We still talk about the day when my sister, Emily, turned up at our parents house with a hefty suitcase in hand, as if she were about to move in permanently. Mum, may I come in? I need to speak with you, she said, standing in the doorway of the old terraced flat on Church Street, the smell of fried potatoes and minced meat still hanging in the air.
My mother, Margaret, stepped aside, wiping her hands on a teatowel. Come in, love, but take your shoes off gently; Ive just mopped the floor, she replied, glancing at the newspaper spread on the kitchen table. Your brothers back from his route later, and I always have his favourite dish ready.
Emily drifted into the sittingroom, letting out a sigh before collapsing onto the sofa. Her dress was loose, and the swell of her belly was now unmistakable.
Your legs are swelling again? our father, Thomas, asked, setting his paper down. Perhaps you should see a doctor?
Its fine, Dad. First time, maybe? Emily adjusted the cushion behind her. Listen, theres something I wanted to discuss I have an idea about the flat.
What flat? Margaret asked, bringing over a steaming mug of tea.
The yours, Emily sipped, eyes flicking to the tiny kitchen. You and Edward have enough space between the two rooms, dont you? He sleeps in one, you in the other. If you sold the twobedroom and bought a onebedroom, youd have a spare room for us.
Would you give us the difference? a sarcastic voice called from the hallway. Edward, still in his company jacket with the fleet logo, leaned against the doorframe. I see youre not wasting any time, sister.
Edward, are you back yet? Margaret nudged. Ill heat up some tea
Later, he waved off, eyes never leaving Emily. First, lets hear what you have in mind.
Emilys face tightened. Edward, why are you jumping in already? Im just saying a onebedroom could work for you both
Who would benefit? Edward stalked into the room, thudding a heavy sack onto the floor. Me and Mum in a onebedroom? Or you with our money?
Dont shout, son, Thomas tried to calm him. Lets discuss this calmly.
Whats there to discuss? Edward paced, his voice rising. Five years ago we sold the old cottage, handed it over. Now you want to sell the flat too? You bought a flat for the eldest daughter and expect us to move in?
Im actually about to have my third child! Emily raised her voice. We need more space; the twobedroom is cramped!
What am I to do? Edward snapped, turning sharply to his sister. Im thirtytwo and still have no place of my own because all the family money went to your threebedroom!
Emily huffed, Exactly. At least Ive achieved something. My husband, David, runs a decent shop, we have children, a home
Decent shop? Edward laughed. The one that keeps closing down? The whole town knows your David is neckdeep in debt.
Emilys face went pale. What are you on about?
Its a joke, sister. Im a longhaul driver, roaming the counties. Do you know how many rumours circulate? Two shops in the next town have already shut, three here are barely hanging on. Suppliers wont give us stock because we havent paid for the old deliveries. Thats why youre digging into Mum and Dads savings, isnt it?
A heavy silence fell. Margarets eyes darted between her children, fear in their depths.
Emily, tell us that isnt true, Thomas urged. It cant be.
Emily crumbled on the sofa. I didnt want to tell you David really is in trouble. Serious trouble. The shops arent making any profit; weve had to close two. Suppliers are demanding the money back. If we dont find cash fast
So you plan to leave Mum and Dad homeless? Edward shook his head. To cram us all into a onebedroom while you hide your husbands debts?
What can I do? Emilys voice broke, tears welling. I have two little ones, a third on the way! We could lose everything!
Then sort your own problems! Edward roared. Stop leeching off Mum and Dad! Theyve given you everything the cottage, the savings and now you want the last of it?
Youre just jealous! Emily sprang up, almost dropping her tea. Jealous that I managed to marry a respectable man, unlike you What are you, a lorry driver?
Yes, Im a driver, Edward shrugged. And now you want to swindle Mum and Dad. Why not take them in? Since theyve given you everything the cottage, the money let them live with you instead!
What? Emily recoiled. No! I have my own family, tiny children
So you can take from them, but you wont help? Edward sneered. All you know is to cling on.
You dont understand! Emily clutched her bag, hands trembling. David could lose it all!
So were to be roofless? Edward stepped closer. Leave now. Stop milking Mum and Dad. Fix your own mess.
Emily slammed the door, rattling the glass in the sideboard. Margaret sank into a chair, covering her face.
Why are you being so hard on her? Shes pregnant
How about her? Edward sat opposite, rubbing his weary neck. You see, she doesnt care about you. Its all about the money.
But her situation is genuine
Isnt ours? he gestured around the faded flat, the peeling wallpaper, cracked window frames. Dad, your pension is a year away. Mum, your blood pressure spikes. And she wants you both to move into a onebedroom in a new estate far from the clinic
Maybe shell think it over, Thomas whispered.
Emily didnt. A week passed without word. Margaret tried calling; Emily let the phone ring to voicemail. Then, unexpectedly, David appeared at the door, looking gaunt in a rumpled suit, eyes hollow.
I may come in? he rasped. I need to speak.
Margaret led him to the kitchen in silence. Edward rose to leave, but Thomas stopped him.
Sit, son. Listen. This concerns the whole family.
David stared at the cooling tea, then spoke. Im here to apologise for myself and for Emily. We shouldnt have dragged you into this.
What happened? Margaret asked softly.
Everything, David admitted with a weak grin. The business collapsed. Yesterday we shut the last shop. Creditors came, seized the stock, the equipment, the lorry. I kept borrowing, borrowing Emily trusted me, thought selling the flat would fix it. I was wrong.
Did you think about Mum and Dad? Asking for the last of a pensioners savings? Edward snapped.
Youre right, David lifted his gaze. I got greedy, pretended I was a big businessman, piled up debts. When it all fell apart, I was left with nothing. Its shameful to look you in the eye now.
Hows Emily? Margarets voice trembled.
Shes crying all the time, saying she doesnt know how to go on. Shes proud, you know, and now she cant face you after what she said.
Are you managing at all? The children are still small
Were trying, David said. Ive taken a job as a freight handler for a wholesale firm. Emily will work as a shopping centre administrator once shes out of the maternity ward. Well live like everyone else. Just please forgive us for pulling you into this mess.
When David left, a thick silence lingered. Edward stared out at the grey autumn yard, thoughts of his sister turning from a lively girl into a pretentious, wealthy wife swirling in his mind.
Son, Thomas said suddenly, you did right not to let us sell the flat. Weve always pampered Emily, always forgiven her. And she
A month later Emily reappeared at the doorstep, thinner, her belly still prominent, dressed plainly, without jewellery or makeup. She collapsed onto the hallway chair and sobbed.
Forgive me, she choked. Youve done so much for me, and I
Margaret rushed to her. Its all right, love. Youll pull through.
Edward looked at his sister, hardly recognizing the onceproud girl now sitting in worn shoes, unmade up, tears staining her cheeks.
Alright, he finally said. Lets move on. Youll live like the rest of us, without the airs.
Thank you, Emily whispered, eyes still red. For not letting the flat go. You were right we should fend for ourselves.
That evening they all lingered at the kitchen table. Emily recounted how everything crumbled: one shop closed, then another, David scouring the county for cash, sleepless nights worrying about the future.
I thought we were better than everyone else, she said to Edward. That having money made us special. Now Im just a freight drivers wife, about to start at a shopping centre, like any ordinary folk.
Good for you, Edward nodded. Theres nothing frightening about that. I drive the roads too, and Im not complaining.
A year passed. Emily gave birth to a third child, a boy. David continued as a freight handler, disappearing for days but always returning with groceries. Emily found remote copywriting work, quickly earning a bonus in her first quarter.
One evening Edward dropped by after a long haul. Emily was bustling in the kitchen.
Come in, brother, Ill pour you some soup, she offered.
Just a minute, he replied, pulling a bag of sweets and toys from his satchel. The older children squealed and raced to him. Emily laughed.
You always spoil them, Edward teased.
Whats wrong with spoiling them? she retorted, tossing a biscuit to a toddler. Theyre good lads.
Later, when the children retreated to their rooms, Emily poured Edward a cup of tea.
Tell me, Ive been meaning to ask you know that transport firm, Transoil? Theyre offering David a higherpay position.
A solid company, Edward said. I work with them often. They pay on time.
Ive been trying to convince him, Emily said. Hes scared of change after his own business failed.
After his own business? Edward chuckled. Of course hes wary. But the pays decent.
Emily fell silent, then said, I walked past our old shops the other day. Theyre now a pharmacy chain. It feels strange, like its a different life altogether.
Its right, Edward sipped his tea. Youre living normally now. Work, children growing.
The next day Edward visited his parents. Thomas read the paper, Margaret tended to seedlings on the windowsill.
Ed, have a seat, Thomas said, setting aside his newspaper. Margaret and I have discussed something
Cut to the chase, Dad.
Weve decided to give you some money for a deposit on a mortgage. Weve saved a bit.
What? Youre giving me money? Edward stood, startled. From where?
Dont argue with your father, Margaret interjected. We see how much youre saving. With your pension coming soon
No, thank you, Edward shook his head. Ill manage on my own. Keep the money.
We know how you manage, Thomas growled. You take extra routes, work yourself to the bone. Take it, dont argue. Youve always been our rock.
Edward hesitated, then thought of the endless rent payments. He accepted.
Two weeks later he found a modest onebedroom flat, not in the city centre but close to his depot. His parents helped with the downpayment; the rest he mortgaged.
Now you have your own corner, Margaret said, lifting boxes into the new place. No more hopping from flat to flat.
Its fine, Mum. Ive got it sorted, Edward replied.
Emily arrived to help, hauling curtains and pots.
Its from us, a housewarming gift, she said.
Ive got everything, Edward laughed. Thanks, but its alright.
Take it all, she insisted, arranging dishes in the cupboards. You know, I realise you were right to shout at me. I got arrogant, kept demanding
Weve moved on, Edward waved it off. The important thing is you understand.
That evening, after everyone had left, Edward sat in his new kitchen, the kettle whistling, the citys night noises drifting through the thin walls. He smiled to himself he had finally bought a flat, patched things up with his sister, and his parents still lived comfortably in their twobedroom terraced house.
On weekends he still drove by to drop groceries, help with chores. Margaret would always push a tin of cottage pie his way.
Take it, love. I know you dont cook much yourself, shed say.
Yes, I manage, hed reply, loading the pie into his boot.
What more could a man ask for? The children were close, his sisters life steadied, and the family, after all those quarrels, was slowly finding its peace.
