Look at my daughter, shes a genius! Olivia Clarke boasts to the women next door. Shes aced every exam this term and even finds a way to earn a little extra she doesnt take a penny from us!
Good heavens, Olivia, Im jealous, sighs her neighbour, Mrs. Thompson. My children cant do anything but beg for money. They dont want to study at all. Lucy says shell rush straight into marriage after college, thinking a husband should provide for her. And my son she waves her hand in despair. Your Eleanor, though, is a brilliant young lady, intent on making her own way in the world.
From a short distance away, Michael Hughes, who has just stepped out of the gossip circle, mutters under his breath. Hed love to head home, but his mother still has a few shops to run. If his father were at work, the honour of carrying the shopping bags today would fall on him. If you only knew what my sister is up to in the capital, youd never bring her up again, he thinks, keeping his mouth shut.
Did you say something? Olivia asks, irritation flickering across her face as Michael frowns. Can you wait five more minutes? she wonders, not yet spilling the full story.
Yes, Mum, Michael replies calmly. I have a presentation to finish for tomorrow and an essay to write. Could you maybe share your bragging rights another time?
Honestly, you and your father never let anyone finish a sentence! she huffs, waving a hand toward the door. Fine, lets go.
Michael shrugs as the neighbours eyes soften. Theyre no longer thrilled to be caught in a mothers lovefilled spotlight. Olivia keeps talking about Eleanor in a tone that makes it sound as if the girl were a flawless ideal everyone should emulate.
Only Michael knows the truth. He keeps quiet, not wanting his mother to worry.
—
Is Miss Eleanor Clarke living here? a sharptongued lady asks, catching Olivia offguard. Two men standing behind her only add to the tension.
My daughter now lives in London. Shes attending university, Olivia replies proudly. What do you want with her?
University, you say? Eleanor? Youre joking, arent you? the intruder sneers. She fled after the first term. She didnt pass a single exam, which isnt surprisingshe never attended lectures, preferring to hunt for a boyfriend.
How dare you speak about my daughter like that! Ill sue you for defamation, Olivia snaps, the clatter behind the door startling her into silence. Calling the woman in would mean admitting she might be right. Ignoring her? She doubts the woman would say much anyway; gossip spreads regardless of truth.
Please, go away, Olivias son, Michael, interjects, stopping his mothers hesitation. Dont give them any more fuel for gossip.
Mother, let them in, the woman pleads.
But, Michael
Let them in.
Michael, though only sixteen, looks older than his years, serious and a touch nervous. He ushers the guests into the sitting room, gesturing toward the sofa. The lady smiles and settles into an armchair a few steps away, while the two men remain standing.
Michael! How could you invite them in? You heard what they said about Eleanor!
I heard, Michael replies irritably. Thats why I let them in. While my fathers away on business, Im acting as head of the household. I have to try to minimise any damage.
You think you know more about my sister than I do? the woman teases, leaning forward. Do you have any idea where she is now?
In London, of course, Mum didnt lie, Michael says with a crooked grin. She doesnt live in a dorm, but in a rented flat paid for by her husband. I dont know the address, but I do know the man is about twenty years older than Eleanor, has three adult children, and is absurdly wealthy.
Is his name Gregory, by any chance?
Let me guessyoure his wife? Michaels eyes narrow. Where has my notsosmart sister ended up that theyre looking for her here?
Thank heavens, no, she replies coolly. Im his sister, fed up with my brothers nonsense. Gregory has a wonderful wife and a daughter from a business partnershipshes terribly upset by any other women around her husband. Shell probably file for divorce soon enough.
So we cant let that happen, can we?
Smart boy, the lady mutters. Any clue where your brazen sister might be?
I dont, but a friend of hers might know. I could contact her, but first I want to hear your plans. I only have one sister, you know.
Michael, what does all this mean? Whos Gregory? What flat? Whats happened to my daughter? Olivias face turns pale. Michael dashes to the bathroom where his mother keeps her medication.
Should I call an ambulance? the lady asks, sounding a little guilty.
Michael waves her off. Of course he calls an ambulanceNina Victor, the friendliest paramedic in the block, promises to arrive within five minutes. She must be nearby.
Michael how do you know all this? Olivia asks, refusing to believe the truth. My daughter how do I live with this now?
Remember when Eleanor last showed up? Her phone broke, right? She borrowed my laptop to chat with a friend and couldnt log out. I read through her messages, was a bit surprised, asked her straight out. She didnt deny anything, just begged you not to tell anyone.
Michael genuinely worries about his mother. Shes a good, kind woman whose only flaw is her habit of bragging about her childrens achievements. He blushes whenever she boasts about his certificates and medals to anyone wholl listen.
Later, after Olivia is settled in bed under the watch of medical staff, Michael returns to the guests, eager to hear the womans scheme regarding his sister.
So, what do you intend to do?
Nothing illegal. Ill give some money and introduce her to a few respectable, single menpeople who could help her make a proper match.
Alright, Ill see what I can do, Michael sighs heavily, bracing for an uncomfortable conversation. His friend in Nottingham, Natalie, is known to be rather pushy and meddlesome. He now has to navigate the whole successful exam excuse. Maybe his brother wants to give his sister a gift? Since she lives so far away, only a courier could help.
Here, Michael hands the woman a piece of paper. I hope you keep your word.
I will, dont worry.
As she steps out, she loudly declares, clearly for the eavesdropping neighbours, Sorry for the disturbance. I had no other way to speak without prying ears. I hope no nasty rumours spread. And please, tell Eleanor Im sorry personally. I trust the people here are decent enough not to gossip.
Rumours do circulate, but theyre weak. Olivia immediately scolds anyone who mentions her daughters name, bragging far less and rarely leaving the house.
Michael discusses everything with his father, and they agree on a friendly planmove house. Olivia feels mortified to meet her neighbours eyes, realizing shes been misleading them all along.
One bright afternoon the family packs up and relocates, as Michael tells the curious neighbours, Were moving closer to London, nearer to Eleanor. The doctors are better there, and Mums health has been poor lately.
Eleanor never returns; she marries quickly and forgets her family completely.
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