The doorbells sharp ring jolted Emily awake. Groggy, she squinted at her phone screenher cousin Lydia, whom she hadnt spoken to in over two years, was calling.
*”Asleep? Lucky you. I havent stopped crying all night,”* Lydias voice crackled through the line.
*”Of course Im asleepits half past one in the morning!”* Emily snapped, glancing at her bedside clock.
*”If youre sleeping so soundly, you clearly havent heard,”* Lydia retorted, her tone dripping with drama.
*”Just get to the point, Lydia,”* Emily sighed. *”I have an early start.”*
*”Sleep can wait. Theres been a tragedy in the family!”* Lydia accused, as though Emily were somehow to blame.
*”What kind of tragedy?”* Emilys chest tightened, bracing for news about her mother.
*”Uncle Henry died this morning,”* Lydia sobbed. *”Completely unexpected. Aunt Margarets devastated. Theres no moneywe need to pitch in. My brother and I are going to the village tomorrow. Are you coming?”*
*”No, I cant. Ill just be there for the wake.”*
*”Then transfer the money. Well give it to Aunt Margaret tomorrow,”* Lydia pressed. *”Seven hundred quid.”*
Emily sent the sum immediately through her phone before drifting back to sleep.
She wasnt heartbrokenshed long since cut ties with her fathers side of the family. After his death, theyd coldly declared her and her mother outsiders. Still, it wouldve been rude not to contribute.
But after the transfer, silence. No call, no update. Lydia vanished.
Emily chased her for days, desperate to know when the wake would be, but Lydia ignored her. Finally, through mutual friends, she got the details and arrived to pay her respects.
Aunt Margaret greeted her with a scowl, as if Emilys presence was more offensive than the death itself.
*”You came? Who invited you? Honestly, you shouldve just sent the money,”* she sneered.
*”I didseven hundred pounds,”* Emily said firmly.
*”Funny. I never saw a penny,”* Aunt Margaret scoffed.
*”I gave it to Lydia”*
*”Oh, dont spin tales,”* Margaret folded her arms. *”Lydia and James only brought a thousandfive hundred each. Nothing from you.”*
Confused, Emily scanned the room for Lydiabut shed slipped away. Outside, by the gate, Emily cornered her.
*”Did you keep my money for yourself? Where is It?”*
*”I gave it to her,”* Lydia muttered, avoiding her gaze.
*”She said it was only from you and your brother!”*
*”Shes mistaken.”*
*”You handed her a thousand?”*
*”Yes.”*
*”That was meant for two of us, not three!”*
*”Well, who was going to pay for petrol?!”* Lydia snapped, defiant.
*”Seven hundred quid for a two-hour drive? And why should I fund your trip?”* Emilys hands clenched.
*”Want it back, then?”* Lydia smirked.
*”Yes!”*
*”Not now. Ill transfer it later,”* she tossed over her shoulder before strutting off, head held high.
Disgusted, Emily left in a taxi, vowing never to return. But a week later, her mother called in tears.
*”Emily, is it true? You gave money for Henrys funeralthen took it back?”*
*”I gave it. I didnt take a penny.”*
*”Aunt Margarets telling everyone you did. Shes furious you werent welcomed warmly,”* her mother whispered, ashamed. *”I cant even walk through the village without stares.”*
*”Mum, thats not what happened!”* Emily seethed. She explained the truthhow Lydia had pocketed the cash and lied.
*”That girls a liar! I hope that money chokes them!”* her mother spat.
Emily nearly called Lydia to unleash her furybut stopped herself. Some battles werent worth it.
Until, months later, Lydia resurfaced.
*”Were putting up a headstone for Uncle Henry. Your shares a thousand quid.”*
*”Not a chance.”*
*”So this is your idea of family loyalty?”* Lydia sneered. *”Im shocked.”*
*”Funny. I was shocked toowhen you stole from me and slandered my name.”*
*”What are you on about?”*
*”You kept my money, let Aunt Margaret blame me, and now you expect more?”* Emilys voice hardened. *”After you declared Mum and I werent family, why should I lift a finger?”*
With that, she blocked Lydias number for good.
