I’m going to return everything, I promise, Harriet says, her voice trembling.
Harriet, Im sorry, but I cant help you in this situation. Not at all, Victoria replies, trying to stay calm, though irritation bubbles inside her. Harriet stands in the middle of the living room, shifting from foot to foot with a plaintive expression.
How can you not help? Harriet bursts into tears, the wet tracks sliding down her cheeks. I have a crucial job interview tomorrow! Its absolutely vital! And I have nothing suitable to wear!
Victoria sighs wearily. Harriet always knows how to bring on the tears at the right moment.
You have a full wardrobe, by the way, Victoria notes dryly.
But theres nothing appropriate! Harriet whines, wiping her nose with her sleeve. I need to look serious and elegant, not like a schoolgirl in old jeans and tshirts!
Harriets sobs grow louder, her voice shaking with feigned desperation. She presses her hands to her chest as if praying.
If I dont get this job, Ill be left without money! Its an amazing offer and Ill never find anything else worth it! she cries.
Harriet, whats wrong? Michael Turner walks into the living room, hearing his sisters sobbing.
Victoria winces. Now Harriet will get support.
Mike, can you believe it, Harriet turns to her brother, I have an interview tomorrow and Victoria wont lend me any clothes! Shes such a miser!
Michael frowns at his wife, baffled.
Victoria, were family. Is it really that hard to share? he asks.
Its my personal stuff, Victoria begins, but Michael cuts her off. Whats wrong with you? Harriet is asking for help in a tight spot, and you act like a greedy pig.
Harriet wipes her eyes, looking at her brother with gratitude. Victoria clenches her lips. The pressure from both sides feels unbearable.
Please, please, Harriet begs, Ill be careful, I wont damage anything. I swear Ill return everything in perfect condition!
Michael nods, backing his sister. Of course shell return it. Whats the big deal? Its just clothes.
Victoria realizes resisting is futile. Under the double onslaught, she relents.
Fine, take what you need, she says through clenched teeth, heading toward the bedroom.
She stops at the wardrobe, eyeing her own clothes. Her hand reaches automatically for a darkblue trouser suit she bought for special occasions, only worn a couple of times.
She returns to the living room with the suit on a hanger.
Harriet snatches it, hugging the fabric.
Oh, its gorgeous! Thank you so much! Ill look like a queenno, like Princess Diana
But a second later her expression changes.
And the shoes? This suit needs matching shoes.
Harriet Victoria starts to protest.
And some jewellery would help too, Harriet continues, ignoring her sisterinlaws tone. And a handbag! An elegant bag, otherwise the whole look falls apart!
Youre right, sis, Michael says. You cant go to an interview in trainers.
Victorias fists clench. Harriets audacity knows no bounds, and her brother blindly supports her.
Alright, Victoria says, and heads back to the bedroom.
From the shoe compartment she pulls out black pumps with a modest heel, then opens a jewellery box and selects simple pearl earrings with little pendants. From the hall she grabs a small black leather clutch.
Here, thats everything you need. I hope you find suitable undergarments, she says sarcastically, handing over the remaining items.
Oh, youre a lifesaver! Harriet claps, ignoring the jab. Ill return everything in the best condition, I promise!
She grabs the bundle and hurries toward the door, clearly afraid Victoria might change her mind.
Thanks again, Harriet calls out as she disappears.
Michael wraps an arm around Victorias shoulders. See how happy she is? Why did you resist such a simple request? Whats wrong with your suit, it wont eat her?
I just dont like sharing personal things with strangers, Victoria admits.
Strangers? Shes my sister, not some random girl off the street, Michael retorts.
To me shes a stranger, and you know that, Victoria snaps.
Michael shakes his head and trudges to the kitchen, muttering about womens fickleness.
A week passes. Victoria tries several times to call Harriet, always postponing the conversation. Finally her patience snaps.
Hello, Harriet? When are you returning my things?
A disgruntled sigh comes through the line.
Uh hi, Vicky. Listen, an accident happened
What accident? Victoria asks warily.
Well I spilled coffee on the suit, Harriet stammers. Theres a stain now. I tried to clean it but nothing works.
What?! Victoria exclaims.
And the bag it was stolen right from my hands on the street! And the shoes the heel broke when I chased the thief! Ill bring the earrings back later, okay?
Victoria cant believe her ears. How could all the items be ruined at once?
Harriet, how did everything youre joking, right? This has to be a prank, she says.
Sorry, Vicky, Ive got an urgent call! Lets talk later, Harriet cuts her off and hangs up.
Victoria stares at the phone, bewildered. Harriets lies are fantastical, but Victoria cant prove otherwise.
A month later Harriet shows up at their door, looking even more forlorn.
Vicky, help me! I have a corporate event and nothing to wear!
Honestly, youre as cheap as chips, Victoria replies coldly. You still have the nerve to ask after what happened last time? I wont give you anything.
Please! I promise Ill be extra careful this time!
No, dont ask again, Victoria snaps, shutting the door in Harriets shocked face.
That evening Michael returns home in a foul mood.
What did you do? he lunges at his wife. Harriet called, crying! How could you treat her like that?
I could have, Victoria says calmly. Im not giving her my clothes any more.
Are you sorry for those outfits? She asked for help!
My brother ruined my expensive suit and all my other things! Michael protests.
Well just buy you a new one!
On your salary? Victoria retorts sharply.
Michael hesitates, then presses on.
Youre just jealous of Harriet. Shes young, pretty and my clothes look better on her! he says.
And now youre siding with your sister over your own wife! Victoria shouts. They argue late into the night, but she refuses to bend.
A couple of days later she returns home early from work. She walks into the bedroom and gasps. The wardrobe doors are flung wide, clothing strewn across the bed, hangers tangled.
Trembling, Victoria starts gathering the mess. It quickly becomes clear that her favourite burgundy evening dress, a pair of new pumps, gold sapphire earrings, and a tiny pearlclasp clutch are missing.
She dials Michael.
Mike, whats happening? Did you wreck our wardrobe? Where are my things?
Oh, Harriet came over, he says calmly. I let her take whatever she liked. Shell bring everything back tomorrow.
Youve lost your mind! Victoria screams.
Look, you refused to share, so Harriet took what she wanted. Shell return it tomorrow, he replies.
Victoria slams the phone, grabs the car keys, and drives to Harriets flat at record speed.
When Harriet opens the door, her face is startled.
Vika
Where are my things? Victoria snarls through clenched teeth.
What things? I didnt take anything, Harriet pretends innocence.
Victoria shoves past her into the apartment. In Harriets bedroom she flings open the wardrobe and sees something that stops her cold.
The stained trouser suit hangs pristine on a rack. The broken shoes sit neatly beside it, and the stolen clutch rests on a shelf, along with the other items Harriet just borrowed.
You you lied! Victoria whispers. Nothing was damaged or missing! I knew it!
Harriet darts for the door, but Victoria blocks her.
Stop! Explain why you lied!
I I didnt want to give it back. I liked it too much, Harriet stammers.
Youre a brazen thief! Victoria erupts, pulling Harriets belongings from the wardrobe.
Dont insult me! Harriet yells. Im not a thief, I owe you nothing!
You owe me everything! If you ever touch my things again, youll answer to me and your brother! Victoria threatens.
She grabs her own clothes and heads for the exit.
Thank me for not calling the police right now! she warns.
At home Michael looks bewildered.
Vika, Harriet called, crying saying you insulted and threatened her, he says.
I insulted? She stole from me! She even fabricated the ruinedclothes story! Victoria declares, dumping the bag of her belongings on the floor. She holds up the suit and the shoes.
Lookno stains, and the shoes are intact!
Michael studies the flawless items in silence.
Michael, remember this, Victoria says firmly. If your sister pulls another stunt, Im leavingfor good. Decide what matters more: our marriage or your sisters whims.
Michaels face turns pale. Her resolve is unmistakable.
I didnt know she was lying, I swear, he mutters.
Now you know. And from now on, no one touches my property without my permission. Its mine, not a communal stash for your relatives.
Michael nods, eyes downcast. Victoria no longer cares about Harriets feelings. Let her buy her own clothes with her own money.
