“Rita to her sister: Hes not right for youhe suits me better. Lets call off the wedding.”
“You two arent a good match,” Chantal told her sister. “Hes younger and fits me more. The wedding should be canceled.”
Emma lived in a spacious three-bed flat in a posh part of London, left to her by her grandmother. Aside from her younger cousin, Emma had no close family. But she never felt much of a connection to Charlotte.
At thirty-five, Emma was single but settled. She knew she couldnt rely on anyone, so shed studied hard, graduated from a top university, and landed a well-paid job at a big firm. Her life was perfect except for one thing.
“You should really get married, Emma,” Charlotte would say now and then when she checked in.
By thirty, her sister had already had three kids and divorced twice. She lived in the suburbs with her boys, scraping by on child support, trying to build a lifebut not quite managing.
“I would, but theres no one,” Emma would reply. At work, she focused on her tasks, and her free time was scarce. Then, fate surprised her with a new neighbour upstairs. Theyd bumped into each otherliterallywhen Emma reversed into Olivers car in the car park and thats how it all started.
Oliver was five years younger, but it didnt bother them. Emma, traditional as she was, wouldnt live with a man before marriage, so after two months, he proposed with a ring.
She bought a smart white trouser suit for the ceremony instead of a dress, and they skipped the big reception for a holiday. Everything was going smoothlyuntil Charlotte called a week before the wedding.
“Hey, sis Could we stay with you for a bit? Rents steep, and were skint. Its urgent.”
“Whats wrong?”
“I need an expensive procedure. Ill explain later,” she whispered, making it sound dramatic.
“Well, if its serious fine,” Emma agreed, reluctantly. She knew how hard it was to have no one to turn to.
Charlotte arrived the next day, suitcases and three rowdy boys in tow. Emma wasnt a fan of kidsone was tolerable, but three, constantly whining?
“Lets set a timeline for your stay,” Emma said, rescuing her pencil from the youngest, who was already sketching on the wall.
“Not sure Are we a bother?” Charlotte pouted. “Sorry. Maybe we shouldve gone to a B&B. A hotels out of the question. Were brokewhat with doctors fees and tests”
“Sorry. Of course youre not a bother. Whats actually wrong?” Emma flushed, guilty for being unwelcoming. After all, Charlotte was family.
“Its complicated,” Charlotte shrugged. “Eye trouble.”
“Your eyes? You wear glasses, but I didnt think it was that bad.”
“Dont worry about it. Just need a good specialist. Anyway, howve you been?”
“Im getting married,” Emma announced proudly.
“You didnt tell me?!”
“Were keeping it smallno big party.”
“How? With your salary, you could afford a massive wedding!”
“Charlotte”
“Sorry. Nosing again. So, whos the lucky guy? Introducing me?”
“Actually, he lives next door. Hes popping round for tea.”
“Brilliant! Set the tableIll wash my hair. That train ride left me sweaty.”
“Towels are in the bathroom.”
“Cheers. Wont be long. Mind the kids?”
Emma frowned. Shed planned to bake Olivers favourite chocolate cake, not babysit.
At first, the boys played quietly with toy cars. Emma cracked eggs, sifted flourthen chaos struck. One spilled flour everywhere, another smeared melted chocolate on himself and the walls, and the third stripped her favourite fern bare, flinging soil across the floor.
“Charlotte! Your kids” Emma stormed into the bathroomonly to find her sister relaxed in the tub, earbuds in, oblivious.
“Charlotte!”
“Why the shouting? Whats up?”
“Youve been soaking for ages! Im covered in flour and chocolate, the kitchens a wreck, and Olivers due any minute!”
“Not my fault you cant handle kids,” Charlotte shrugged. Thenthe doorbell. Emma answered, still in her stained apron.
“Hey” Oliver eyed her mess. “Rough day?”
“My sisters here. Bad timing.”
“Right. Should I go?”
“Stay. Were practically family,” Emma smiled, relieved hed brought a cakesmall mercies.
Oliver helped tidy up and even charmed Charlottes boys. Meanwhile, Charlotte lingered in the bath
“Wheres your sister?”
“Washing off the burdens of motherhood,” Emma joked. Just then, Charlotte waltzed inwrapped only in a towel.
“Hello Oliver,” she purred, striking a pose. Emma stiffenedwhy was her sister half-naked in the kitchen?
“Evening,” Oliver replied, polite but taken aback.
“My favourite cake!” Charlotte giggled, swiping frosting with her fingerthen licking it, shameless.
“Join us if you want, but put clothes on,” Emma snapped.
“Or take it off?” Charlotte smirked, ignoring her.
Oliver kept his cool, but Emma read his silence wrongstung by it.
Tea was awkward. Charlotte flirted; Emma fretted over her ruined flat.
“Ill head off,” Oliver said when tension thickened.
“Stay! Plenty of room,” Charlotte offered.
“We dont have that kind of relationship,” Emma cut in.
“God, youre old-fashioned. Lighten upIll teach you how to handle men. Weddings soon, and youre clueless.”
“Lovely meeting you,” Oliver said, pale.
“Likewise! See you soon,” Charlotte called after him.
Emma didnt speak to her all night.
“Face ityoure wrong for each other,” Charlotte declared the next morning.
“Oh?”
“Hes young. Youre not.”
“Five years isnt much.”
“It shows.”
“Whatre you implying?”
“Honestly? He suits me better.”
“Seriously?”
“He got on with the boys. And the way he looked at me he wanted to stay!”
“With me, not you!” Emma glared.
“Fine, joke ruined. Just testing you.”
“What about your procedure?” Emma changed the subject.
“Tomorrow. But Ive got a consult today. Youll watch the boys?”
“Im working.”
“Youre the boss!”
“And?”
“Call in a favour. Take the day.” Charlotte smirked. “Post-op, Ill need rest. The kidsll need minding.”
Emmas reply left her speechless.
