On Holiday with Brazen Relatives: Time to Lay It All Bare
Ive put up with this, Tomtwo whole weeks in this pathetic excuse for a hotel they keep banging on about. Why on earth did we say yes to this trip?
Because Mum asked us to. Tom, my brother, mocked our mothers wistful tone. Emily needs a break, her lifes been so terribly hard
Truth be told, my aunt Emilys life had been shrouded in misfortune, but pity came hard for Alice. Far too hard.
Emily, Mums sister, was forever the poor relation, the one who expected everyone to rally around her. Alice jammed her knee into the overstuffed suitcase, grimly wrestling with the zip that spat out the edge of a beach towel in defiance.
From the other side of the paper-thin partitionwhat the owners had the nerve to call a wallcame the shrieking cry of Jamie, Aunt Emilys six-year-old son.
Dont want porridge! Want chicken dippers! The boy howled as though he was being tortured.
Next came a heavy thunk, a crash of crockery, then Aunt Emilys jaded, smoke-roughened voice:
Oh, Jamie love, please, just a little spoon for Mummy
Maggie, would you pop down to the shop and get him his dippers? Look at him, the poor souls beside himself. My legs are killing me, I really cant.
Alice stiffened, knuckles whitening around the suitcase zip. Maggie. And Mum would go, too!
Tom, sprawled on the battered, spindly chair in our shoebox of a room, glowered into his phone, making no move to pack. His bag, still splayed open in the corner, hadnt been touched.
You hear that? Alice whispered, nodding toward the racket. Shes bossing Mum about again. Maggie, fetch this, bring that. And Mum will leap up like always
Dont get wound up, Tom mumbled, eyes fixed on his screen. Were home tomorrow.
Ive had it up to here, Tom! Two weeks, stuck in this dump.
Because Mum asked us. Emily needs a break, shes had a tough time. Tom mimicked their mums voice again.
Alice flopped onto the bed, the old springs groaning beneath her. She remembered Emilys fate truly had been grim, but try as she might, sympathy never came. Not ever.
Mums sister, Emily, was forever the familys poor dear, to whom everyone seemed to owe everything.
Her first child died as a babyan unspeakable family tragedy. Then came a husband who loved drinking more than her, and his liver finally gave out a couple of years ago.
Now Emily raised two children by different men in her grans cramped flat, plus yet another dream manher eighth flingsurfing the sofa.
Work didnt suit her, she proclaimed. Her role was to spread a bit of beauty and sorrow in the world, while those around her kept their own festival of hardship running.
Mostly, it fell to Alices mum, Maggie, who, according to Emily, has money falling out her ears.
Alice went to the window. The view was spectacular: bins and the grey wall of the neighbours old chicken coop.
This nightmare was Mums bright idea. Lets go away togetherEmily needs cheering up, time away
What it meant: Maggie paid for most of the trip, bought the food, cooked for the lot of them, while Emily and her latest best friendsome loud woman called Denise from by the poolsunbathed and swapped gossip.
Start packing, Alice told Tom. Were eating out tonight. The farewell supper.
***
They didnt pick the restaurant, of course.
Emily announced theyd be going somewhere expensive. The place was by the promenade, two tables shoved together to fit their tribe, as Alice thought of them.
Emily, poured into a sequinned dress splitting at the seams, reigned at the head alongside Denise, a broad, brassy woman with peroxide hair.
Waiter! Emily barely glanced at the menu, barking, Your best, please! Kebabs, saladsoh, and a decanter of that lovely red!
Maggie, Alices mum, perched at the edge, offering a nervous smile and looking ready to collapse. She hadnt had a minutes rest all fortnight: Jamies tantrums, Emilys melodrama, teenage Elizas boredom.
Mum, order the fish. You said you fancied it Alice urged quietly.
Its too pricey, love, Maggie dismissed her. Salads fine for me. Emilys had a rough year, let her have some comfort.
Alices anger flared. Rough year, sure! At that moment, Jamiethe small, self-styled tyrantbanged his spoon against his plate, eyes glued to a tablet.
Feed me! he demanded, mouth open, unmoved by anyone but himself.
Abandoning conversation with Denise, Emily scooped up mashed potato and shoved it into his mouth, cooing, My precious boyeat up, get your strength.
Hes six, Alice snapped. Doesnt he feed himself yet?
Silence thudded into place. Emily swivelled her head slowly.
Who asked you, darling niece? she seethed. Have some of your own before lecturing me. Jamies just sensitive, needs extra care!
He needs boundaries, not a screen at supper, Alice shot back. He screams blue murder whenever the world doesnt serve himwhat are you teaching him?
I cant believe you! Denise shrieked, throwing up her hands. Emily, look at her! Little Miss Psychologist.
The cheek! Never worked a real day in her life. Knows everything, apparently!
Mum, lets not Maggie tugged Alices sleeve, voice shaking. Dont ruin tonight. Please.
The evening crawled by. Emily and Denise bellowed about men, neighbours, and the dreadful fate of all women. Eliza stared at her phone, tossing dirty looks at the ancients. Jamies fits were answered with towering desserts.
When the bill landed, Emily let out a grand sigh.
Oh, left my purse upstairsMaggie, pay, will you? Ill sort you out at home, promise!
You never will, Alice thought, as her mum dug out her bank card without a whimper. The charade was well rehearsed.
***
After midnight, they trudged back to the guest house. Alice went straight to the shower, determined to wash the staleness of the evening away. The water flickered between icy needles and near scalding.
Drying off, she heard heated whispers from the kitchen. She froze mid-step, eavesdropping behind the partially open door.
Did you see that little madam? Denise was yapping. Sitting there, face pulled all wrong. He cant feed himself. As if! Shes just a snotty brat. Hed be herding cows if it wasnt for you, Maggie, not strutting through restaurants.
Stuck-up, empty girl. No boyfriend, no sense, just attitude, Denise spat.
Alices breath caught. Her heart hammered painfully in her ears. She waited for Mum to snap, to pound the table: Shut your mouth, Denise. Dont talk about my daughter that way. Or at least, to get up and leave.
But the only thing through the door was Emilys weary sigh.
Oh, youre not wrong, Denise. Shes heavy work, really, just like her fathers lotalways think theyre better. Not like my two. Eliza might be fiery, but shes kind. That Alice just looks at us like muck. I cant eat when shes around.
You spoiled her, Maggie, Denise chimed in. Should have given her a good hiding ages ago. Now shes a princess who cant respect her own mother. Id have thrown her out long since, see what disaster tastes like.
Alice pressed her forehead to the door frame. Mum said nothing. She sat in there, sharing teaor whatever it was, given the smelland let these women smear her daughters name.
Alice snapped suddenly upright. She crashed open the door so hard it banged the wall.
All three stared, frozen, over a clutter of half-eaten food and empty wrappers: Emily in her ripped sequins, Denise with a beetroot-red face, and her mum, who recoiled at once as if bracing for a blow.
So Im the empty girl, am I? Alices voice didnt waverit was ice and flint. And you, Aunt Emily, paragon of kindness?
Emily gawked, nearly hiccuping in shock; Denise lumbered up, looming across the table.
What are you, an eavesdropper now, you little wretch? Denise hissed. Spying, were you?
I didnt have to try. Youre so loud the whole place can hear! Alice stepped in, unflinching. Whats wrong, Aunt Emily, bit hard to swallow? Because when my mum was footing the bill tonight, you didnt choke.
You snotty little Weve only ever welcomed you, and look how you treat us! Im old enough to be your mother! Emily screamed, colouring. If you love your money so muchchoke on it!
Its not the money, its your cheek! Alice exploded. Youve spent a lifetime round Mums neck like an albatross! Its always one man, then the next, the kids, the mystery illnesses! Mum breaks her back working to buy your precious breaks, and you treat her like dirt! Your daughter is a lout who swears like a docker and treats you like a doormat, and you try lecturing me?
Your son is a hysterical manipulator, and you dont even know the meaning of no!
Emily stared, lost for words. Denises jaw worked dangerously. Maggie squeaked, springing upright.
Alice! Thats enough! Go to your room! Maggie sobbed, tears streaking down her face. Why did you have to wade in? Youve ruined everything! Were family. How could you be so cruel in front of people?
Alice gently slipped her mothers hands off her shoulders. Something snapped inside her; final, irreversible.
Im not ashamed, Mum, she said softly. You should be. For letting them treat us like dirt.
She turned on her heel and marched out. Tom followed silently.
They packed in brittle silence. On the other side of the wall, Emily wailed about her tragic lot while Denise chimed in, cursing the siblings. Eliza burst out complaining that the noise was keeping her awake.
We cant go right now, Tom said, zipping his bag. Coach doesnt leave till morning. Well have to wait at the station.
I dont care, Alice replied, shovelling her makeup into a plastic carrier. Rather a station bench than this pigsty. Not a moment longer.
What about Mum?
Alice stopped mid-fold, t-shirt in hand.
Mum made her choice. Shes still in that kitchen, comforting her sister.
***
Alice doesnt speak to her mother anymore. Nor does Tomtheir trust dashed for good.
Maggie called them a few times, saying shed forgive them if they apologised to Emily. But Alice and Tom both knew they wanted no part of such forgiveness.
Enough is enough.
If their mother wants to fawn over her demanding sister, so be it. Alice and Tom are doing just finelife is brighter and lighter without brazen relatives.
