Free The Secrets Sisters Keep: A heartwarming, funny and emotional novel (The Devlin Sisters Book 2) by Sinéad Moriarty

a brownie. ‘Thanks, Mum. What do you think I should do about Pippa, though? Just ignore her?’
    ‘In so far as you can, yes. But if she starts filling Jess’s head with silly notions, you might have to step in. My advice is to keep communicating with Jack and make sure you’re on the same page. As long as you and Jack are in agreement about how to raise Jess, Pippa won’t matter.’
    ‘Generally we are, but I’m worried Pippa will influence him badly.’
    Mum clicked her tongue. ‘Jack’s a grown man and he’s a great father. You just keep talking to him, and if you don’t agree with something Pippa does, don’t make a scene, just calmly tell Jack why it’s not OK. You have to play it cool. If Jack thinks you’re criticizing her, he’ll take her side.’
    I was impressed with Mum’s wisdom. ‘You’re a wise woman.’
    She grinned. ‘I’ve been around a long time.’
    I hugged her. ‘Thanks, Mum.’
    ‘You’re welcome. Now go home and have a nice time with your daughter.’

    A s we were driving home , I asked Jess if she wanted to go ice-skating on Saturday. I had taken her once before and she’d loved it.
    ‘Really? Cool.’ She smiled at me for the first time in days.
    ‘And let’s make popcorn and watch a movie tonight.’
    ‘Seriously? On a school night?’ She looked surprised.
    ‘Why not? It’s Thursday, so you’ve only one day left before the weekend. Once you’ve finished your homework we’ll make the popcorn.’
    Jess grinned.
    My heart sang. It would be lovely to sit on the couch with my little girl and be together.
    Jess’s phone beeped. ‘Oh, my God!’ she squealed.
    ‘What?’ I asked.
    ‘Pippa has … Oh, my God, Mum … She’s got VIP tickets for the One Direction concert on Saturday. I’m going to the concert and then backstage to meet them after.’ She screamed and hugged her phone. ‘This is the coolest thing ever. Pippa rocks!’
    ‘But it’s my weekend with you,’ I reminded her.
    She looked at me in disbelief. ‘Are you crazy? Who cares? Mum, this is the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t wait to tell all my friends – they’re going to be so jealous. Pippa is just so amazing.’
    I wanted to cry. I wanted to take her phone and smash it into a thousand pieces. But instead I plastered a smile on my face and pretended I was happy for her. Because that’s what a good mum does … until her jaw breaks.

7
    Julie
    I changed for the sixth time. ‘How do I look?’ I asked Harry, who was shaving in the en-suite.
    ‘Julie, you looked good in all of the outfits you’ve shown me. What’s going on? Why are you so nervous about a cake sale? Come on, you’re only selling a few buns.’
    I sat down on the edge of the Jacuzzi. ‘You don’t understand. It’s not easy for me. I don’t fit in.’
    ‘What are you talking about? You fit in everywhere – everyone loves you.’
    I shook my head. ‘Not at Castle Academy. The women are very glamorous and confident. I find them intimidating. They all seem to know each other and that awful Victoria is the queen bee.’
    Harry wiped the last bits of shaving foam from his chin. ‘Julie, you’re worth ten of any of those women. Just go in there and be yourself.’
    ‘It’s not that easy. I’m doing this stupid cake sale because I really want this school to work. I want the triplets to have a good education. They’ll never be speaking ten different languages, like Clara, but I want them to have the best shot in life.’
    Harry grinned. ‘I reckon by the time poor Clara is nine she’ll be speaking ten languages, playing ten instruments and be the world chess champion.’
    ‘I feel sorry for her sometimes. She’s so quiet. I think Louise overdoes it.’ Much as I admired Louise’s determination to stimulate Clara, she was completely over the top.
    ‘Maybe you should say so to her.’
    I stared at Harry. ‘Have you met my sister?’
    He walked into the bedroom to get dressed. I