**Diary Entry 15th June**
I only wanted to help my sister, but in the end, all I heard was, “From now on, you mean nothing to me.”
“Mum, did you make cordial?” Emily asked, stepping into the kitchen where her mother stood. “The whole flat smells amazing.”
“I did, love,” Mum smiled, stirring the pot. “Blackcurrant. I know how much you like it.”
Emily wrapped her arms around her mothers shoulders and peered into the saucepan. The dark berries floated in syrup, filling the air with the familiar scent of childhood.
“Is Charlotte coming today?” Emily asked, settling at the table.
“She said shed pop by after lunch. Wants to talk about something important.”
Mum poured the cordial into glasses and slid one toward Emily.
“Try it. Not too sweet, is it?”
Emily took a sip and shook her head.
“Perfect. Just like I remember.”
Mum sat across from her, studying her daughters face.
“Emily, have you noticed how odd Charlottes been lately? She used to call every day, and now weeks go by without a word.”
“Mum, shes got work, the kids. Shes busy.”
“Maybe. But somethings off. I saw her yesterday at Tescoshe barely looked at me.”
Emily frowned. Charlotte *had* been distant. Short replies, leaving family gatherings early, always distracted.
“Probably just stress,” Emily said. “Ill talk to her.”
The doorbell cut them off. Mum hurried to answer it.
“Charlotte! So glad youre here!” her cheerful voice rang from the hall.
“Hi, Mum,” came Charlottes flat reply.
Emily heard footsteps, then her sister appeared in the kitchen doorway. Charlottes jaw was tight, her lips pressed into a thin line.
“Hi, Char,” Emily greeted. “Sit downMum made cordial.”
“No, thanks,” Charlotte said coldly, staying put.
Mum glanced between them, uneasy.
“Love, whats wrong? You seem”
“Im *fine*,” Charlotte cut in. “I need to talk to Emily. Alone.”
Emily blinked. Shed never heard that tone from her sister before.
“Mum, maybe give us a minute?”
Mum nodded and slipped out, throwing a worried glance back.
Charlotte stepped closer but didnt sit.
“Right. Enough playing the saint.”
“What?” Emily stared.
“Your little secrets. Thought I wouldnt find out?”
A chill ran down Emilys spine. She scrambled for explanations but came up empty.
“Charlotte, just say what you mean.”
“*James*. Ring any bells?” Charlottes voice turned sharp.
Emily froze. JamesCharlottes husbandhad confided in her months ago. Shed thought it was private.
“What exactly are you accusing me of?”
“Stop playing dumb!” Charlotte snapped. “I *know* about your cosy little café meetups. How you comforted him when we were struggling. That *hug* in the car park.”
She shoved her phone at Emily. Photos of her and James at a café. One blurred shot of an embrace.
“Charlotte, its not what you”
“Not what?!” Charlotte laughed bitterly. “Then *what*? Explain why my sisters sneaking around with my husband!”
Emily exhaled heavily. Shed dreaded this.
“James came to me for advice. He said you were talking divorce. He was desperate.”
“And you *helped*?” Charlottes voice rose. “How *noble*!”
“He was heartbroken! Said he loved you, didnt want to lose the family. I just listened!”
“Listened?” Charlotte finally sat, rigid. “Why *you*? Why not his mates? His *mother*?”
Emily faltered. Why *had* James chosen her?
“I dont know. Maybe because Im your sisterId understand your side.”
“*Liar*!” Charlotte exploded. “He came to you because youve *always* hung on his every word! Even when we were dating, you flirted with him!”
“Thats ridiculous! We met a few times. I hugged him because he was *crying*. Nothing happened!”
“And then he suddenly changed his mind about divorce,” Charlotte hissed. “Started preaching about saving the family. I thought it was *his* epiphany. Turns out it was *yours*!”
Emily stood, reaching for her.
“Char, I just wanted”
“*Help*?” Charlotte recoiled. “You decided *for me*! Meddled in my marriage without asking!”
“But youre still together! Things seem better now!”
“You think *no divorce* means *happy ever after*?” Charlottes eyes welled with angry tears. “James throws your wisdom in my face every fight! Emily says family matters. Emily thinks *youre* selfish. Im a *stranger* in my own home!”
Emily sank into her chair. The damage was worse than shed imagined.
“Charlotte, I never called you selfish”
“Then what *did* you say? Enlighten me!”
Emily swallowed. There was no right answer now.
“I said you loved each other. That you had kids, a life. Not to throw it away over a rough patch.”
“*Rough patch*?” Charlotte shot up. “He *cheated on me*! I found texts to his ex! *Thats* a rough patch to you?”
Emilys stomach dropped. James had never mentioned cheatingjust misunderstandings.
“Charlotte, I didnt know”
“Of *course* not! But you *advised* him anyway! Now Im stuck with a man I hate because my *perfect sister* said so!”
Mum hovered in the doorway.
“Girls, whats all this shouting? The neighbours will hear!”
“Not your business, *Mum*!” Charlotte spat.
“Charlotte!” Mum gasped. “How *could* you?”
Charlotte turned, and Emily saw raw pain in her eyes.
“How *should* I talk? Smile and pretend everythings fine? Like our *perfect family* taught me?”
“Charlotte, leave Mum out of this,” Emily said.
“Oh, *now* you care?” Charlottes laugh was icy. “Mum always said I was too stubborn, needed to listen more. And you *ran* with that!”
Mum paled. “I dont understand. Whats happened?”
“Your golden child,” Charlotte said coldly, “has been counselling *my husband* behind my back. Fixing *my marriage* without me.”
Mum turned to Emily. “*Is* this true?”
“Mum, its not”
“Its *exactly* that!” Charlotte cut in. “Now Im supposed to *thank* her? Live with a cheater because *family comes first*?”
Emily reached for Charlotte, but she stepped back.
“Lets talk properly. Ill explain”
“I dont *want* your excuses,” Charlotte said quietly. “Just know this: From today, youre *nothing* to me.”
Silence. Even Mum was speechless.
“Charlotte, dont be silly,” Mum whispered. “Youre *sisters*.”
“*Were* sisters,” Charlotte corrected. She pulled out her phone, fingers flying.
“What are you doing?” Emily asked.
“Blocking you. Everywhere. I never want to see your name again.”
“Charlotte, *stop*!” Emily cried. “This is insane!”
Charlottes eyes burned. “*Insane*? You hijacked my *life*! Made me stay with a man I *loathe*!”
“*No one* forced you!”
“*Your words* did! James parrots them *daily*! Ive felt *guilty* for wanting out!”
Mum clutched her chest. “Girls, *please*my blood pressure”
Charlotte didnt soften.
“Mum, go lie down. This isnt your mess.”
“How can I *rest*?” Mum sobbed. “Youve always been so *close*!”
“*Were* close,” Charlotte said. “But trust ends where betrayal starts.”
“*Betrayal*?” Emily choked. “I *tried to help*!”
“*Help*?” Charlotte pressed her palms to her temples. “You didnt *ask* if I *wanted* help! Just decided you *knew better*!”
“But James *said*”
“*James said*!” Charlotte mimicked. “It never *occurred* to you he might *lie*? Show *his* side only?”
Emilys throat tightened. Charlotte was rightshed taken James at his word.
“Charlotte, Im *sorry*. I messed up.”
“*Now* you see?” Charlottes smile was bitter. “*After* six months of hell?”
“Ill fix it. Ill talk to James”