“You two aren’t a match,” Lily told her sister. “He’s younger and suits me better. The wedding should be called off.”
Lucy lived in a spacious three-bedroom flat situated in a nice part of London. The apartment was a legacy from her grandmother. Apart from her younger cousin, Lucy didn’t have any close relatives, but the two never grew close.
For some reason, Lucy found herself alone at thirty-five, but at least she had a place to call her own. She knew she could rely on no one but herself, so she excelled in her studies, graduated from a top university, secured a high-paying job at a prominent firm, and everything seemed to be going well, except for one thing…
“You need to get married, Lucy,” Lily would say whenever she checked in on Lucy to see how she was faring.
At thirty, Lily had already had three kids and gone through two divorces. She lived with her sons in the suburbs on child support, struggling to find stability but things never seemed to work out.
“I need to, but there’s no one,” Lucy would reply. She preferred to focus on work and had little spare time. But fate surprised her one day with a new upstairs neighbor. They met when Lucy accidentally bumped his car in the parking lot… and sparks flew.
James was five years younger than Lucy, but the age difference didn’t bother the couple. Lucy, being traditional, didn’t want to live with a man before marriage, so two months into their relationship, James proposed.
Instead of a wedding gown, Lucy bought a white suit, and they decided on traveling instead of a lavish reception. Everything seemed to go smoothly… until Lily disrupted their plans. She called Lucy a week before the wedding.
“Sis, hi… Can we stay with you for a while? Renting a place is expensive, and we have no money. There’s no time to waste.”
“What happened?”
“I need an urgent and costly operation. I’ll explain everything,” she said quietly, building suspense.
“Well, if it’s serious… come over,” Lucy reluctantly agreed, unable to refuse. She understood how hard it was to have no one to turn to.
Lily arrived the next day with suitcases and her three kids, each one younger than the last. Lucy wasn’t fond of children; she could tolerate one, but three constantly whining toddlers…
“Let’s settle how long you’re staying,” Lucy said, taking an eyeliner from the youngest, who had started drawing on the wall.
“I don’t know… Are we a burden?” Lily pouted. “Sorry… we should’ve stayed in a hostel. We couldn’t afford a hotel. We’re broke… and then there are doctors, tests…”
“Sorry, it’s not a burden, of course. What’s wrong with you?” Lucy blushed, feeling guilty for being inhospitable. They were family, after all.
“Well… it’s complicated…” Lily waved her hand dismissively. “Eye problems.”
“What’s wrong with your eyes?” Lucy was used to seeing her sister in glasses but didn’t think it was serious.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s my problem. The important thing is I’ve found a well-reviewed doctor. How about you? How’s everything?”
“I’m getting married,” Lucy reported proudly.
“And you kept quiet?!”
“We decided not to celebrate.”
“How could you?! With your money, skimping on a wedding?!”
“Lily…”
“Sorry, I’m meddling again,” Lily bit her tongue. “So, who’s the groom? Will you introduce me?”
“Actually, he lives next door and wanted to come over for tea.”
“Great! Well, set the table, I’ll wash up. I’m filthy from the train ride.”
“Towel’s in the bathroom.”
“Alright. I won’t be long. Can you watch the kids?”
Lucy frowned. She had planned to bake a chocolate cake for James, not babysit three boys.
Lily left, and Lucy, seeing the kids quietly playing with toy cars, started preparing with flour and eggs…
The peace didn’t last. Any cake plans were scrapped. One spilled flour, another snatched the chocolate meant for the cake and smeared it everywhere, and the third quietly shredded leaves off her favorite ficus and dumped soil on the floor.
“Lily! Your kids…” Lucy started, heading to the bathroom to deliver the trio to their mum. But their mother didn’t hear her. Headphones in, eyes closed, she luxuriated in the bath rather than taking a quick shower and resuming parental duties.
“Lily!”
“Why are you shouting? What’s happened?”
“Well… you’ve been in there for over an hour. I need to get ready for company, but I’m covered in chocolate and flour. The kitchen is a mess! I don’t know where to start!”
“I can’t help it if you can’t manage kids,” Lily shrugged. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Lucy had to answer it in a flour-dusted apron.
“Hi…” James surveyed her appearance. “What happened to you?”
“My sister arrived. Bad timing.”
“I see. Should I leave?”
“No, you shouldn’t. We’re practically family,” Lucy smiled, taking the cake from him. Thankfully, he hadn’t come empty-handed.
“If I’m not in the way, then okay.”
James was a great guy. He helped Lucy tidy up the kitchen and even connected with Lily’s kids.
Meanwhile, Lily lingered in the bath…
“Where’s your sister?”
“Escaping from the kids,” Lucy joked. At that moment, Lily entered the kitchen, wearing just a towel.
“Hello… James,” she strutted, striking a dramatic pose. Lucy was taken aback by her sister’s conduct. Why come to the kitchen nearly nude?
“Good evening,” he smiled back.
“My favorite cake!” Boldly, she wiped a bit of cream with her finger and licked it off, leaving Lucy stupefied.
“Lily, we’re about to have tea. Join us if you’d like. But not in a towel.”
“Want me to take it off?” she grinned, dismissing Lucy’s comment.
James was just as surprised, but he pretended not to notice Lily’s antics. Lucy mistook his silence for interest and felt hurt.
They drank tea in silence. Lily acted odd, and Lucy kept an eye on the boys to prevent further chaos.
“Thanks, I should go,” James said as tension mounted.
“Don’t leave, there’s room for everyone,” Lily offered.
“James and I aren’t like that,” Lucy said firmly.
“Ha! What nonsense! That’s outdated thinking. Don’t worry, I can teach you to handle men. Your wedding is soon, and you don’t know anything.”
“Goodbye, nice to meet you,” James paled.
“Great meeting you too! See you again,” Lily called after him.
Lucy didn’t speak to her all evening.
“Look, you and he aren’t a fit,” Lily asserted the next day.
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s young, and you’re… not so young.”
“The gap’s not that big.”
“But it shows.”
“So, what are you implying?”
“Well… he suits me more.”
“Really?”
“And he got along with the boys right away. He was looking at me like… I bet he meant to stay here!”
“Not with us, with me!” Lucy snapped, irritation visible.
“Fine, fine! I’m just kidding. Testing you.”
“What about your surgery?” Lucy changed the subject.
“It’s scheduled for tomorrow. I’m off to see the doctor for a check-up. Can you watch the kids?”
“I have work.”
“But you’re the boss!”
“So?”
“You’re your own master. Take the day off.” Lily looked at Lucy as if the problem was invisible to her. “Besides, I’ll need a few days post-surgery to rest. You’ll have to cover everything for them.”
What Lucy retorted genuinely surprised Lily.
