Youre perfect in our eyes.
Want to know why? Because Im fed up always being the runnerup! Poppy shouted, throwing her hands in the air. Everywhere, always! At school you were the top student, every teacher adored you. At university you earned a firstclass degree, while I was just scraping through resits. At work youre getting promotions and bonuses, and Im stuck in the same seat! I want a high salary and the bosss respect too! Get it? I want to be number one as well!
***
So, there I go again, getting a slap on the wrist from the boss Poppy muttered, closing her laptop and flopping back in her office chair with a sigh.
Molly looked up from her screen, a wry grin on her face.
You made a mistake in the report, didnt you? Did they pat you on the head for that?
Poppy pursed her lips and stared out the window, cheeks flushing with annoyance. Molly ignored her sisters sulky stare and started gathering her things. Finally the workday was over. The paperwork was neatly slipped into a folder, the coffee mug was set in the sink.
Poppy remained deliberately silent as they walked down the corridor to the exit. Only when the doors of the office block closed behind them did the younger sister speak again.
Its easy for you to laugh. Youre perfect, arent you?
Molly exhaled. These arguments had become far too frequent lately. Poppy used to brush off the bosss criticism with a joke and move on; now there was a bitter edge to every word.
I just do my job well, Poppy. You can, too.
Sure, of course.
Theyd been working for three years in a large trading companys procurement department. Molly had landed the job first; six months later she helped Poppy get in. The sisters had always been close, backing each other in everything. Their approaches to work, however, could not have been more different.
Molly stayed late, poring over supplier markets, comparing terms from dozens of firms before making a decision. Poppy preferred a laidback style get the minimum done by the deadline, then spend the rest of the day scrolling on her phone or chatting by the kitchen. Molly never judged her sisters outlook; everyone has their own way.
A month ago, something that should have been a family celebration happened. Management called Molly into the directors office and offered her a promotion senior procurement manager with a solid salary bump. Molly was taken aback by the surprise but accepted straight away. Years of painstaking work had finally paid off.
Poppy hugged her and congratulated her, but Molly noticed how quickly the smile faded from Poppys face, how forced the words sounded. That evening they went to a café to toast the news, but the atmosphere was off. Poppy kept steering the conversation toward salaries, asking how much more Molly would be earning and how many overtime hours shed have to put in.
Youre just lucky the bosses noticed you; otherwise youd still be stuck atwell, you know Poppy blurted out midsentence.
Lucky? Molly asked. I worked on that project for two months without a day off.
Yeah, right.
Six months later Molly was appointed head of the whole department. The news spread through the office like wildfire. Colleagues shook hands, offered congratulations and wished her success. Poppy was the last to come over, hugged her sister and whispered in her ear:
Congrats. Now youre one of the big shots around here.
There was no warmth in those words. Molly stepped back, met Poppys eyes, and saw something cold and foreign staring back, like a hidden snake.
In the weeks that followed, Mollys office life changed subtly but steadily. At first she brushed off the little things. Poppy stopped inviting her to group lunches. Jim from the neighbouring department no longer dropped by with his morning tea. Colleagues greeted her with dry nods, then turned away. Behind her back, whispers and muffled snickers could be heard. Whenever she turned, everyone pretended they were busy.
Molly was baffled. What had happened? Shed always been open, helpful, willing to share knowledge. Could a promotion really warp peoples attitudes that much? She hadnt changed she didnt yell at subordinates, didnt demand the impossible, didnt throw obstacles in anyones way.
One evening, as Molly was about to leave, Claire from HR knocked on her door, fidgeting and shifting weight from foot to foot.
Come in Molly called. Whats up?
Claire closed the door behind her and sank into the chair opposite. Her face was a mixture of embarrassment and unease.
I need to tell you something. Im really ashamed, but you deserve to know the truth.
Molly set her pen down and gave Claire her full attention. Claire swallowed and began:
Poppy has been spreading rumours about you for months now. She tells anyone wholl listen that the ideas in your projects are actually hers, that youre stealing her work, that you only got the promotion because of backscratching and connections. She says you look down on the rest of us, that you think were foolish idiots.
Poppy? Her younger sister, the one shed helped get the job, the one shed defended? The very person shed quietly corrected for the team? Poppy was turning the whole office against her?
Are you sure youve got the facts right? Molly asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Absolutely. At first I didnt want to believe it. Thought maybe it was a misunderstanding. But she says it constantly, to everyone. People are starting to believe it. You know how fast gossip spreads, and the more outlandish it sounds, the more it gets taken as truth
Molly didnt remember how she said goodbye to Claire and walked to her car. The whole drive home, thoughts of Poppy swirled like a chaotic swarm. Why? How? Theyd always been together. Molly had supported her sister, protected her, helped her. And now betrayal.
Poppy opened the flat door, surprise flickering across her face.
Molly? Whats wrong? Something happen?
Molly stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, turned to face her sister, and met her gaze.
Why?
What are you talking about?
Why are you turning the whole office against me? Why lie that I stole your ideas? Why spread those rumours? Molly said, voice cold and detached.
Poppy stumbled, crossed her arms over her chest. Her face flushed with a strange heat.
And what, Claire told you?
Doesnt matter who said it! Answer me!
Dont shout at me in my own home! This is personal!
Im not shouting, Poppy. Im demanding an explanation. How could you do this? Were sisters!
The younger sister lunged forward. In her eyes flickered something Molly had never seen before anger? Hurt? Something wholly different.
You want to know why? Because Im sick of always being second! Poppy exploded. Everywhere, always! At school you were the star, teachers adored you. At university you got a firstclass degree, while I barely scraped through resits. At work youre getting promotions and bonuses, and Im stuck in the same seat! I want a high salary and the bosss respect too! Got it? I want to be number one!
Molly stayed silent. Poppy kept going, not pausing for breath:
Youve always been ahead. Always perfect. Mollysmart, Mollybeautiful, Mollyhardworking. And me? Just a shadow. The clueless little sister who always messes things up!
Then you should have worked harder, Molly replied. Put in the effort, not watch videos at your desk and gossip in the kitchen. You wanted respect? Earn it. But dont drag me through the mud for it.
Poppy opened her mouth, but Molly cut her off, turned and walked out of the flat. The door clicked shut behind her. Tears ran down her cheeks, which she swiped away fiercely. Hold on, you have to hold on.
The next morning Molly submitted a transfer request to the companys Manchester branch. HR was surprised but signed the paperwork without fuss. Molly was a valuable employee; they didnt want to lose her. The transfer was approved within two days.
Poppy heard about it from coworkers and called that evening. Molly stared at the caller ID for a long moment before answering.
Youre moving? Poppy said, flatly.
Yes.
So youre running away.
No. Im just going where no one will plot against me behind my back.
Youre betraying me! Traitor! Sister, what are you doing?!
Molly gave no reply, hung up, and said nothing more. There was nothing left to say.
Three months in Manchester flew by. The new team welcomed her warmly, projects ran smoothly, and the nightmare from the London office faded. Then one evening Claire rang again.
Molly, have you heard? Theyve let Poppy go.
Molly froze, phone pressed to her ear.
What?
Last week. She missed deadlines on three contracts in a row, made errors in reports. Management had been patient, but finally they decided to sack her. Without you, everything fell apart. Thats how it went
But I didnt
Molly, you were fixing her mistakes for years. It just wasnt visible. When you left, everything came to light. Poppy couldnt cope without your safety net.
Molly put the phone down and sat in silence.
The following day Poppy turned up at Mollys flats doorstep, hair a mess, eyes bloodshot, clothes rumpled. She burst into the hallway and shouted:
Are you happy now? You got me sacked! You moved just to set me up! Did you do it on purpose?!
Molly looked at her calmly.
What am I guilty of, Poppy? You had a chance to prove yourself. I didnt block you. What did you do? Ruined everything.
Its your fault! You!
No, youre the one who caused what happened. And now you can forget the way back to my house.
Molly opened the front door wide. Poppy froze, unable to grasp that her sister was truly sending her away. Poppy turned and fled down the stairwell, the door slamming shut with a deafening bang.
An hour later Mum shouted over the phone:
What are you doing?! Youre to blame for Poppys firing! You abandoned her! Selfish! Youve always been selfish! You should have helped, not bolted to another office! Youve ruined our family! Its all your fault!
Molly tried to explain, talked about the rumours, the betrayal, how Poppy herself had driven the situation to the point of dismissal. But Mum kept shouting, accusing, demanding an immediate fix.
Youve betrayed the family, Molly. Remember that. Its a sin.
The line clicked off.
She was alone. The family turned their backs the moment Molly chose to protect herself, the moment she stopped sacrificing for her sister.
She would be fine. Molly had always been strong, and now that strength was needed more than ever.
An email from senior management popped up: relocation to the capital, a new role, a new city, a fresh start. If before shed doubted whether to accept, now she answered with confidence.
With everyone turned away, there was nothing holding her in this town. Time to think only of herself.
Weeks of chaotic moving passed. In the new place Molly settled quickly. She didnt look back, didnt try to fit in. Relations with the family remained limited to dry holiday greetings. But Molly no longer fretted. They hadnt loved her much, so they let her go with ease.
