Lucy turned to her sister with a sigh. “He’s not right for youhe suits me better. Call off the wedding.”
“You’re not meant for each other,” Emma said, shaking her head. “He’s younger, and he fits me perfectly. The wedding should be canceled.”
Margaret lived in a spacious three-bedroom flat in a posh part of London, passed down from her grandmother. Apart from her young cousin, she had no close family. Yet she felt no bond with Emma.
At thirty-five, Margaret was unmarried but comfortable. She knew she couldnt rely on anyone, so shed studied hard, graduated from a top university, and landed a well-paid job at a prestigious firm. Her life was perfectexcept for one thing.
“You ought to marry, Margaret,” Emma would occasionally prod, pretending concern.
By thirty, her sister had already had three children and divorced twice. She lived in the outskirts, scraping by on alimony, pretending to build a life but never quite succeeding.
“I would,” Margaret would reply, “if there were anyone worth marrying.” At work, she buried herself in tasks, leaving little time for anything else. Then fate surprised her with a new neighbour upstairs. Theyd met by accident when she bumped into Daniels car in the car park… and it all started from there.
Daniel was five years younger, but neither cared. Margaret, traditional in her ways, refused to live with him before marriage, so after two months of courtship, he gave her a ring.
She bought a white trouser suit for the ceremony instead of a dress, and rather than a grand reception, they planned a honeymoon abroad. Everything was falling into placeuntil Emma interfered. A week before the wedding, she rang.
“Hi, sis… Mind if we stay with you a bit? Rents steep, and were skint. Its urgent.”
“Whats wrong?”
“I need an expensive surgery. Ill explain later,” she whispered, wrapping the conversation in mystery.
“If its serious… fine, come.” Margaret wasnt pleased but couldnt refuse. She knew too well the weight of having no one to turn to.
Emma arrived the next day with her suitcases and three young sons in tow. Margaret tolerated childrenone at a time. But three, always whinging…
“Lets agree on how long youll stay,” Margaret said, snatching a crayon from the youngest, whod already started doodling on the wall.
“Dunno… are we bothering you?” Emma huffed. “Sorry. We shouldve booked a B&B. Not that we could afford it. Skint, remember? And with doctors, tests…”
“Sorry. Of course youre not a bother. Whats really going on?” Margaret flushed, guilt gnawing at her. Emma was family, after all.
“Complicated,” Emma shrugged. “Eyesight troubles.”
“Whats wrong with your eyes?” Margaret had always seen her in glasses but never thought it serious.
“Dont fret, its my problem. Found a top-rated doctor, though. Sohows life?”
“Im getting married,” Margaret announced proudly.
“You never told me!”
“We decided against a big do.”
“With your salary, you couldve had a royal wedding!”
“Emma…”
“Fine, Ill butt out. So, this fiancéintroduce me?”
“He lives upstairs. Fancies popping round for tea.”
“Brilliant! Lay the tableIll wash my hair. That train ride left me sweaty.”
“Towels are in the loo.”
“Right. Wont be long. Watch the boys, yeah?”
Margaret frowned. Shed planned to bake Daniels favourite chocolate cake, not mind three hellions.
At first, the boys played quietly with toy cars. Flour, eggsshe began baking.
Peace didnt last. The cake never stood a chance. One spilled flour everywhere, another smeared himself (and the walls) with stolen chocolate, while the third methodically defoliated her prized ficus and emptied its soil.
“Emma! Your kids” Margaret stormed into the bathroom but stopped. Eyes closed, earphones in, Emma lounged in the tub, leisurely soaking instead of showering.
“Emma!”
“Why are you shouting? Something wrong?”
“Yes! Youve been in there an hour and a half! Ive got a man coming over, and Im covered in chocolate and flour! The kitchens a wreck!”
“Not my fault you cant handle kids,” Emma smirked.
The doorbell rang. Margaret answered, still in a filthy apron.
“Hello…?” Daniel eyed her state. “What happened?”
“Sisters here. Terrible timing.”
“Should I go?”
“No, stay. Were practically family.” She smiled, relieved hed brought a cake.
“If Im not intruding…”
Daniel was decent. He helped tidy the kitchen and even charmed Emmas boys.
Emma, meanwhile, lingered in the bath.
“Wheres your sister?”
“Drying off from the dampness of motherhood,” Margaret joked. Just then, Emma sauntered in, wrapped only in a towel.
“Hello… Daniel.” She struck a pose, one leg forward. Margaret gaped. Why was she half-naked in the kitchen?
“Evening,” Daniel replied politely.
“My favourite cake!” Emma giggled, swiping frosting with her finger and licking it, shocking Margaret.
“Emma, were having tea. Join usproperly dressed.”
“Shall I lose the towel?” She winked, ignoring Margaret.
Daniel stayed stoic, but Margaret mistook his silence for interest, her heart stinging.
Tea was tense. Emma acted bizarrely, while Margaret guarded her furniture from sticky fingers.
“Best go,” Daniel muttered when the air grew thick.
“Leaving so soon? Plenty of room here,” Emma purred.
“Daniel and I dont have that kind of arrangement,” Margaret snapped.
“How quaint! Out of date, love. Dont worryIll teach you how to handle men. Married soon and still clueless!”
“Goodbye. Lovely meeting you,” Daniel said stiffly.
“Likewise!” Emma called after him.
Margaret didnt speak to her all evening.
“Face ityoure not right for each other,” Emma declared the next morning.
“Oh?”
“Hes young, and youre… not.”
“Five years isnt much.”
“It shows.”
“What are you implying?”
“He suits me better.”
“Excuse me?”
“Got on smashing with the boys. And the way he looked at me… he wanted to stay!”
“With me!” Margaret seethed.
“Joking! Testing you.”
“What about your surgery?” Margaret changed tack.
“Tomorrow. But seeing the doctor today. Mind the boys?”
“I work.”
“Youre the boss!”
“So?”
“Make your own hours! Take the day off.” Emma eyed her like she was daft. “After surgery, Ill need rest. The boysll need minding.”
Margarets reply left Emma speechless.
