Alls Fair in Love and Family
The entire family had descended on the house. Ostensibly, it was meant to be a pleasant family dinner, but everyone knew the real draw was a financial one. Linda, daughter of Granny Mabel and mother to Katie and Tom, was fiddling with old handkerchiefs that Granny Mabel used as impromptu money purses. Granny, ever forgetful these days, no longer had much use for her own pension, rarely even recognising her own reflection, but Linda dutifully tucked her mothers pension into the same cloths, week after week.
Oh, not again! Linda wailed, waving a handkerchief at the assembled relatives. Its gone. Another hundred quid, at least! Im not imagining it I counted it myself! Where does it keep vanishing to? Mum, do you recall how much was in here?
Granny Mabel turned, but not to her daughtershe gazed serenely at Granddads photograph on the mantle.
Oh, Peter… isnt it lovely, she cooed, then eyed her granddaughter Jenny. And you, deardont you dare touch my sweets. Theyre for visitors. And wheres Tom? Still at school?
Linda rolled up a few crisp notes. The truth was, her mother could barely remember the days of the week, never mind her own pension. But Linda was convinced someonea traitor within the clanwas pilfering Grannys cash. A mad idea, really. Only family ever came round. And whod stoop so low as to rob an old lady?
Right on cue, Tom arrived, car keys jangling.
Whats with the faces? You all look like someones died! he said, with the self-assurance known only to sons.
Linda sniffled. Tom, darling, its dreadful! More of Grannys money’s gone missing. Ive been tucking her pension into the cupboard every month, and someones stealing it!
Tom gave them all a hard look. His mother believed in everyone; Tom trusted no onenot even himself sometimes.
Disappearing money? Tom squinted. Oh, Ive got a fair idea whats happened.
He stomped to the hall and returned with Katies stripey shopping bag. Before anyone could intervene, he unzipped it and, despite Lindas protestations, upended its contents onto the ancient oilcloth table cover.
Out tumbled lipstick, keys, a tiny cracked mirrorand a veritable blizzard of five-pound notes. At least a hundredif not more.
Aha! Tom cried, waving a note in the air. When I got in, I knocked her bag over and, what do you know, a flutter of notes on the floor! Dont those look familiar?
Aunt Gail, in the midst of chewing on a lettuce leaf, suddenly swallowed wrong and spent the next thirty seconds choking vigorously.
Look closely and, sure enough, each note bore a thin blue linecourtesy of cousin Ivans biro from last month, when hed doodled on them as Linda was counting out Grannys pension.
All eyes snapped to Katie.
Shed been sitting still as a waxwork, but now she twitched.
Tom, what are you playing at?
Me? Tom spread his hands. Did nothing! Bag falls; notes fall out. And what do I see? Old friends! Mums five-pound notes!
Katie realised now was not the moment for righteous indignation. It was time to defend herself.
It wasnt me! she yelped, jostling the table and nearly upending a tea mug.
Even Granny Mabel perked up. Whats that racket? Where are my slippers?
Everyone stared, eyes like saucers.
Katiesweethearthow could you? Linda whispered, rising in disbelief. You have your own job. I help when you need it. How could you rob your gran?
Mother, I didnt! I swear I never touched it!
Well, who then? Toms voice was sharp enough to slice cheese. Youre always about, taking care of her. No one else is. Mum wouldnt dream of it, you know that. So its only got to be you.
Katie started retreating, as if preparing to bolt for it.
I swear, I never touched a penny! She looked at her mother, pleading for a shred of maternal belief. Linda stared back, as if seeing her daughter for the first timean utter stranger.
Youre lying, Linda whispered. How could you?
I love Granny! Katie burst into tears. I only ever wanted to help her! Id never steal from her!
But logic has no patience for sentiment. The notes had fallen from her bag. No alternative suspect stood in the spotlight.
Done. Thats settled, Tom concluded, somehow both smug and triumphant. Its sad, Katie. Couldve just asked. Wed all have helped. But this… stealing from poor, helpless Granny? No one expects that from their own.
Katie was shown the door that night. Her life, previously unremarkable, now went fully pear-shaped. No one wanted to hear her side, not even her own mother, who softened later but not enough. She pleaded for understanding as relatives, led by Aunt Gail, insisted she not be invited back.
Dont bother with her, Linda, hissed Gail on the phone, as Linda tried to argue. Can you imagine the shame? Granny may not remember a thing, but what if she did? Howd you explain what Katies become?
Linda obliged. Shed barely speak to Katie, and when she answered calls, it was only to mumble busy, later, cant talk now.
Desperate, Katie tried phoning everyone from obscure numbers, but they hung up as soon as they realised it was her. She even launched her own investigationwhich went nowhere fast, thanks to an ironclad wall of cold shoulders. She couldnt even get through the front door to Grannys flat.
Only her mother relented, agreeing to one miserable meet-up.
Mum, please, Katie begged, voice wavering. It sounds like an excuse, but I swearI didnt do it. Why wont you believe me?
It pained Linda more than she let onit was still her daughter, after all.
Katie it hurts me too. But the money was in your bag. Please, lets not drag this out. If it was just me who saw, maybe But the family will never forgive you. Nor will I, actually. After everything Granny did for you
But Mum, what if it dropped out before? What if it came from someone elses bag? Anyone else could have
Oh, enough! Linda cut in, all patience spent. Youre my daughter, I want to believe you, but the facts! The facts say youre a thief!
With that, Linda walked off, leaving Katie sitting alone on a cold bench, forbidden to even say goodbye to Granny.
Eventually, Katie waited for family tempers to cool and made her way to Grannys flat, hoping to catch her mother. Sometimes Linda relented and chatted, if she was in a good mood. Maybe tonight?
But who answered the door? Tom.
Tall as a streetlamp, Tom looked down at her, almost smiling.
Tom, please. Just talk to me. One last time.
Oh, Katie. Still desperate to clear your precious reputation? Lost cause, sisjust fess up, maybe someone will take pity.
But Katie had never been one to confess to things she didnt do.
No, Tom. I want the truth. Maybe you got mixed up. Maybe the money fell from someone elses bag, or a pocket?
Suddenly Toms eyes went cold.
Got mixed up? Thats sweet, Katie. Listenof course you didnt steal it. I put it in your bag myself.
Her mouth fell open.
Sorrywhat?
Thats right.
Why on earth would you do that?
He grinned. Knocked out the competition.
Inheritance is a brutal business, sis. You saw how Granny was fading, only had months left, tops. This flat already signed over to Mum to prevent solicitor nonsense. Problem was: Mum is sentimental. Wanted to give you the flat.
Katies jaw dropped.
But why?
Toms voice dripped with false fondness. Because, darling Katie, you visited every night. Cleaned the house, read those daft books to Grannyeven made her tea. Mum noticedshe was going to give you the place. Well, why not me? Am I not her grandson too? So, I upped my game.
I never did that for the flat! Katie yelled. I did it for GrannyI loved her!
He snorted. Oh, cut the act, Katie. Everyone wants something. You played the caring granddaughter. I just played better. Scores even.
Katie was too stunned for words, so he finished for her.
And now,” he said, relishing his moment, “youre the thief. Mum will never stop loving her golden son. Youre the lost cause. The flats mine now, and you cant so much as step inside without causing a scene.
You absolute Katie started, stomping the step.
Say what you like. This is how things go. Cheers, sis. Inheritance accepted.
He swung the door open.
Katie didnt move for a moment. She could definitely have used a flatrent in this town is extortionate, and buying? Dont make her laugh. But shed genuinely loved Granny. She remembered how, even in her confusion, Granny once stroked her cheek and murmured, Thank you for visiting, love. Youre just like my Peter.
If she wanted her name cleared, shed need to prove Tom was a git and a liar. But how?
There simply wasnt a way.
She walked away, letting the door click shut behind her. In twelve months, no one would remember that shed ever been decent. Theyd only remember the scandal: Katie, the granddaughter who stole from a dying granny.
Tom had won, and oh, how he celebrated.
