Your friend was here again? Afterwards the fridge is always empty!
Thomas, was your little Emily here again? asked Alice, glancing at her husband as she peered into their half-empty fridge. Its always the same story, every time after her visit theres nothing left to eat.
Yes, she dropped in, replied Thomas, slightly weary. She was going on about not having any money again. I couldnt exactly let her go home empty-handed, she is my sister after all.
You didnt give Emily more money, did you?
Only a few hundred pounds, Thomas admitted sheepishly. Emily said Williams having troubles at work again, and they cant even cover the rent.
Who could have seen this coming I still dont see why she had to marry at twenty. Why didnt your mother stop her?
You know what Emilys like once shes made up her mind, theres no turning her. But dont worry, shell have to get used to adult life soon enough.
Alice let out a heavy sigh. Independence is all well and good, but so far, Emily had only managed by relying on the family.
* * *
William was only a lad himself, just starting to earn his keep. He didnt see the need to shower his wife with gifts, feeling all his efforts were quite enough. Emily didnt want to work; she believed it was Williams job to provide.
Their mother, Margaret, always took Emilys side. She saw her daughters struggle and constantly supported her with money. She pressed Thomas to help as well.
Shes still a young girl, she needs to look her best, Margaret would say. Emily hasnt found a job she likes, and Williams such a miser. Its our obligation to pitch in.
And Thomas did his best to help. But Alice grew tired of it all rather quickly. Why, she wondered, should a chunk of their hard-earned wages go to Emily, when she and Thomas lived in a rented flat and pinched every penny to save up for a place of their own only to have to subsidise the sister as well?
* * *
One evening, Alice came home to find her mother-in-law and Emily chatting with Thomas. They went silent the instant they saw Alice, an air of seriousness falling in the front room. Alice asked,
May I know what the family conference is about? I cant help but feel another request for money coming our way.
Youve got the wrong idea, Margaret laughed. Its family business that doesnt concern you.
Alice raised her eyebrows, unconvinced, and retreated to the kitchen to sort supper. Five minutes later, Emily wandered in, opened the fridge without ceremony, and huffed,
Whys it so empty? Alice, havent you been shopping?
I have, Alice replied, prickling with irritation. But my salarys not in for another two days. I only got the essentials. If youre hungry, I can warm up some soup.
No, I dont eat things like that. I never spend on plain food if anything, I order pizza, sushi, and love going for coffee with William.
Does Williams salary stretch to that? I thought you always said you had no money.
If I run low, I just ask Mum and Thomas. Thats what families do, isnt it?
Soon after, Margaret and Emily headed out. Alice immediately turned to Thomas for an explanation.
Mums planning to sell the holiday cottage and wanted to ask a favour. She wants to give all the money to Emily, since shes still young, and you need money for a good start in life.
What does that mean? Alice was astonished. Doesnt it bother you that its all for your sister? As your wife, I dont think its right, nor does it help Emily to always depend on handouts.
Alice, you shouldnt concern yourself, Thomas said sternly. The cottage belongs to Mum. She can do what she likes with it.
He cut the conversation short and left the room, sure he was right to support his sister, proud to be the generous brother.
* * *
Before long, the holiday cottage was indeed sold. Alice couldnt help but suspect Emily had no intention of putting the money to good use. Restaurants, designer handbags, the latest gadgets it all went on the high life.
Inevitably, when the money ran out, Emily was straight back to her mother:
Im out of money again! I want to learn to drive and buy a car! Is there nothing left to sell? Some parents buy their children homes or help with expenses Mum, why are we so poor?
Margaret was taken aback; even she hadnt expected Emily to burn through the money so quickly. Composing herself, she said,
Emily, thats all we had. I thought youd use it wisely or put some aside. Its time for you to get a job. You trained as a bookkeeper, didnt you? See if you can find a post in an office.
Ill not bury myself in paperwork! Staring at a screen all day, ruining my eyesight? My husbands supposed to provide, and so are you. Im only twenty! Did you bring me into this world just to have me fend for myself? Thanks for nothing!
Now then, Margaret tried to calm her, well find a way. What if we ask Thomas for help? Well say its for something important. Theyre saving for a house, there must be some money to spare.
Do you really think theyll give much? That Alice is so stingy, she even saves on groceries. Thankfully, Thomas will always help if pressed.
Well then, off we go! Margaret declared. No one can say no to their own mother.
An hour later, Emily and Margaret stood outside Thomas and Alices little flat. Alice could already tell they came not to bring goodwill, but more requests.
Thomas, weve a very important matter, Margaret announced the moment they were through the door. Only you can help us.
Alice stiffened. Here they go, asking for more, she thought. No other outcome seemed possible.
Whats happened?
Emily wants to buy a car, but of course, the holiday cottage moneys gone, Margaret admitted, a hint of embarrassment in her smile. And so we thought perhaps you could help.
Alice could barely believe her ears:
What? Already gone? You got a fair price for that place, wheres it all vanished? Emily, you should really learn to manage your spending!
Dont you dare tell me what to do! Emily snapped. Im a young woman with standards, not some mousy creature from a jumble sale! Yes, I want to dine out and go to salons and have good things. Im not spending my youth in poverty!
Ever considered working? Alice taunted. Saves you from scrounging off family all the time.
Worried about an argument erupting, Thomas tried to mediate.
Hang on, lets discuss calmly. We cant afford a car for you, but perhaps we can help a bit.
Good boy! Margaret beamed. Knew I could rely on you.
Do I not get a say? Alice protested. Sorry, but I refuse to finance Emily any longer. Shes married, let her husband support her. Shell get nothing from me, thats final!
Thomas shot a helpless look at his mother and tried to placate Alice.
Alice, honestly, its our money too, I have a right to make decisions. Mums only asking for a loan, shell pay it back.
Of course Ill repay it! Or do you think Id cheat you? After all, this is just a little help for Emily and youll get it back, every penny.
Alice did feel uneasy, as though she was accusing Margaret of dishonesty. But it would be even worse to wave farewell to their hard-won savings.
No, Im afraid we cant help, she said, less resolutely than before. Please understand, our house fund is more important than any car.
Lets go, Mum, Emily huffed. See? Do you see what theyre like? Only care for themselves, never for us.
Emily stormed out, making her outrage plain. Margaret quickly followed but couldnt resist a final grumble to her son:
Thomas, we will speak about this later. Honestly, is your wife the one running things now?
As soon as the front door clicked shut, Thomas rounded on Alice.
How could you? Whats Mum going to think that we dont care, or worse, that money means more to us than family?
Is this really an emergency? Alice countered. When did they ever help us? I can guarantee your family wouldnt give a farthing for our home fund. Im tired of always hearing about poor, pitiful Emily.
A few days later, a truce was reached between Alice and Thomas. But little did Alice know, Thomas was prepared to keep secrets. He took their savings, meant for their future home, and handed them over to his mother.
When Margaret met him and saw the envelope, she praised him straight away:
Well done, my boy! I knew Id raised you right! Dont fret. Help Emily now, and shell help you in turn. And not a word to Alice, mind you and she still have plenty of time to save again.
* * *
One day, Alice was idly browsing social media when she spotted fresh photographs of Emily: there she was in the driving seat of a small car, beaming from ear to ear. Alice was surprised and asked her husband,
Thomas, did you know Emily actually got a car? Did William find the money from somewhere? Your sister always seems to get what she wants.
Yes, I know about the car, Thomas replied, not meeting her eye. We all chipped in and managed to get her a present.
Chipped in? Did you use our savings? Why on earth didnt you tell me?
Thomas remained silent, and Alice rushed to the dresser where they kept their nest egg. To her horror, the money was gone.
What have you done? Alice shouted at her husband. Is this some kind of joke? You gave all our savings to your sister? I cant believe it! Thomas, how could you?
For once, her usually calm husband snapped back with fury:
Its not your concern! Im the head of this family, and I made the decision. We can keep saving for years, but Emily needs the car now. If youre so grudging towards my family, maybe I should question if I want a wife like this!
Oh, really? Well, perhaps I should reconsider my choice of husband, and in fact, I already have! Im going home to my mother make sure I get my half of the savings back!
Alice began throwing her belongings into a bag. She was overwhelmed with disappointment, secretly hoping Thomas would stop her, or apologise. But he just sat watching telly, as though nothing had happened.
Is that all? Thomas, I really mean it, Im leaving now, Alice called softly from the doorway.
Go on. If you wont change, dont bother coming back, Thomas replied, his voice cold as stone.
Alice moved in with her mother and filed for divorce within a month. Its hard sharing your life with someone who has no respect for you. Oh, and she didnt forget about the money either a threat of legal action was enough for Thomas to hand her share back. Afterwards, shed tell her friends the tale over tea, with a laugh: Imagine splitting up thanks to someone elses cheek!But Emily, once triumphant in her shiny new car, soon found that driving came with costs of its own: insurance, petrol, maintenance, parking tickets. With William still feckless, Margarets purse stretched thin, and Thomas now estranged from his own family, there was nowhere left to turn. Her friendsthose real ones, not just faces at brunchbegan to fade away as her luck ran out and invitations dwindled with her dwindling funds.
Alone in a chilly, rented flat, a half-eaten takeaway on the table, Emily scrolled through her phone and saw Alices posts: warm pictures with friends, a tiny new studio flat, cups of coffee and laughter seemingly bathed in golden sunlight. There was something honest in Alices smile, a kind of peace that stung Emily far more than any angry word ever had.
Meanwhile, Thomas found the flat echoing with silence more than even he could bear. It struck him in the hollow way his keys jangled in the empty hallway, in the absence of Alices slippers by the door, in the coldness that Margarets approval did nothing to soothe. He visited his mother and sister, but their chatter seemed shrill, aimless. Emilys requests, once easy to fulfill, grew sharp and demanding, like pebbles in his shoe. He began to wonder, late at night, what family meant without warmth, respect, or love.
As for Alice, she missed some thingsthe good days, the hope theyd once shared. But her new space invited possibilities. She tossed her shoes into the corner, put her half of the saved money toward lessons in things shed always wanted to try: baking, watercolours, travel. One evening over dinner with friends, she told the whole story again, laughter mingling with understanding, and realised shed made her own luck at last.
And sometimes, in the soft glow of her quiet, honest life, she felt almost grateful for Emily. For if it werent for someone elses endless taking, she might never have learned how to give herself permission to put her own happiness first.
