the kids. I’ll finish up here.’

I thanked him and sprinted out of the door to my car.

By the time I reached the park, a group had formed around Jess and Robert. Everyone was being kind and offering help. Jess was sitting on a bench holding Robert on her knee. Both of them had tear-stained faces and red eyes. They were covered with coats and scarves.

I ran over to them.

‘I’m so sorry, Mum. He kept asking me to push him higher and I did and then he just slipped off.’

Hiding my shock, I switched into Mum mode. ‘It’s okay, Jess. We’ll get Robert to a doctor now.’

A woman tapped my arm and whispered, ‘I’m a nurse. I had a look and I think it’s definitely broken.’

‘Thanks, I’ll take him to A and E.’

I picked Robert up gently and held him to me. ‘You poor boy, what a shock. We’re going to find a doctor to look at your arm and make you all better.’

He buried his face into my shoulder and sobbed. ‘It hurts really bad, Sophie.’

‘I know, pet, we’ll get you some medicine now to stop the pain.’

Jess followed behind us, tugging at my coat. ‘I never thought he’d fall … It all happened so quickly … I feel so bad.’

I settled Robert in the back seat of the car and turned to Jess. I put my hands on her shoulders. ‘It’s not your fault, Jess. Kids have accidents all the time.’

‘But I feel so responsible,’ she said, starting to cry again.

‘Jess, I need you to be strong now. If Robert sees you crying, he’ll get upset too. I need you to sit beside him in the back and try to distract him. Okay?’

She nodded. I hugged her, jumped into the front seat and got us to the hospital in record time.

I stayed with Robert while he was being triaged, X-rayed and having his arm put in a plaster cast. Jess, meanwhile, got in touch with Jack and filled him in.

A little later, from behind our curtain in A and E, I could hear my husband shouting my name. I stuck my head out and waved him over.

‘Is he okay?’ Jack’s face was pale.

‘He’s fine. He broke his arm and they’ve just finished putting it in plaster. They said it’s a straight break and will heal just fine. Don’t worry.’

Jack stifled a sob and fell on his young son. ‘Hey, buddy. How’s my superman? You poor soldier, that’s bad luck. Is it very sore?’

‘It was s uuuu per-sore, Daddy, but it’s okay now.’

Jack kissed his wet cheek. ‘You’re such a brave boy. You’ll have to get all the kids in school to sign your plaster. You’ll be the king of the class with that. Now, you can have anything you want for dinner – you can have pizza or McDonald’s or just a big plate of sweets if you want.’

‘Can I? For real?’ Robert’s eyes widened.

‘Absolutely.’

I nudged Jack and pointed to Jess, who was sitting quietly in the corner.

‘I’m sorry, Dad,’ she said, as Jack went over to her. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Jack wrapped her in his arms. ‘Oh, Jess, love, it’s not your fault. You’re the best big sister for collecting him from school and taking him to the park. Falling is part of growing up. You broke your arm once, remember? On my watch too, and I felt awful. And your triplet cousins were forever breaking bones.’

Jess nodded. ‘That’s true, but I feel it was kind of my fault for pushing him so high on the swing.’

‘I wanted to go higher,’ Robert said.

‘I know, but I should have said no.’ Jess sniffed. ‘I’m your big sister. I should have known it was too high.’

‘Don’t be sad, Jess. I’m okay now,’ Robert told her.

‘I’m so sorry, Robert.’ She was sobbing again.

‘Don’t cry, Jess, I love you.’ Robert hated seeing Jess so upset.

‘It’s no one’s fault, it was just an unfortunate accident. They happen every day,’ Jack tried to reassure Jess.

Before Jess could answer, the curtain was ripped back.

‘What the hell is going on here?’ Pippa shrieked. ‘I’m in work and I get a call from a school mum to say she saw Robert falling to his almost death in the playground and I needed to come quickly. She said some child was looking after Robert. I leave my son with you for one day and he ends up in hospital. What kind of a father are you?’

I was standing closest to Pippa and I could smell alcohol on her breath. Work, my arse. Also, if she’d been so worried about Robert’s fall, how had it taken her three hours to get to the hospital to see her ‘almost dead’ son?

‘Calm down, Pippa,’ I said briskly. ‘It was an accident. He fell off a swing. Robert’s fine. He’s just got a broken arm.’

‘Just a broken arm.’ Pippa sneered. ‘He could have been dead if he’d hit his head. And who was looking after him?’

‘I was.’ Jess raised her hand.

‘You?’ Pippa’s eyes flashed. ‘You’re a teenager obsessed with TikTok and lip-gloss. Who the hell thought it was a good idea to have you look after Robert?’ Turning to Jack she hissed, ‘How could you leave Robert with her?’

Jess sobbed. ‘I’m sorry, Pippa, it was –’

Jack held up his hand to stop Jess speaking. His face was red. Grabbing Pippa by the arm he pulled her out of the cubicle to one side. I followed them. I wasn’t going to miss this.

‘Don’t you ever criticize my daughter again. She stood up and collected her brother from school because you, mother-of-the-year, dumped him on our doorstep again this morning. I’m sick and tired of you dropping him over whenever it suits you. You expect me or Sophie to leave work to pick up the pieces when you couldn’t be arsed to look after your own child. And don’t insult my intelligence with your “working” bullshit. You stink of alcohol and, judging by your bloodshot eyes, you’ve been on the sauce all day.’

‘How dare you speak to me like that? I’ll take you to court, Jack, and I’ll get full custody.’

‘Really, Pippa? Which judge in the land is going to give Robert to a mother who is more interested in partying than looking after him? I’ve kept an account of every single time you’ve left Robert on our doorstep and, believe me, they add up and they do not reflect well on you. Now go home, sober up and pick up our son tomorrow.’

I punched the air. Finally! Finally, Jack had stood up to her.

Her eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t you dare threaten me! I’d be very careful if I was you, Jack. I have a very rich friend who’ll pay for the best lawyers in town to take Robert away from you. Everyone knows that kids are better off with their mothers.’

‘That very much depends on the mother.’ Jack was not backing down. ‘I don’t think feeding your son crackers because you forgot to buy him any food shows you in a very good light.’

‘Don’t push me, Jack, or you’ll regret it. How do you think Robert would feel if he only got to see you once every few months? Do you want to hurt your son? Do you want to lose joint custody? I could make life very hard for you after this negligent accident, Jack. Robert has never had a potentially fatal accident on my watch.’

The conniving bitch would use this accident against us.

Jack said nothing but I could see his hands clench into fists. ‘Let’s focus on Robert’s best interests, shall we?’ he hissed.

‘Fine by me,’ Pippa said.

‘I’m taking him home to look after him. I think we need to keep him off school tomorrow,’ Jack said.

‘Fine. I’ll be over at about eleven.’

‘Could you make it nine so I can get to my ten o’clock meeting?’ Jack asked tersely.

Pippa reapplied her lip-gloss. ‘No. Eleven is the time that suits me.’ Glancing round the curtain at her son, she waved. ‘Bye-bye, sweetie-pie. Mummy’s going now but I’ll see you tomorrow. Okay?’

Robert nodded. ‘Okay, Mummy. I love you,’ he called, but her back was turned and she was already halfway down the corridor.

Jack clutched my hand very tightly. ‘How did I ever get involved with that woman?’

‘There was a time when you loved her,’ I reminded him.

He shook his head. ‘That was seriously bad judgement on my part. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. I was a bloody idiot.’

‘I agree completely.’ I smiled at him.

‘Thank God I saw sense and won you back.’

I put my arm around him. ‘I’m very glad you did. Now, come on, let’s get our kids home, order take-out, open some wine and put this day behind us.’

‘Can we open lots of wine?’ He grinned.

‘Absolutely.’

Jack held Robert and Jess slipped her arm into mine as our little family unit walked out to the car to go home.