Free The Mothers' Group by Fiona Higgins

formal sessions, haven’t you?’
    Several of the others nodded.
    â€˜So, gentlemen, I’d like you to tell us your name, a little bit about yourself, and one thing that you like about fatherhood. And then perhaps one thing that you’re finding challenging about being a dad.’ Pat smiled at Daniel. ‘How about we start here?’
    Ginie glanced at Daniel, edgy on his behalf.
    â€˜Thanks, Pat,’ he said, exuding his usual confidence. Daniel was good at ad-libbing.
    â€˜Hi, everyone. I’m Daniel, Ginie’s toy boy.’
    Several of the women giggled. Ginie stared at her hands. She didn’t know these people well; why was Daniel being so casual?
    â€˜I’m a writer,’ he said.
    After a fashion, Ginie thought.
    He bounced Rose on his knee. ‘I’m really enjoying being a hands-on dad. My work’s pretty flexible, and Rose is doing lots now. Smiling and laughing and all that. Aren’t you, sweetie?’ He nuzzled Rose, who responded with a squeal. ‘As for what I’m not enjoying . . . Well, Ginie and I are both pretty strong-minded . . .’ Ginie’s eyes widened. ‘And because we’re first-timers, I guess it can be a bit hard to know who’s right, you know?’
    Ginie couldn’t allow him to continue. ‘That’s why having a nanny’s been great for us, hasn’t it?’ she interrupted. ‘It’s like having a parenting expert on tap.’
    She turned to Daniel with a forced smile. Back off now , she said with her eyes.
    â€˜Yeah, Nicole’s been great,’ he agreed. ‘But sometimes it’s like having three chiefs and no Indians.’
    Ginie tried to look nonchalant.
    â€˜Ah yes,’ said Pat with a chuckle. ‘The balance of power between a couple can shift after children. That’s a very good point, Daniel, and one we’ll return to later.’
    Pat nodded at Richard, signalling it was his turn to speak.
    Ginie consciously focused on the man’s pale lips moving, his ginger hair thinning at the crown, the square tortoiseshell glasses. But her irritation remained. Three chiefs and no Indians?
    â€˜I’m an accountant,’ said Richard.
    No prizes for guessing that one, Ginie thought.
    He was obviously nervous and stumbled over his words. Cara leaned back in her chair and casually rested a hand on his.
    It seemed to make all the difference. He relaxed and smiled at Pat. ‘I’m enjoying watching Astrid grow,’ he started. ‘She’s already much bigger and that makes bath time a bit easier.’ He paused. ‘What I don’t like is . . . not really knowing what I’m doing a lot of the time. If she’d come with a manual, that would’ve been great.’
    Pat laughed. ‘Ah, but babies are do-it-yourself and that’s what makes them fun ! There are some good resources available, including this baby health centre. We’re here to support you.’
    Pat’s eyes roved across the group and stopped at Made’s husband. ‘Next?’
    â€˜I’m Gordon.’ He held Wayan in his arms and jiggled him from side to side. ‘I’m an engineer by trade, so I understand why Richard wants a how-to manual for babies. But our Wayan’s got his own little agenda.’ He ruffled Wayan’s hair affectionately. ‘I think the best thing about being a father is discovering that my wife is a natural-born mother.’ He smiled at Made. ‘It’s one of the most satisfying experiences of my life.
    â€˜As for what’s challenging, well, keeping this little fellow off the floor for the past three months has been pretty tough at times.’ He looked around the room. ‘Made might have told you that the Balinese believe newborns are pure, closer to the gods. So you can’t let their feet touch the ground, or they’re vulnerable to black magic. But once they’ve had a special ceremony at three