The doorbells relentless buzz jerked Eleanor awake. She frowned at her phones screenher cousin, Rebecca, whom she hadnt spoken to in over two years, was calling.
“Youre asleep? Lucky you. Ive been sobbing all night,” Rebecca sniffled.
“Of course Im asleepits half one in the morning,” Eleanor muttered, squinting at her alarm clock.
“If youre sleeping so soundly, you must not have heard,” Rebecca said cryptically.
“Just get to the point, Rebecca,” Eleanor sighed. “Ive an early start tomorrow.”
“Youll sleep when youre dead. Theres been a tragedy in the family!” Rebecca snapped, as if Eleanor were to blame.
“What kind of tragedy?” Eleanors stomach twistedhad something happened to her mother?
“Uncle Geoffrey passed this morning,” Rebecca sobbed. “Completely unexpected. Aunt Margarets beside herself. Theres no moneywere pooling funds to help. My brother and I are driving to the village tomorrow. Youll join us?”
“No, I cant. Ill come for the wake.”
“Well, transfer me the money then. Well give it to Aunt Margaret tomorrow. Five hundred pounds.”
Eleanor sent the sum straightaway and drifted back to sleep. She wasnt particularly heartbrokenshed long since drifted apart from her fathers side of the family. After his death, theyd cut ties, insisting she and her mother were no longer kin. Still, she felt obliged to help.
After the transfer, nobody called. Rebecca vanished. Repeated attempts to reach her went unanswered. Eventually, Eleanor pieced together the wakes details through mutual friends and went to pay her respects.
Aunt Margaret greeted her with a sour face, as if Eleanors presence were more burdensome than the loss itself.
“You came? Who invited you? You mightve just sent the money,” she scoffed.
“I transferred five hundred pounds,” Eleanor said.
“Funny. I never saw a penny.”
“I gave it to Rebecca”
“Oh, now youre spinning tales,” Aunt Margaret folded her arms. “She and William only brought eight hundred. Four hundred each. Nothing from you.”
Eleanor scanned the room for Rebeccaconveniently missinguntil she spotted her outside by the gate.
“Rebecca, did you not give Aunt Margaret my money? Where is it?” Eleanor demanded.
“I did,” Rebecca muttered.
“She claims it was just from you and William”
“Well, shes mistaken,” Rebecca shrugged.
“You handed over eight hundred?”
“Yes.”
“That was meant for two, not three!”
“And whos paying for petrol, then?” Rebecca rolled her eyes.
“Five hundred quid for a two-hour drive? Why should I fund your trip?”
“You want it back, is that it?” Rebecca sneered.
“Yes, I do!”
“Not now. Ill transfer it later.” Rebecca turned on her heel and stalked off.
Disgusted, Eleanor called a cab and left. A week later, her mother called in tears.
“Love, is it true you took back the money for Geoffreys funeral?” she whispered.
“I gave money. I took nothing.”
“Aunt Margarets telling the whole village you did. Shes furious you didnt stay longer. I cant even show my faceeveryones staring.”
“Mum, thats not what happened!” Eleanor seethed, explaining the truth.
“Rebecca kept your money and blamed you for demanding it back! That girls shameless. I hope that money chokes her.”
Eleanor considered confronting Rebecca but chose peace instead. Months later, Rebecca resurfaced.
“Were putting up a headstone for Uncle Geoffrey. Your shares eight hundred.”
“Not a penny more.”
“What kind of family loyalty is that?” Rebecca huffed.
“The kind you taught meafter you swindled me and spread lies. You said Mum and I werent family. So were not.” She blocked Rebeccas number, realising some bridges arent worth rebuilding.
*Sometimes, cutting ties isnt lossits peace finally won.*
