On holiday with the shameless relativestime to lay it all out.
Ive put up with this for two weeks, Tom! Two weeks in this dump they dare call a hotel. Why on earth did we agree to this?
Because Mum wanted us to, Tom mimicked their mother in a nasally voice. Emily needs a break, Emilys had such a hard life
To be fair, Aunt Emily really did draw a short straw in life. But Holly found it impossible to feel sorry for her. Not one bit.
Emily, her mothers sister, was the perpetual poor relation, always expecting others to carry her burden.
The suitcase wouldnt shut. Holly pressed the lid down with a vengeance, knees digging in as she tried, yet the zip betrayed her and gaped open, spewing a corner of her beach towel.
From beyond the thin plywood partitionwall was a generous term in this decrepit guesthousecame an ear-piercing shriek. Thatd be Archie, Emilys six-year-old son.
Not eating porridge! No! I want nuggets! The child howled as if he were being tortured.
Next came the dull thud of a slap, the clatter of crockery, and the lazy, raspy voice of Emily herself:
Oh, come on, darling. Have a spoonful for Mummy
Vera, would you pop to the shop and get him those nuggets, hmm? Hes making such a fuss. My feet are killing meI cant manage.
Holly froze, still clinging to the suitcase zip. Vera! Their mum would just go and do it, wouldnt she?
Tom, her brother, was perched on the only rickety chair in their matchbox of a room, staring gloomily at his phone. His stuff lay untouched in the corner.
You hear that? Holly said quietly, nodding at the wall. Shes bossing Mum about again. Vera, fetch, Vera, bring and Mum will drop everything and go running.
Dont start, Tom grunted, eyes not leaving his screen. Were home tomorrow.
Ive put up with it for two weeks, Tom! Two weeks in this hovel.
Because Mum asked. Emily needs a break, Emilys had such terrible luck, Tom drawled, mimicking Mum again.
Holly sat down on the bed; the springs gave a helpless groan.
Truthfully, Aunt Emilys life was nothing to envy. But Holly simply couldnt muster up any pity. EmilyMums full sisterhad always expected everyone to bail her out.
First, thered been that awful family tragedy spoken of only in whispers: Emilys firstborn, lost in infancy.
Afterwards, a husband who liked the bottle too much, drinking himself to death a few years ago.
Now Emily was raising two children by different fathers, all crammed into their grandmothers council flatalong with yet another dream man, her eighth, if anyone was counting.
Work wasnt Emilys thing; she considered her role to be decorating the world and suffering, and thought it was up to others to bankroll her version of lifes party.
Above allHollys mother, Vera, whom Emily always considered flush with cash.
Holly got up and looked out the window. Their grand view was of the bins and the wall of a neighbours chicken run.
This whole trip was Mums idea. Lets go as a familyEmily needs cheering up! Which, of course, meant Vera paid for most of the holidays, bought the food, and cooked for the whole horde, while Emily and her new friendsome woman named Denise, whom shed bonded with over a mutual love of idleness by the poolstretched out on loungers all day.
Get your things, Tom, Holly said. Were going to dinner. Farewell meal.
***
Of course, the restaurant wasnt their choice.
Emily declared she wanted something expensive.
The place sat right on the promenade. They had to push together two tables just to fit their whole lota real rabble, Holly thought.
Emily, in a sparkly dress straining at the seams, took pride of place beside Denisea loud, broad-shouldered woman with brittle, over-bleached hair.
Waiter! barked Emily, not glancing at a menu. We want the bestkebabs, salads, and a jug of your finest red, please!
Vera sat by the edge, smiling timidly, looking utterly exhausted. She hadnt had a moments peace in the past fortnightArchies tantrums, Emilys ill turns, Denises boredom.
Mum, order yourself some fish, you wanted to, Holly murmured, leaning close.
Oh, its too pricey, Vera waved her off. A salads plenty. Let Emily, shes been through so much.
Hollys anger prickled. Oh yes, shed suffered, hadnt she? Next to her, six-year-old King Archie hammered at his plate with a spoon.
Feed me! he demanded, mouth wide, eyes glued to a tablet.
Emily broke off from chatting with Denise, obediently scooped up some mash and popped it into his mouth. Thats my darling. Fill your tummy, get strong.
Hes six, Aunt Emily. You think he cant feed himself? Holly snapped.
The table fell silent. Emily turned her head deliberately.
Who asked you, my sweet niece? she hissed. Have your own kids first, then you can judge. My boys sensitivehe needs extra care.
What he needs are boundaries, not an iPad at the table, Holly replied. He screams the place down if he doesnt get his way. Youre raising a little tyrant.
Oh, enough! Denise cut in, flapping her hands. Look at herpuffed up psychologist! Dont you lecture your elders, girl.
Youve no idea about life, love. Let your betters teach you.
Holly, shush, Mum whispered, tugging her sleeve. Dont spoil the evening. Please.
The night dragged on forever. Emily and Denise loudly dissected men, gossiped about the guests, and moaned about their lot as women.
Emilys daughter Alice stayed glued to her phone, occasionally throwing dirty looks at the oldies. Archie wailed whenever he wanted pudding and was immediately handed a towering ice cream.
When the bill arrived, Emily sighed theatrically.
Oh dearleft my purse in the room! Vera, could you pay? Ill sort you out when were back, promise.
You never sort it out, Holly thought as she watched her mum silently reach for her card. Theyd rehearsed this scene a dozen times.
***
They got back after midnight. Holly went straight for the shower, desperate to scrub away the night.
The water ran thin, alternately freezing and scalding.
Back in the hall, she paused outside the kitchen; loud, sniping voices carried through the crack.
Did you see the face on her? Denise cackled. He cant feed himself None of her business, stuck-up little cow!
If it werent for you, Vera, shed be mucking out cows tails, not turning up her nose in posh restaurants. Empty-headed, no boyfriend, no sensejust full of herself.
Holly stopped breathing. Her heart hammered painfully in her ears. She waitedjust waited for her mother to finally snap, to bang her fist on the table.
For her to say, Shut your mouth, Denise, dont you dare talk about my daughter like that. Or for her at least to walk out.
But instead, only Emilys weary, whinging sigh: Oh, I know, Denise. She is hard work, that girl. Takes after her fathers side. All the attitude.
Not like mineAlice might be a handful, but shes got a heart. That one looks at us like dirt. I lose my appetite just sitting next to her.
Shouldve given her a good whack when she was little, Vera! Denise chimed in. Now, look at herthinks shes royalty, no respect for her own mother. Id have thrown her out.
Holly pressed her forehead to the door frame. Mum said nothing.
She sat, tea (or something stronger, by the boozy reek) in hand, as her only daughter was dragged through the muck.
Something snapped inside Holly. She flung the door widethe bang echoing through the kitchen.
The three women froze at a plastic table strewn with cold leftovers and empty tubes.
Emilys sparkly dress had split under the arm. Denises face was red and clammy. And her mumher mumshrunk into her shoulders.
So, Im an empty-headed brat, am I? Hollys tone was ice.
And you, Aunt Emily, are supposed to be our big-hearted one?
Emily hiccupped, eyes wide. Denise loomed from her chair.
What you doing, ear-wigging, you little madam? Denise growled, fists clenched.
Im not ear-wiggingyoure shouting the whole house down. Holly stepped inside, fixing her aunt squarely. Well, Emily, did that ice cream go down alright when Mum paid for it in the restaurant? Was the bit in your throat such a bother then?
Ingrate! Emily shrieked, purple with rage. We give you everything, and you sneer down your nose! Im old enough to be your mother, and you dare throw food in my face? Choke on your precious money!
Its not about money, its your cheek! Hollys own voice trembled now. Youve hung off Mums coat tails your whole life! One man, then another, made-up illnesses, your kidsshe works herself to the bone to pay for your seaside getaways only for you to rip into her behind her back! Your daughter is a mouthy brat, cursing and stomping over you, and you lecture me? Your boys a manipulatoryou cant even say no!
Emily stared, speechless.
Holly! Vera shrieked, leaping up. Stop! Go to the bedroom at once!
No, Mum, I wont. Holly turned to her, pain burning in her eyes. Youre sat here letting a strangersomeone weve known two daysslag off your daughter. And you say nothing? You let them do this?
Denise shoved back her chair, advancing, fists balled.
Alright, you little madam, Ill teach you some respect
She raised a meaty hand. Holly barely flinched, only managed to recoil a stepwhen Tom appeared, catching her wrist mid-swing.
Touch her and youll regret it, he muttered. Have you lot lost your heads? Aunt Emily, pack it inwere leaving.
We? Whos we? Emily screeched, desperate, losing her grip. Im not going anywhere! Weve two days left, all paid for!
Vera! Your children are deranged! Attacking us!
Finally, Vera found her voice. She rushed to Holly, shaking her fiercely.
Why did you start this?! she sobbed, tears streaming. Why did you come out? Couldnt you keep quiet? Now youve ruined everything! Were familyhow could you make such a scene?!
Holly gently pried her mothers hands off. Something inside had brokenfor good.
Im not ashamed, Mum, her voice barely more than a whisper. You should be. For letting them treat us all like this.
She turned and walked out. Tom followed.
They packed in silence. Through the wall came Emilys noisy theatrics about her awful lot, and Denises boozy curses. Alice, woken by the racket, complained loudly about her sleep.
We cant get out till the morning, Tom mumbled. Coach isnt till sunrise. Guess well have to wait at the station.
Holly threw her toiletries into a bag. Better the station than another second in this dump.
What about Mum?
Holly froze, t-shirt in hand. Mum made her choice. Shes still in that kitchencomforting her sister.
***
Holly doesnt speak to her mother now, nor does Tomthey never forgave her. Vera called a few times, saying shed forgive them if they apologised to Emily, but Holly and Tom were done with that sort of forgiveness.
Theyd had their fill.
If Vera wanted to keep grovelling to her sisterso be it. Holly and Tom were better off without shameless family.
