“You’d never mention your sister again if you knew what she was really up to in the capitallet alone brag about her.”
“My daughters such a clever one!” Olivia boasted to the neighbours. “Got straight As on her exams! Even manages to earn a little extrahasnt asked us for a single penny!”
“I envy you, Olivia! Mine only know how to ask for money,” the woman sighed. “And they cant be bothered to study. My Emily says shell marry right after collegelet her husband provide, she says. And my son oh, dont even get me started.” She waved a hand, utterly disappointed. “But your Sophies a gemgoing to make her own way in the world.”
“Yeah, right,” muttered Thomas under his breath, stepping away from the gossiping women. Hed have loved to go home, but his mum hadnt finished her shopping yet. And with Dad at work, the honour of being the designated bag-carrier fell to him. “If you knew what your precious Sophie was really doing in London, youd never bring her up again.”
“Did you say something?” Olivia shot him an annoyed look. Couldnt he just wait five minutes? She hadnt even finished listing all her daughters achievements.
“Yeah, Mum. Ive got a presentation and an essay due tomorrow. Maybe save the bragging for next time?” Thomas replied flatly.
“You and your father! Never let a woman have a proper chat. Fine, lets go.”
Thomas shrugged, catching the relieved glances from the neighbours. Theyd clearly had enough of Olivias endless praise. To hear her talk, youd think Sophie was perfectsomeone everyone should aspire to be.
But he knew the truth. Knew, and kept quiet. Didnt want Mum worrying
***
“Does Sophie Harrison live here?” The womans disdainful tone threw Olivia off. And the two men lingering behind her didnt help matters.
“My daughters at university in London,” Olivia said proudly. “What do you want with her?”
“University? Sophie? Really?” The woman actually laughed. “She dropped out after her first term. Didnt pass a single examnot surprising, since she skipped lectures to chase after men.”
“How dare you slander my girl! Ill sue you for defamation!” Olivia froze at the sound of murmuring behind neighbouring doors. Letting this woman inside would be admitting she might be right. But turning her away? Who knew what shed say next? People would gossip either way.
“Come in,” Thomas interrupted, his voice firm. “No point giving them more to talk about. Mum, let them in.”
“But, Thomas”
“Let them in.”
At sixteen, he suddenly seemed years older. Calm, seriousjust a little tense. He led the guests to the living room, gesturing for them to sit. The woman smirked and took the armchair instead, while the men remained standing.
“Thomas! How could you invite them in? Did you hear what she said about Sophie?”
“I did. Thats why I let them in,” he snapped. With Dad away, he was the man of the house now. And he had to minimise the damage.
“What”
“Your sisters no saint,” the woman cut in mockingly. “Got any idea where she is now?”
“London, like Mum said. But shes not in student halls, obviously,” Thomas said with a bitter smile. “Shes in a flatpaid for by her boyfriend. And no, I dont have the address. But I do know hes married, twenty years older, with three grown kids. And filthy rich.”
“His name wouldnt happen to be Gregory, would it?”
“Let me guessyoure his wife?” Thomas tensed. What mess had his idiot sister landed in?
“Thank God, no. His sister. And Im tired of cleaning up his messes,” the woman said coldly. “Gregorys got a lovely wifedaughter of his biggest business partner. Shes not happy about his little side arrangements. Might just file for divorce.”
“And we cant have that, can we?”
“Smart boy,” she murmured. “Any idea where your sister is now?”
“Not me. But her best mate might. I can call herbut first, I want to know your plans. Shes still my sister.”
“Thomas, what is all this? Whos Gregory? What flat? Whats happened to my girl?” Olivias face had gone pale. Thomas bolted to the bathroomwhere Mum kept her pills.
“Should we call an ambulance?” The woman almost sounded guilty.
Thomas shook his head. Hed already called one while fetching the pills. Dr. Emily, their lovely GP, promised shed be there in five minutes. Probably just round the corner.
“Thomas how did you know all this?” Olivia whispered, refusing to believe it. Her daughtera mistress? How could she face anyone now?
“Last time Sophie visited, her phone broke. Remember? She borrowed my laptop to message her friend. Forgot to log out. So I read her chats. Asked her straight outshe didnt deny it. Just begged me not to tell you.”
His heart ached for Mum. She was kind, goodher only flaw was bragging about her kids. He hated it too, when she went on about his medals and awards.
Later, once Olivia was settled in bed with the doctor, Thomas returned to their guests. He needed to know what they planned to do about Sophie.
“So? What now?”
“Nothing drastic. Ill give her money. Introduce her to some people. Single ones, this time. If shes smart, shell marry well.”
“Fine. Give me a minute,” Thomas sighed, bracing himself. Sophies best friend was difficult. Hed have to play this carefully. A little white liemaybe a congrats on finishing exams gift? When you lived miles apart, delivery was the only option.
“Here.” He handed the woman a slip of paper. “Hope you keep your word.”
“I will. Dont worry.”
On her way out, the woman made sure the eavesdropping neighbours heard:
“Sorry for the fussjust needed a private chat. Hope no nasty rumours start. But Im sure your neighbours are decent folk.”
Rumours did spread, but weakly. Olivia shut them down fast, defending her daughters namethough she stopped boasting. Stopped going out much at all.
Thomas talked to his dad, and they agreedtime to move. Olivia couldnt bear facing the neighbours, knowing shed been lying all along.
So one sunny day, they left. “Closer to Sophie,” Thomas told the nosy neighbours. “Better doctors thereMums been poorly lately.”
Sophie never visited. She married well and forgot about her family entirely.
