The neighbours closer to me than you are, Mum said, then hung up the phone.
Emily stood in the kitchen of her London flat, gripping her phone like it had turned into a viper. Shed just rung her mum in Bristol, wanting to share the good news about her promotion at work. And thats what she got in return.
Whats wrong? asked her husband, James, stepping into the kitchen. Youve gone pale.
Mum said the neighbours closer to her than I am. Emily set the phone down slowly. Just like that. No warning.
Did you two argue about something?
No! I was telling her about the promotion, and she cut me offEmily, youre off with your own life, but Margaret next door helps me every daypops to the shops, picks up my prescriptions. Shes more like family than you are.
James frowned and sat across from her. Maybe shes not well? Could be her mind
Its not her mind! She knew exactly what she was saying. She wanted it to hurt. And dyou know what started it? I asked her to stay with us this summerrent a cottage in the Cotswolds. She said, What do I need your cottage for when Ive got Margaret? We potter in the garden together.
Emily fell silent, then let out a bitter laugh. And Ive been sending her money every week. Fifty quid. Just in case. Thought itd make things easier.
Stop sending it, James said flatly. If the neighbours closer, let the neighbour help.
James, dont say that! Shes my mum.
Your mum, who just belittled you? Wake up, Em. A decent parent doesnt speak to their child like that.
Emily walked to the window. Kids were playing in the courtyard below, their laughter drifting up, but it felt distant now, like it belonged to someone else.
Margaret really was a good neighbour. Lived next door, widowed, kids up in Scotland who visited once a year. Emily remembered her from childhoodstrict, always scolding them if they made noise in the hallway. And now she was Mums real family.
The phone rang. Mums name flashed on the screen.
Dont answer, James said.
What if somethings wrong?
If somethings wrong, let her close neighbour handle it.
Emily picked up anyway.
Hello?
Emily, whyd you hang up? We were talking.
You hung up, Mum. After the neighbour comment.
Oh, that Mums voice turned sharp. Well, its true. Margarets here every day, while youre off in London. When my blood pressure spiked last month, who called the ambulance? Margaret. Where were you?
Mum, I was at work! You never told me!
Whats the point? You wouldnt have come anyway. Too busy with your important job, your important life.
Emilys throat tightened. Old wounds, long buried, were rising in her mums voice.
Mum, do you want me to come down tomorrow? Ill take the day off.
Dont bother! I dont need you. Margarets taking me to the doctors tomorrow. Youd probably just be on your phone the whole time anyway.
Emily flinched.
Fine, Mum. Whatever you say.
Ohand dont send me any more money. Margaret says its not right, kids buying their guilt with cash. Ill manage.
Silence. Rustling on the line, then Mums voice, but not to her:
Margaret, love, whats this medicine youve brought? For the stomach? Oh, youre a gem
Im hanging up now, Emily whispered to the empty air, pressing the red button.
James squeezed her shoulder. She doesnt know what shes saying. Could be her age.
She knows. Emily pulled away. Im just not family anymore. When I was at uni, shed say, Why bother with degrees? Marry, have babies. Then when I got the jobCareer woman, forgot about family.
Em, you call her every week!
And every week, I hear how Ive failed. Dont visit enough, gifts arent right, dont spend time with the grandkids. Now theres Margaret.
She slumped into a chair, rubbing her face.
You know the worst part? I was going to ask her to move in with us. Not just the summerproperly. Give her the spare room, make it nice. Thought itd be good for her. And she prefers the neighbour.
The twinsLiam and Sophie, ten years oldburst in, schoolbags thudding, voices loud over some playground drama.
Mum, when are we visiting Grandma? Sophie asked. You said summer holidays.
Emily hesitated. Maybe not this time, love.
Why? Liam frowned. What about the presents we made?
Over the summer, theyd crafted a photo album, collected drawings, even stitched a handkerchief in school. All waiting in a box, ready for Bristol.
Well give them to her later, Emily murmured.
Mum, are you poorly? Sophie peered up. Your eyes are red.
Just tired.
James herded the kids out, murmuring about Grandma not feeling her best and well go soon.
That night, after the twins were asleep, Emily sat in the lounge flipping through old photos. Her, tiny, with Mum in Cornwallboth grinning, Mums arms around her. Baking cookies at eight, flour everywhere. Graduation day, Mum beaming beside her gold-medal daughter.
When had it changed? After Dad died? Or sooner?
Five years since the funeral, and Mum had shrunk into herselfsnippy, perpetually dissatisfied. Emily had told herself it was grief. But time passed, and Mum only grew colder.
Penny for your thoughts? James settled beside her.
That Im a rubbish daughter.
Bollocks! You call, you send money, you visit when you can. What more does she want?
Me. Living next door. Like Margaret.
And what about your job? The kids? Us?
Emily shrugged. Doesnt matter to her. Only that Im not there.
The phone rang again. Unknown number.
Hello?
Emily? Its Margaretyour mums neighbour. You need to come. Shes not right. After your call, she started crying and wont stop. I dont know what to do.
Emilys mouth went dry. Whats whats wrong?
Just keeps saying, Ive hurt my girl, Ive hurt my girl. Ive made tea, tried calming her, but she wont listen. Says youll never speak to her again.
Margaret, is she ill? Her mind
No, no! Jeans sharp as a tack. Just heartbroken. Says she was stupid, said things she didnt mean. Loves you to bits, just cant say it proper.
The bitterness in Emilys chest softened.
Tell her Ill be there tomorrow. Promise.
Oh, thank goodness. I was about to ring the GP.
After Margaret hung up, Emily sat clutching the phone.
Youre going? James asked.
Yeah. Taking the kids. Let them give Grandma their presents. Maybe she just doesnt know how to say she misses us.
And if she brings up Margaret again?
She wont. Margarets lovely, but shes not family. Im her daughter. Always will be, no matter what she says.
The next morning, Emily took the day off, packed the twins, and caught the train to Bristol. Liam and Sophie chattered about Grandmas reaction to their gifts, while Emily watched the countryside blur past, thinking how people sometimes say everything except what they really mean.
Mum answered the door, eyes red and swollen. Seeing Emily, she pulled her into a tight hug.
Forgive me, love. Silly old woman. Didnt mean any of it
Its okay, Mum. Emily stroked her grey hair. Were here now.
Margaret, lingering in her own doorway, smiled faintly and slipped inside. Neighbours were good, but familyfamily was everything.
