by Suzy K Quinn
When it was my turn, Doug put a sweaty arm around my shoulder and said, ‘Now Juliette may not be at her best, with a new baby at home. But her fella couldn’t make it tonight, so let’s do what we can for her. There’s life in the old girl yet. Am I right, fellas?’
Then he asked how long before I’d be a decent married woman.
‘Soon!’ I said, forcing a silly grin on my face.
In the end, I got three pity bids from some old men.
God, I’m lucky to have Nick. I really am.
Monday January 11th
Helen came round early today.
We were still in bed when she called.
Nick pulled a pillow over his head and pretended to be asleep, so I had to talk to her.
Helen said, ‘Jul-iette. How was the Dalton Ball, darling? I couldn’t go – I had a work thing.’
I knew something was wrong then. She never calls me darling.
She fixed me with those manic blue eyes of hers and told me she’d heard something ‘disconcerting’ about the auction. That Zachary Dalton had bid ‘rather a large amount’ on my sister Laura.
I said, ‘What?’
‘Pardon’, said Helen, closing her eyes like she had a headache.
Then she grilled me about Laura and Zach – whether they were an item, how serious things were.
I told her it was none of her business.
Apparently, certain people in the village are talking. Saying how inappropriate it is that Laura and Zach could be together.
‘Considering Laura’s background,’ Helen clarified.
I said Laura’s background was the same as mine – she grew up in a nice, big house in the country and wanted for nothing.
Admittedly half of that big house is a pub … but a very nice pub. It’s in all the Best Ale and Good Pub guides.
Helen said, almost whispered actually, ‘But your younger sister had that teenage pregnancy …’
And then it all came out – Catrina Dalton phoned Helen yesterday. I had no idea they were friends, but apparently they run a handbag charity together.
Catrina is ‘beside herself’ with concern that ‘poor Zachary’ is getting himself distracted, when he should be settling down with someone ‘sensible’.
Ha!
Laura is the most sensible person I know. She keeps a record of all her expenses, has three different savings accounts and is studying for her second degree.
I told Helen I’m happy that Laura and Zach like each other. I’d never get in the way of that, and nor should anyone else.
‘That’s what you want for your sister, is it?’ said Helen. ‘To be gossiped about?’
I told her people always gossiped about our family. With a mum like ours, we’re used to it.
‘Well you should warn her at least,’ said Helen. ‘Catrina Dalton is not happy. What relationship can work if a mother isn’t happy?’
I pointed out that Helen hadn’t liked me much at first.
‘Um … yes,’ said Helen. ‘But then there was the mishap. So …’
Sometimes Helen really crosses the line.
I shouted, ‘Don’t EVER call Daisy a mishap.’
Nick yelled from the bedroom, ‘She’s right, Mum. That’s out of line.’
Helen looked a bit chastised. Then she said, ‘What I mean is, I appreciate there are certain things one must accept.’
‘So maybe Catrina Dalton will learn to accept Laura,’ I said. ‘And she could do a lot worse. Laura is beautiful and kind and ladylike.’
Helen’s lips did that horrible puckering thing they do when she gets really angry.
She barked that Catrina had made her feelings ‘VERY clear’. Then she left, muttering that she was practically planning the wedding for me and got no thanks.
I shouted after her that she could stop bringing round ridiculous pictures of Vogue models wearing turquoise wedding dresses and Perspex knuckle dusters.
When she’d gone, Nick crawled out from the bedroom and asked if there was any Coca-Cola in the fridge.
It’s always funny when he tries to be serious with his hair all sticking up and duckling fluffy.
I told him about the ball and how Catrina Dalton had been whispering to Alex about us ‘Duffy girls’.
I didn’t tell him about Alex offering to train me.
‘The Daltons are complete wankers,’ said Nick. ‘Daisy’s asleep, you know.’
I asked if he’d checked her breathing.
He rolled his eyes and said, ‘Yes. Get over here.’
Then he kissed me – just like he used to do.
Suddenly, it was like the old days.
I’d forgotten he’s a good kisser.
He whispered, ‘I still fucking fancy you, Julesy. Even with all the baby weight.’
I gave him an outraged punch on the arm, but he just laughed.
He was SO rock-hard.
Before long we were having sex, and I realised how much I’d missed him. It was so nice being close. He was really pounding me into the sofa. Really going for it. So unlike how things have been recently.
I think I would have come quickly – except he came first. And when he did, he moaned and fell on top of me.
Usually he says ‘oh Julesy’ when he comes. But he said something else today. I’m not sure what.
Then he turned me around, put his hand between my legs and helped me come too.
We lay on the sofa with our arms around each other.
It felt really nice. But I kept trying to work out what he’d said.
It definitely wasn’t my name.
Tuesday January 12th
Nick wouldn’t cheat on me. He wouldn’t. I mean, he was a player in the past, but we have a baby now.
I should know better than to over think things, especially when I’m tired and sleep deprived.
I’m just being paranoid.
THANK YOU for finishing the sample.
Want to read more?
Book 1: The Bad Mother’s Diary
UH OH! JULIETTE HAD A BABY WITH THE WRONG MAN. NOW WHAT?
So I’ve had a baby. But motherhood isn’t quite how I imagined. I don’t live in a lovely cottage with roses around the door. I don’t know how to get Daisy to sleep. I don’t own a baking tray. And then there’s Daisy’s sh*tbag of a father …
Search your Amazon store for:
Bad Mothers Diary Suzy
And enjoy the rest of the book.
Or maybe you’d like to read:
BOOK 2: The Bad Mother’s Detox
I am currently a single mother, living with my parents. And this New Year, I am in need of a major detox. What am I detoxing?
Daisy’s father, Nick.
Search your Amazon store for:
Bad Mothers Detox Suzy
And enjoy the next instalment.