The Good Mother

by Sinéad Moriarty

  A bedroom door swung open. A red-faced Pauline stormed out. ‘That’s it! I’ve had it with this family. I cannot stay here another minute. I’m going to the library.’

  ‘Your favourite place.’ The twins giggled. ‘Where all your friends hang out.’

  ‘At least I have a brain. You clearly only got half of one each, which is why you’re so inane.’

  ‘We’re not insane,’ Poppy said.

  ‘Inane, you idiot! In-ane.’

  ‘Pauline, you need to lie down. You’re not making any sense. Maybe your brain exploded from too much studying,’ Penny said, and the twins fell about laughing.

  ‘Boom!’ Poppy cackled.

  Pauline held her laptop to her chest. ‘Why was I born into this ridiculous family? There must have been a mix-up at the hospital.’

  While Pauline stormed off to the college library and the twins looked up scars on the internet, Piper got out the Hoover and cleared up the mess. As she was putting the Hoover away, Posy came home and flung down her schoolbag.

  ‘Bad day?’

  ‘I got a detention.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Mrs Pender said I was far more interested in putting on lip-gloss than reading Shakespeare, and I said she was right because lip-gloss is way more interesting than boring old Shakespeare and stupid Romeo and Juliet and their lame relationship – and that Juliet was a really bad role model for women because no self-respecting feminist would kill herself over a guy.’

  Piper groaned. ‘Why did you say that? You know you’re not supposed to answer back. It’s always going to get you into trouble.’

  ‘Mum agrees. She thinks it’s a dumb play too. She said we should be studying Gloria Steinem and Simone de Beauvoir.’

  Why did their mother have to fill Posy’s twelve-year-old head with all of her college stuff? She was too young and it was getting her into trouble. Piper was going to have to talk to her mother when she got home.

  ‘Look, Posy, if you want to make your life easy in school, just follow the curriculum and say nothing. You can read what you want in your spare time.’

  Posy plonked herself down at the kitchen table. ‘Fine. I’m starving. What’s for dinner?’

  Before Piper could tell her there was nothing, the back door opened and their father walked in.

  ‘Hello, Poppy.’

  ‘It’s Posy.’

  ‘Right, what’s for dinner?’

  Why did everyone ask Piper? Why did everyone assume she was the one in charge when their mother was out? ‘I don’t know. There’s nothing in the fridge except a quote.’

  Seamus opened the fridge and slammed it shut. ‘Apparently your mother thinks we can live on notes and quotes. I’ll nip down to the shops and pick something up. You can come with me.’ He pointed to Posy.

  ‘Not until you say my name and date of birth.’

  Seamus narrowed his eyes. ‘Posy Barbara, born October 2003 in the middle of the rugby world cup, which was very inconvenient. You’re the cheeky, lippy one. The youngest. The one who gets into trouble in school. Mind you, the twins do a fair bit of that too. You have your mother’s hair, my eyes and your grandmother Doran’s determination. God help us all.’

  Posy smiled. ‘Okay, I’ll come.’

  While they went to buy food, Piper tidied up the kitchen. As she was emptying the dishwasher, her mother sailed in, carrying a large pile of books.

  ‘Hello, Piper, how was school?’

  ‘Fine, but there’s been a lot of drama here. The twins have kicked a huge hole in the bathroom door.’ Piper scowled.

  Her mother plonked the books on the kitchen table. She pushed her fringe off her face and waved her hand. ‘It’s just a door. There are real problems in the world,’ she said, shaking a leaflet at Piper. ‘Did you know that up to a hundred and forty million women and girls are thought to be living with the consequences of female genital mutilation? In Somalia, ninety-eight per cent of young girls are cut. Can you imagine?’

  Piper knew she should feel desperately sorry for the girls who were suffering in Somalia, but right now she just wanted her mother to cook a bloody meal.

  The twins bounded into the kitchen.

  ‘Hi, Mum.’

  ‘Hi, girls. Here, read this.’ Olivia handed her daughters a piece of paper. ‘I want you all to be aware of how lucky you are.’

  ‘Uhm, what is it?’ Penny asked.

  ‘Female genital mutilation,’ her mother replied.

  ‘Yeah, I can read but, like, what does it mean?’

  ‘It’s when young girls have their clitoris cut in order to curb their sexual desire and preserve their “honour” before marriage.’

  The twins squealed. ‘OMG, did you just say “clitoris”?’ Poppy was horrified.

  ‘Yes. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about,’ Olivia said calmly.

  ‘It’s mortifying,’ Penny said. ‘You have officially gone mad. Please do not ever say that word again.’

  ‘These poor girls are being mutilated because –’

  ‘Stop,’ Poppy said, putting her hands over her ears.

  ‘You need to be aware of what’s going on in the world.’

  Penny shook her head. ‘We’re fifteen! We do not need to know about that. You’re supposed to protect us, not shove all this crazy stuff in our faces.’

  Piper silently cheered her sisters on.

  ‘You can’t live in a bubble. I want my girls to be strong, independent women, who help other women.’

  ‘Can you please go back to being a normal mum?’ Poppy begged. ‘I much preferred you when you were cooking and ironing and watching I’m a Celebrity with us. You’re so boring now.’

  ‘I’m trying to teach you to be strong, independent women,’ Olivia persisted.

  ‘Stop banging on about it. Go and save the girls with the cut fannies and leave us alone,’ Penny snapped.

  Piper felt exactly the same but would never have had the guts to say it to her mother’s face.

  Olivia sat down at the table. ‘I’m disappointed in you, girls. I thought that as young women growing up in a safe, peaceful Western society you would reach out to your fellow women and support them –’

  Seamus and Posy came through the back door. ‘Chipper chips for tea,’ Seamus called out.

  The twins ran over to grab the food.

  ‘Thank God you’re back, Dad. Mum’s been going on about girls having their vaginas cut,’ Poppy said.

  Seamus dropped his bag of chips. ‘What in the name of Jesus?’

  ‘Aaaaah! Don’t say the V-word! It’s so embarrassing.’ Posy blushed bright red.

  Olivia picked up her husband’s chips and popped one into her mouth. ‘I’m just telling them what I learnt about in college today.’

  ‘For the love of God, Olivia, stick to equal pay and subsidized childcare and leave off the genital mutilation.’

  The girls clapped. ‘Yes, listen to Dad.’

  ‘I’m just interested in my subjects, that’s all.’

  ‘I know, love, but seriously?’

  Olivia shrugged. ‘It’s happening out there. We can’t ignore it.’

  Piper felt a bit sorry for her mother. She was enjoying this new chapter in her life after all of the years she had devoted to raising her kids. Some of what she told them about her college course was interesting, but sometimes it was a bit too much – like today.

  Olivia stood up. ‘I’m a bit sticky from cycling home. I think I’ll have a quick shower.’

  ‘FYI, Mum, when you take those clothes off, put them in the bin. You’re too old for jeans,’ Penny said, stuffing chips into her mouth.

  ‘What’s wrong with my jeans?’ Olivia looked down at herself.

  ‘Your legs are too short,’ Poppy told her.

  ‘Are they?’

  ‘The jeans are way too tight. They look ridiculous,’ Penny said.

  ‘Oh.’ Olivia’s face fell.

  Piper didn’t like to agree, but the twins were right. Her mother did look w
eird. She’d bought skinny jeans to ‘blend in’ with the other students, but she just looked like an older woman trying too hard. ‘Your legs are fine, but your normal clothes suit you better,’ she said.

  ‘I feel so old in skirts and black trousers with all the students around me wearing jeans,’ Olivia said.

  ‘You are old,’ Poppy reminded her.

  ‘You’re nearly fifty. You’re not fooling anyone by wearing jeans,’ Penny added.

  ‘Your other clothes are just more flattering,’ Seamus said.

  Olivia tugged at her jeans. ‘Okay. Well, thanks for telling me. I think.’

  While Olivia went to have a shower and throw out her jeans, the twins breathlessly filled in their father on why they thought Zayn soooo hot.

  7

  Jess and Chloë sat on the edge of the playing fields, watching Luke’s team’s training session.

  ‘That bruise really is massive. Donna must have whacked you in hockey. Cow.’

  Jess looked down at the big bruise on her leg. ‘It looks worse than it is. I seem to bruise easily at the moment.’

  ‘Get a move on!’ the coach roared at the players.

  Luke staggered forward with one of his teammates, a big burly guy, hanging onto his back.

  ‘OMG, Jess! That guy Luke’s carrying is huge. This isn’t training, it’s torture.’

  ‘Right, suitcase carries – move it!’ the coach bellowed.

  There was a communal groan. Luke made his way over and lifted the handle of the ‘suitcase’ of huge weights.

  ‘Let’s go!’ the coach shouted.

  Luke closed his eyes and forced himself on. Jess felt sorry for him. This was mad. The players all looked as if they were either going to pass out or vomit.

  ‘I’m so glad I’m not a boy. Imagine having to do this all the time!’ Chloë was incredulous. ‘Can we go now?’

  ‘In a minute.’ Jess knew that the coach was naming the team today and she wanted to see if Luke was picked. She’d told Mum she’d try to find out after school and that she’d text her as soon as she knew.

  After the suitcase exercise half the team fell to the ground. Others bent over and tried to suck air into their lungs, while two threw up.

  Luke moved away from those who were vomiting and lay on the grass, close to where Jess and Chloë were sitting. He didn’t notice them as he was too wrapped up in catching his breath.

  ‘I know Jenson wants to prove himself in his first year as head coach, but he’s going to kill us,’ Lorcan said, lying beside Luke and gasping for air.

  ‘I know. It’s insane.’

  ‘Did you hear he’s naming the team today?’

  Luke nodded.

  ‘I reckon you’re safe, man.’

  ‘I dunno. Harry’s playing well.’

  ‘You’ve got the pace, though. You’re class in attack.’

  The coach came over to them. ‘I’d like a word, Luke,’ he said.

  Lorcan left them to it. Jess held her breath.

  Mr Jenson put his hand on Luke’s shoulder. ‘I’ve seen how much work you’ve put in over the last few months, and I’m pleased with your progress. I want you to know that I’m starting you on Saturday. Play well and you’ll be number-one choice. But I’ve said it before, you need to be more aggressive in the tackle.’

  Luke nodded. ‘Yes, Coach. I’ve been working on that. Thanks for the opportunity. I won’t let you down.’

  ‘Good, because if you do, Harry will get the place. Don’t mess it up.’

  As the coach walked ahead of him, Luke punched the air with his fist. Yeeees!

  Jess jumped up and whooped. Luke turned, surprised to see her. ‘What the hell?’

  ‘I was passing.’ She grinned.

  ‘Spying on me, more like.’ Luke picked her up and swung her around. ‘Come on. I told Granddad I’d help in the café and I’m late.’

  *

  Luke told George his good news as he and Jess helped him clean up. George clapped him on the back with a soapy hand. ‘I knew you’d do it. You deserve it after all those hours of training you put in over the summer. Good to see they’ve paid off. If the café’s not too busy, I’ll be out to see you. And I’ll make sure your mum’s free to go.’

  Luke smiled. ‘Thanks, Granddad. I sent Dad a text, but I haven’t heard back yet.’

  George fell silent. Jess had noticed that every time her dad’s name came up, he said very little.

  As they put away the clean crockery, Bobby came in and kicked one of the kitchen chairs.

  ‘Hey, what’s up?’ Luke asked.

  ‘Stupid, stinky Tommy said I was a know-it-all in class and that I sound like an incyclopedian when I talk.’

  George stifled a laugh.

  Luke turned to his brother. ‘Tommy’s an idiot,’ he said.

  ‘He’s probably just jealous of all of your knowledge, Bobby,’ Jess said, keen to make Bobby feel better.

  Bobby perked up. ‘Yeah, he probably is cos he’s not very clever. He actually thought that an okapi was something to do with going to the toilet, like an “okay pee”!’

  George and Luke looked at each other and laughed.

  ‘Imagine that, a boy who doesn’t know what an okapi is.’ George winked at Luke.

  ‘What a dork.’ Luke grinned.

  ‘I know.’ Bobby giggled.

  ‘Remind me again of the details,’ George said. ‘My old mind keeps forgetting things. The okapi is the one with the –’

  ‘Stripy legs like a zebra but is related to the giraffe,’ Bobby said.

  ‘Yes, of course. I remember now.’ George patted Bobby’s head.

  ‘It lives in the Congo and is about four feet nine inches tall. It –’

  ‘I’d better check inside, but Luke and Jess would love to hear the details about the oki-thing.’ George disappeared into the café.

  Bobby watched him go. ‘Luke?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Sometimes I think Granddad’s mind is a bit old. He doesn’t seem to want to know a lot of new stuff. He forgets everything I tell him, and sometimes when I tell him things, he says his head hurts from too much information. Do you think your brain shrinks when you get old?’

  Luke paused. ‘I think Granddad is just really busy with the café and the wine shop and looking after us. Maybe you should stick to telling me and Jess and Mum about your facts.’

  ‘Okay.’

  Jess decided now was a good time to tell them about the dinner. They were both in a good mood. ‘Did you hear Dad’s coming to take us out for tea?’ she said.

  ‘What?’ Bobby said.

  Luke’s head jerked up. ‘Tonight?’

  ‘He’s taking us to Arturo’s for a treat.’

  ‘I’m supposed to be seeing Piper later.’

  ‘Is stinky Jaden coming?’ Bobby asked.

  ‘Nope, just us. It’ll be great. We’ll have Dad to ourselves. Come on, guys, we haven’t been out just the four of us in months.’

  Their mother came into the room. ‘Did Jess tell you about your dad?’

  ‘Yes. It would have been nice to get some notice. When did he call?’ Luke asked.

  ‘Only about two hours ago. He said he had a gap in his schedule and wanted to see you.’

  ‘I don’t want to go, Mummy.’ Bobby’s face reddened. ‘I don’t like Daddy.’

  She crouched down. ‘Hey, now, he’s your dad and he loves you. Don’t say things like that. I know he’s been busy with Jenny and the baby and work, but he really misses you and he wants to see you.’

  ‘He either feels guilty for being a deadbeat dad or Jenny’s up the duff again,’ Luke said.

  ‘Luke!’ Kate snapped.

  ‘Does this dress look nice, Mum?’ Jess interrupted.

  ‘Gorgeous.’

  The doorbell rang. Jess raced out. She flung open the door and Nick bent down and kissed her. ‘Hey, Jessie – wow, you look great! All the boys are going to be chasing you.’

  Bobby stood in the doorway, peeping o
ut. Luke grabbed his jacket and, taking Bobby’s hand, led him towards the front door.

  ‘Evening, you two,’ Nick said cheerfully.

  His sons went by him silently, walking straight out to the car. Nick’s face dropped and Jess smiled as widely as she could at him, trying to make things okay.

  Kate came to the door. ‘I know they might not seem it, but they’re glad to get time with you.’

  Nick looked towards his car, where the boys were sitting side by side on the back seat. ‘They really don’t seem it.’

  Kate found herself feeling sorry for him. ‘Honestly, they do want to spend time with you,’ she said. ‘Just give them time to come round.’

  ‘I’ll help,’ Jess said, slipping her hand into Nick’s. ‘We’ll get them talking about rugby and world records.’

  Kate loved her daughter for trying so hard, even though at the same time she was sad that she had to shoulder all the responsibility. ‘Good luck,’ she murmured, as she watched Nick and Jess get into the car. ‘You’ll need it,’ she added, under her breath, as the car pulled away.

  Bobby pushed aside his plate. ‘It’s yucky. I’m not eating it.’

  Nick’s jaw set. ‘You said you wanted pepperoni pizza.’

  ‘Well, I don’t like this pepperoni. It’s too spicy.’

  ‘Here, take some of mine.’ Nick cut a slice and handed it to Bobby.

  ‘I don’t want your stinky pizza. It has peppers on it.’

  Jess watched nervously as her father tried not to lose his temper.

  ‘You need to eat something, Bobby. How about some plain pasta? Shall I order that?’

  Bobby shook his head.

  ‘Here, he can have some of my Margarita.’ Jess handed Bobby a slice, which he accepted.

  ‘How’s your chicken, Luke?’ Nick asked.

  ‘Fine.’

  ‘How’s school and rugby and all that?’

  ‘Fine.’

  Luke wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Jess knew he was still furious about being stood up on his birthday.

  ‘He’s been picked for the senior cup team,’ Jess said, trying to smooth things over.

  Nick was obviously impressed. ‘Well done! That’s great. You look very fit – I can see you’ve been working out.’

  ‘Daddy, do you know what an okapi is?’ Bobby asked.