“Who invited you, honestly? Youd have been better off helping with the money,” Aunt Margaret said coldly.
Eliza frowned as the relentless ringing of her phone jarred her awake. She squinted at the screenher cousin, whom she hadnt spoken to in over two years, was calling.
“Are you asleep? How lucky. I havent stopped crying”
“Yes, of course Im asleepits half one in the morning,” Eliza muttered, glancing at the clock.
“If youre sleeping so soundly, you must not know yet,” her cousin said cryptically.
“Sophie, get to the point,” Eliza sighed. “Ive got an early start.”
“You can sleep later. Theres been a tragedy in the family!” Sophie snapped, as if Eliza were somehow to blame.
“What kind of tragedy?” Eliza asked, dread knotting in her stomach.
“Uncle Edward passed this morning,” Sophie sobbed. “Unexpectedly. Aunt Margarets beside herself. Theres no money. Were all chipping in to help. My brother and I are going to the village tomorrow. Are you coming?”
“No, I cant. Ill just attend the wake.”
“Then wire me the money, and well give it to Aunt Margaret tomorrow,” Sophie pressed. “Five hundred pounds.”
Eliza transferred the sum at once and drifted back to sleep, unmoved by the news. She hadnt spoken to her fathers family in yearsnot since theyd cut ties after his death, claiming she and her mother were no longer kin. Still, she felt it rude to stay out of it entirely.
After the transfer, no one called. Sophie forgot her completely. Eliza tried reaching her several times to confirm the wakes date, but her cousin never answered.
Through mutual friends, she finally learned the details and went to pay her last respects. Aunt Margaret greeted her with a sour expression, as if Elizas presence offended her more than her husbands passing.
“Youve come Who invited you? Youd have done better just sending money,” she sniffed.
“I sent five hundred pounds,” Eliza said.
“Funny, I never saw a penny of it,” Aunt Margaret scoffed.
“I gave it to Sophie”
“Telling tales now, are you?” she folded her arms. “She and Andrew only brought me three hundreda hundred fifty each. You werent mentioned.”
“I dont understand,” Eliza scanned the room for Sophie.
Conveniently, she was nowhere in sight. Eliza finally found her outside by the gate.
“Sophie, you didnt give Aunt Margaret my money? Where is it?” she demanded.
“I did,” Sophie muttered.
“She said it only came from you and Andrew”
“Shes mistaken,” Sophie shrugged.
“You gave her three hundred?”
“Yes.”
“That was supposed to cover both of us, not three!”
“Well, whos paying for petrol then?” Sophie rolled her eyes.
“Five hundred pounds for a two-hour drive? And why should I pay your way at all?”
“You want it back, is that it?” Sophie sneered.
“Yes, I do!”
“Not now. Ill transfer it later,” Sophie turned on her heel and strode off, chin high.
Disgusted by her aunts disdain and Sophies deceit, Eliza regretted ever helping. She quietly called a cab and left.
A week later, her mother called in tears.
“Darling, is it true you gave money for Edwards funeral and then took it back?” she wept.
“I gave moneyI never took anything!”
“Aunt Margarets telling the whole village you did. Shes offended you werent properly grateful,” her mother said shakily. “I cant show my face there, the way people stare.”
“Mum, thats not what happened!” Eliza was furious. She explained the truth.
“Sophie never returned the money,” she finished.
“She took it from Aunt Margaret and claimed you demanded it back! The nerve! I hope they choke on it!” her mother cried.
Eliza almost called Sophie then but chose peace instead. She never spoke to her again.
Months later, Sophie reappeared.
“Were putting up a headstone for Uncle Edward. Thatll be a thousand pounds,” she announced briskly.
“No. I wont give you a penny.”
“Some family spirit,” Sophie scoffed. “Im honestly shocked.”
“So was I when I found out Id been swindled and slandered.”
“What are you on about?”
“You kept Aunt Margarets money and liedand you think Id deal with you again? Since you made it clear Mum and I arent family, I owe you nothing!” Eliza blocked her number without another word.
