“Mum, did you make cordial?” asked Emma as she stepped into the kitchen where her mother stood. “The whole house smells lovelyjust like I remember.”
“I did, darling,” smiled Margaret Wilson, stirring the pot on the stove. “Blackberry. I know how much you love it.”
Emma wrapped her arms around her mothers shoulders and peered into the pot. The dark berries floated in the crimson syrup, releasing the familiar scent of childhood summers.
“Is Sophie coming round today?” she asked, settling at the table.
“She promised to stop by for tea. Said she had something important to discuss.”
Margaret poured the cordial into glasses and slid one toward Emma.
“Tell me, is it too sweet?”
Emma took a sip and shook her head.
“Perfect. Just like when we were little.”
Her mother sat opposite, studying her carefully.
“Emma, love, have you noticed Sophies been acting strange lately? She used to call every day, and now weeks go by without a word.”
“Mum, shes got work, the childrenshes busy. Not everyone talks as much as youd like.”
“Perhaps. But somethings not right. Yesterday I saw her at the market, and when I waved, she looked straight through me.”
Emma frowned. Her sister *had* been distant these past monthsslow to reply to messages, quiet at family gatherings, always the first to leave.
“Maybe shes got troubles,” Emma suggested. “Ill talk to her.”
A knock at the door cut them off. Margaret hurried to answer.
“Sophie, love! How lovely to see you!” came her delighted voice from the hall.
“Hello, Mum,” Sophie replied flatly.
Emma heard footsteps, then her sister appeared in the doorway. Sophie stood stiffly, lips pressed tight.
“Hello, Sophie,” Emma greeted her. “Sit downMum made cordial.”
“No, thank you,” Sophie said sharply, staying put.
Margaret gave her younger daughter a worried glance.
“Sophie, darling, whats wrong? You seem”
“Im fine,” Sophie cut in. “I need to speak with Emma. Alone.”
Emma blinked. Shed never heard such a tone from her sister.
“Mum, maybe give us a moment?” she asked.
Nodding, Margaret left the kitchen, shooting them both an uneasy look.
Sophie stepped closer but didnt sit.
“Right, then,” she began, voice icy. “Enough playing the saint.”
“What on earth do you mean?” Emma said, bewildered.
“Your little games. Did you think I wouldnt find out?”
Emma felt a chill down her spine. Fragments of memories surfaced, but nothing that made sense.
“Sophie, explain properly. Whats happened?”
“James. Ring any bells?” Sophies voice turned venomous.
Emma froze. JamesSophies husband. There *had* been an awkward situation months ago, but shed thought it buried.
“What exactly are you talking about?” she asked carefully.
“Stop pretending! I *know* about your little café meetings. How you comforted him when we were struggling. How you hugged him in the car park.”
Sophie pulled out her phone and showed Emma the photosher and James at a café, deep in conversation, then embracing.
“Sophie, its not what you”
“Oh, isnt it?” Sophie sneered. “Then what *is* it, Emma? Why was my sister sneaking around with my husband?”
Emma exhaled slowly. Shed dreaded this conversation, hoped it would never come.
“He came to me for advice,” she began. “He said you were arguing, that you wanted a divorce. He didnt know what to do.”
“And you *helped* him?” Sophies voice sharpened. “What a devoted sister-in-law!”
“He was desperate, Sophie! He said he loved you, didnt want to lose the family. I just tried to understand and”
“Understand?” Sophie finally sat, spine rigid. “Why you? Why not his mates? Or his mother?”
Emma realised the trap. Why *had* James come to *her*?
“I dont know. Maybe because Im your sisterId know your side.”
“Liar!” Sophie exploded. “He came to you because youve *always* been too eager to listen! Even when we were dating, you hovered about him like”
“Sophie, thats ridiculous! Theres nothing to hide. Yes, we met a few times. Yes, I hugged himhe was in tears. But nothing happened!”
“And then he suddenly changed his mind about the divorce,” Sophie ploughed on. “Started preaching about saving the family. I thought it was his own realisation. Turns out it was *your* doing!”
Emma stood and moved toward her sister.
“Sophie, I know youre upset. But I only wanted to help. I hated seeing you both miserable.”
“*Help*?” Sophie recoiled. “You decided *for me* whether my marriage was worth saving! You meddled where you werent wanted!”
“But you didnt divorce! Youre still togetherthings seem better!”
“You think still together means *happy*?” Sophies eyes welled with angry tears. “James quotes you like scriptureEmma says we should work through it, Emma says family comes first. Im suffocating in my own home!”
Emma sank back onto the chair. The scale of the disaster dawned on her.
“He parrots you at every row,” Sophie seethed. “Says *you* understand commitment, *you* know whats right. Im the villain in my own marriage!”
“Sophie, I never called you”
“What *did* you say, then? Enlighten me about your cosy little chats!”
Emma saw no way out. Every word would dig the hole deeper.
“I said you loved each other. That you had children, a life built together. That temporary struggles werent worth throwing it all away.”
“*Temporary struggles*?” Sophie shot to her feet. “He *cheated*, Emma! I found messages with his ex! Is that a temporary struggle to you?”
The ground seemed to drop beneath Emma. James had never mentioned infidelityonly arguments, misunderstandings.
“Sophie, I didnt know”
“Of course you didnt! But you *advised* him anyway! Now Im trapped with a man who betrayed me because my *wise sister* convinced him to save the family!”
Margaret appeared in the doorway.
“Girls, whats all this shouting? The neighbours will hear!”
“Not your business, Mum!” Sophie snapped.
“Sophie!” Margaret gasped. “How can you speak to me like that?”
Sophie turned, and Emma saw such pain in her eyes it made her chest ache.
“How *should* I speak?” Sophie asked. “Smile politely and pretend everythings fine? Like my *perfect family* taught me?”
“Sophie, Mums not part of this,” Emma cut in.
“Oh, but she is!” Sophies voice cracked. “Youve all *always* decided for me! Mum said I was too stubborn, that I should listen to reason. And you took up the chorus!”
Margaret looked between them, lost.
“I dont understand. Whats happened?”
“Whats *happened*,” Sophie said coldly, “is your eldest daughters been meeting my husband behind my back, advising him on *our* marriage.”
Margaret paled. “Emma, is this true?”
“Mum, its not”
“Its *exactly* that!” Sophie spat. “And now Im supposed to *thank* her? To live with a cheater because *family must be saved*?”
Emma reached for Sophie, but she stepped back.
“Lets talk calmly. Ill explain”
“I dont *want* your explanations,” Sophie said. “Just understand this: From today, youre nothing to me.”
Silence. Even Margaret was speechless.
“Sophie, dont be absurd,” their mother whispered. “Youre *sisters*.”
“*Were* sisters,” Sophie corrected. “Now I want nothing to do with her.”
She took out her phone, fingers stabbing the screen.
“What are you doing?” Emma asked.
“Removing you. From my contacts, socials, everything. I never want to see your name again.”
“Sophie, this is madness!” Emma cried. “Over *what*?”
Sophies eyes blazed.
“*Over what*? You invaded my life, made me stay with a man I *hate*, and you call *me* dramatic?”
“No one *made* you! You chose”
“Under *your* influence! James drones on dailyEmma says this, Emma says that. I felt *guilty* for wanting out!”
Margaret clutched the table.
“Girls, *please*. My heart cant take this.”
“Then dont listen
