“Where are you off to? Weve come to visit!”
“I cant stand your sister!” spat Emily, her face twisting in irritation. “She drives me mad!”
“Youre not the only one,” replied William, backing his wife.
“She sticks her nose into everything and acts like she knows best. You should see the smug look on her face when she thinks shes got one over on me,” Emily muttered through gritted teeth. “One minute its my upbringing, the next its my makeup being outdated…”
“Shes always been like that,” William shrugged. “Blame Mumshe spoiled her rotten.”
“Thank God we live miles away from your lot,” Emily sighed, rolling her eyes.
Williams mother, Patricia, and his sister, Charlotte, lived in London, while William and Emily had settled in a quiet village nearby.
Both women were widows, sharing a flat together, so every visit to his mother meant an unavoidable encounter with Charlotte. And Charlotte couldnt stand her sister-in-lawrows were inevitable.
At first, Emily bit her tongue. But seeing how Patricia began to follow Charlottes lead, she started firing back.
Every family visit ended in a scene. Eventually, the couple stopped going altogether.
Patricia noticed. Soon, her calls came, sharp and demanding.
“Why havent we seen you? Two weeks, William! Dont you think your mother and sister miss you?”
“Were busy. No time,” William replied flatly.
“Too busy for family?” Patricias voice dripped suspicion. “Or is your wife stopping you? Last time, she looked like shed swallowed a wasp.”
“I told youthings to sort,” William snapped, ending the call.
An hour later, the phone rang again.
“Charlotte and I are coming down.”
“Why?”
“To see an old friendand you, since you wont come to us.”
Williams stomach dropped. Avoiding them was one thing; having them turn up unannounced was another.
“We might not be in,” he lied.
“Oh? Where?” Patricia sneered. “Or is it just that you dont want to see us?”
“A birthday party,” he blurted.
“Fine. Go, then,” she scoffed. “Even if your own mother and sister arent worth your time.” The line went dead.
Guilt gnawed at himbut then he remembered how they treated Emily. He said nothing to her, not wanting to worry her needlessly.
Three hours later, the doorbell rang.
Emily opened itand froze. Patricia and Charlotte stood there, smirking.
William bolted to the hallway.
“Emily, arent you ready?” he said loudly, ignoring their visitors. “The party?”
“What party?” Emily blinked.
“The one tonight!” William forced a smile. “OhMum, Charlotte. What are you doing here?”
“You knew we were coming,” Patricia said coolly. “Are you going to leave us on the doorstep?”
“Cant. Were leaving. Emily, go change.” He grabbed her hand.
Emily caught his glanceand understood.
“Where exactly are you going?” Charlotte folded her arms. “Bit late for a party, isnt it?”
“Starts at eight,” William cut in. “Half an hour to get there.”
“Going like that?” Patricia eyed his casual clothes.
“Bloody hellforgot to change!” He dashed off.
Charlotte and Patricia exchanged a look. They werent buying it.
“Cant you cancel?” Patricia pressed when he returned.
“No. Dinners paid for. Come next week.” He knew shed refuse.
“Or we could wait here?” Charlottes gaze swept the room.
“No. Youve got plans, havent you?”
“Your place is better than some old friends,” Patricia sniffed. “Besides, she wasnt happy to see us.”
“Need a lift to the station?”
“No buses back tonight,” Charlotte said sweetly.
“Ill book you a hotel.”
Patricias face darkened. “So youd rather pay for a room than let us stay?”
“Its not safe leaving people in our home,” Emily said firmly.
“Fine.” Patricia stormed out, Charlotte hurling insults behind her.
From the window, William and Emily watched them leaveand exhaled.
The fake party excuse was over.
Patricia and Charlotte took a taxi back to London, vowing never to speak to them again.
Months later, William had a hospital appointment in the city. Hungry, he knocked on their door.
Charlotte answered. “Were going out,” she said coldly. “Cant have strangers in the flat.”
William swallowed hard. Theyd cut him off for good.
After that, the ties between them frayedthen snapped.
