Rita turned to her sister and said, “He isnt right for youhe suits me better. Call off the wedding.”
“You two arent meant for each other,” said Emily to her sister. “Hes younger, and Im a better match. You should cancel it.”
Margaret lived in a spacious three-bedroom flat in a posh part of London, inherited from her grandmother. Aside from her younger cousin, she had no close family. But she felt no bond with Emily.
At thirty-five, Margaret was unmarriedbut she had a home. She knew she couldnt rely on anyone else, so she had studied hard, graduated from a prestigious university, and landed a well-paid job at a top firm. Her life was perfect, save for one thing
“You really should get married, Margaret,” Emily would say now and then, checking in on her.
By thirty, her sister had already had three children and divorced twice. She lived in the suburbs on alimony, struggling to build a life but never quite managing.
“I suppose I should, but theres no one to marry,” Margaret would reply. At work, she preferred to focus on tasks, with little time for anything else. Then, fate surprised her in the form of a new neighbour upstairs. Theyd met by accident when Margaret bumped into James car in the car park and so it began.
James was five years younger, but it didnt faze them. Margaret, though traditional, refused to live with a man before marriage, so after two months together, James gave her a ring.
She bought a white trouser suit instead of a dress, and rather than a grand reception, they planned a honeymoon abroad. Everything was going smoothly until Emily interfered. She called Margaret a week before the wedding.
“Hey sis any chance we could stay at yours for a bit? Rentings expensive, and were skint. Its urgent.”
“Whats happened?”
“I need an expensive procedure. Ill explain later,” she whispered, wrapping the matter in mystery.
“Well, if its serious come over,” Margaret said, grudgingly. She knew how hard it was to have no one to turn to.
Emily arrived the next day with suitcases and her three boys, all under ten. Margaret wasnt fond of childrenone was bearable, but three, always whinging
“Lets settle how long youre staying,” Margaret said, prying a crayon from the youngest, already doodling on the wall.
“Dunno are we bothering you?” Emily huffed. “Sorry maybe we shouldve booked a B&B. Couldnt afford a hotel. Dead broke what with doctors, tests”
“Sorry. Of course youre not a bother. Whats wrong?” Margaret flushed, guilty for being unwelcoming. Emily was family, after all.
“Its complicated,” Emily shrugged. “Eye trouble.”
“Whats wrong with your eyes?” Margaret was used to seeing her in glasses but never thought it serious.
“Dont worry about it. Point is, I found a good specialist. Anyway, howve you been?”
“Im getting married,” Margaret announced proudly.
“And you didnt tell me?!”
“We decided against a big do.”
“With your salary, you couldve had a right posh affair!”
“Emily”
“Sorry. Sticking my nose in again. So, whos the bloke? Introducing me?”
“He lives upstairsmeant to pop round for tea.”
“Smashing! Set the table, then. Ill wash my hair. That train ride left me sweaty.”
“Towels are in the bathroom.”
“Cheers. Wont be long. Mind the kids?”
Margaret frowned. Shed planned to bake James favourite chocolate cake, not babysit.
The boys played quietly at first. Flour, eggs she began mixing.
It didnt last. The cake was never finished. One knocked over the flour, another smeared himselfand the wallswith chocolate. The third quietly plucked leaves from her favourite ficus, scattering soil everywhere.
“Emily! Your kids” Margaret marched to the bathroom, ready to hand them back. But her sister didnt hear. Eyes shut, earphones in, she lounged in the tub instead of showering quickly.
“Emily!”
“Why the shouting? Whats wrong?”
“Youve been in there an hour! I need to get ready, and Im covered in chocolate and flour. The kitchens a tip! Where do I even start?”
“Not my fault you cant handle kids,” Emily shrugged. Then, the doorbell rang. Margaret greeted James in a filthy apron.
“Alright?” He eyed her state. “What happened?”
“My sister turned up. Bad timing.”
“Right. Should I go?”
“No, stay. Were nearly family.” She smiled, taking the cake hed brought. Thank God he hadnt come empty-handed.
“Alright, then.”
James was decent. He helped tidy the kitchen and even won the boys over.
Emily, though, took ages.
“Wheres your sister?”
“Washing off the kid residue,” Margaret joked. Just then, Emily strutted in, wrapped only in a towel.
“Hello James,” she purred, striking a pose. Margaret gaped. Why was she half-naked in the kitchen?
“Evening,” he said politely.
“My favourite cake!” She giggled, swiping frosting with her finger and licking it, shocking Margaret.
“Emily, were having tea. Join us properly dressed.”
“Or undressed?” She winked, ignoring her.
James stayed neutral, but Margaret mistook his silence for interest. It stung.
Tea was tense. Emily acted oddly, while Margaret fussed over her wrecked flat.
“Best be off,” James said when the air grew thick.
“Why? Theres room,” Emily offered.
“James and I arent like that,” Margaret cut in.
“Ha! How old-fashioned. Dont worry, Ill teach you how to handle men. Weddings soon, and youre clueless.”
“Lovely to meet you,” James said stiffly.
“You too! See you soon,” Emily called as he left.
Margaret didnt speak to her all evening.
“Look, you two arent right for each other,” Emily said the next morning.
“Oh?”
“Hes young, and youre”
“Its not that big a gap.”
“But it shows.”
“Whats that supposed to mean?”
“Well he suits me better.”
“Really?”
“He got on with the boys. And the way he looked at me he wanted to stay!”
“With me! Not you!” Margaret snapped.
“Alright, alright! Only joking. Testing you.”
“What about your procedure?” Margaret changed tack.
“Tomorrow. Seeing the doctor today. Youll watch the kids?”
“Ive work.”
“But youre the boss!”
“And?”
“You set your own hours. Take the day off,” Emily said, as if it were obvious. “And after the op, Ill need rest. Theyll need looking after.”
Margarets reply left her speechless.
