“My sister is more important to me, and you’re just a stranger,” said the husband, choosing who to live with.
“Victor, dont just stand there like a lampposthelp me with the shopping!” shouted Emily from the hallway, peeling off her rain-soaked coat.
Victor reluctantly tore himself away from the football match on the telly and walked over to his wife. Rain drummed against the windows, and the flat had turned chilly from the damp air.
“Did you go to the market again? Everythings so expensive there,” he muttered, peering into the heavy bags.
“Where else am I supposed to get decent tomatoes? The supermarket ones are all chemicals. Sophies coming tomorrow with the kidsI want to make the beef stew she loves.”
Emily untied the bags in the kitchen while Victor silently watched her fuss. She always went all out before his younger sisters visitsas if preparing for a holiday. She bought the priciest ingredients, scrubbed the flat till it shone, and pulled out the best china.
“I dont get why you bother with all this,” Victor mumbled. “Sophies not fussy.”
“Fussy or not, guests should be treated properly. Especially family,” Emily shot back, stacking vegetables in the fridge.
She knew her husband disapproved of her efforts, but she kept at it out of principle. Sophieor “Sophie Victoria,” as Emily always called her, even in her headwasnt just Victors sister. She was some unattainable ideal. Beautiful, successful, with two well-behaved kids and a husband who earned well. She lived in Manchester, worked in finance, and dressed impeccably. Next to her, Emily always felt like a plain Jane.
The doorbell interrupted her thoughts.
“Thats early,” Victor frowned, checking his watch. “They said theyd come after lunch.”
But it wasnt Sophie and her family at the doorit was their neighbour, Auntie Margaret, her eyes red from crying.
“Emily, love, help me out, please! My cats gone missingmy sweet Whiskers! Ive been looking everywhere for three days. Have you seen him?”
Emily invited her in and put the kettle on. Auntie Margaret was lonelyher cat was all the family she had.
“Havent seen him, Auntie Marge. Maybe hes locked himself in somewhere? Have you checked the cellar?”
“Ive looked everywhere! Even asked the caretakersthey havent seen him either. Oh, what if hes gone for good? What will I do without my Whiskers?”
Victor rolled his eyes and turned back to the telly. He couldnt stand the neighbours dramaor Auntie Margarets constant tears. Emily poured tea and sat beside the distraught woman.
“Dont fret like this. Cats are cleverhell turn up. Mightve found himself a lady friend.”
“But hes neutered!” Auntie Margaret sniffled. “What would he want with ladies?”
They sat at the table for over an hour. Emily listened patiently to her wailing, offering advice and reassurance. Victor glanced pointedly at his watch several times, but his wife ignored him.
When Auntie Margaret finally left, he snapped.
“Listen, weve got guests coming today, and youre wasting time with that daft old woman!”
“Victor, honestly! Shes upsetshes lost her cat. Id be beside myself too!”
“A cat! Its just an animal! Sophie and the kids are on their way, and youre not even ready yet!”
Emily clenched her teeth. There it was againSophie. As if life meant nothing without her.
That evening, the family arrived. Sophie Victoria looked flawless, as always. A smart blazer, perfect hair, designer heels. The kidsten-year-old Oliver and eight-year-old Ameliarushed straight to Uncle Vic.
“Uncle Vic! You promised to show us the new game on your laptop!” Amelia babbled.
“I will, I will!” Victor laughed, hugging them. “Just get changed first.”
Around his sister, he transformedcheerful, attentive, warm. Emily watched it happen every time and couldnt understandwhy was he so different with her?
“How was the drive? Not too tired?” she fussed over the guests.
“Fine, thanks, Emily. Though the rain caused some awful traffic,” Sophie replied politely.
Theyd never been close. Emily had tried hard to bond with her sister-in-law, but Sophie remained polite yet distantas if tolerating her brothers wife out of duty.
Dinner was awkward. The kids chattered about school, Sophie talked about work, and Victor laughed at her stories. Emily mostly stayed quiet, refilling teacups and passing plates.
“Remember, Vic, how wed stuff ourselves with this stew as kids?” Sophie grinned. “Mum used to chase us with a spoon!”
“Course I remember! Youd hide under the table, and Id bolt to the garden!”
They reminisced about childhood, mutual friends, family anecdotes. Emily felt like an outsider at her own table.
“Emily, why so quiet?” Sophie suddenly asked.
“Oh, just tired.”
“Shes always tired,” Victor cut in. “Work stresses her out, then she comes home miserable.”
Emily flinched. How could he speak about her like that in front of others? Even if they were family?
“Works stressful for everyone these days,” Sophie said mildly.
After dinner, the men settled in front of the telly, the kids played on their tablets, and the women cleared up in the kitchen.
“Need help?” Sophie offered, though without real enthusiasm.
“No, Ive got it.”
Emily washed dishes while laughter drifted in from the next roomVictor and Sophie sharing some private joke, the kids occasionally chiming in.
“Emily,” Sophie began suddenly, “I wanted to talk to you.”
“Go on.”
“Vic mentioned you want children.”
Emily froze, a plate in her hands. Hed discussed their private life with his sister?
“Well, weve been married seven years,” she said carefully.
“Look, as his older sister, I worry about him. Kids are a huge responsibility. And expensive these days.”
“Well manage.”
“Will you?” Sophie gave a faint smile. “Emily, no offence, but be realistic. Vic doesnt earn much, neither do you. Youre renting, no car. Kids need clothes, shoes, nursery fees. Then school, university…”
Emily set the plate down and turned.
“Whats it to you?”
“If anything goes wrong, Ill have to step in. Vic always relies on me.”
“Nobodys asking you to.”
“Not asking, but Id have to. Hes my only brother.”
Emily felt something boil inside her. So Victor didnt just confide in his sisterhe complained about her too?
“Sophie, this is between me and Victor.”
“Of course. Just giving my opinion. Maybe wait a bit? Get more stable first?”
In the living room, the kids burst into laughterVictor entertaining them with some story.
“Soph, remember old Mr. Jenkins next door?” he called out. “The one always stumbling home drunk?”
“How could I forget? Mum used to say, ‘Study hard or youll end up like him!'”
Their shared laughter rang out. In the kitchen, silence thickened.
“I wont put motherhood on hold for money,” Emily said quietly.
“Your choice. But think about Vic. Hes struggling enough as it is.”
“Struggling how? Whats he told you?”
Sophie hesitated, realising shed said too much.
“Nothing serious. Just work stresshis boss is giving him grief.”
“Odd. He hasnt mentioned that to me.”
“Well, men dont like complaining to their wives. Easier to talk to a sister.”
Emily nodded, but inside, she burned. So her husband kept secrets from herbut spilled everything to Sophie?
The rest of the evening was tense. Emily bit back her anger, but she felt like a stranger in her own home. Victor doted on his sister and the kids, barely glancing at his wife.
When the guests settled in the living room (theyd made up the sofa bed), the couple retreated to their bedroom.
“Nice evening,” Victor yawned, pulling off his shirt.
“Mm.”
“Why the long face? Sophie said you were acting odd.”
“I was odd?” Emily snapped. “You discussed our plans with her?”
“What plans?”
“Children! She just lectured me about money and responsibility!”
Victor paused, shirt half-off.
“So what? Sophies smartshes got two kids, knows the score. Good to get advice.”
“Advice? She outright said were not ready!”
“Well, maybe shes right? Look, Em, we can barely afford us.”
Emily sat on the bed.
“So you agree with her?”
“Im saying shes right about the money. Kids cost a fortune.”
“Victor, Im thirty! How much longer should I wait?”
“Dunno. Couple
