Monday, 14May
I can still hear my mothers shrill voice echoing through the hallway, finger wagging at my sisterinlaw. Shes the one who twisted you, Emma, she snarled. You never spared a penny for me or little Emily!
James scowled, his jaw tight. Mum, give me my money back! I never let you touch it!
Emilys savings would have to do without a holiday; the £30,000 earmarked for the flats refurbishment would simply vanish. Otherwise Ill call the police, I warned, feeling my throat tighten.
My mother clutched her chest and slumped onto a nearby chair, her eyes wide with panic.
The moving day felt endless. Ten times I ran my hand over the cardboard box, sealing it with sticky tape, then blew a stray lock of hair from my forehead.
The new flat reeked of damp dog a mystery, since the previous tenants never owned a pet.
James, where are you? I shouted down the corridor. The removal crew leaves in half an hour; we still have kitchen boxes to sort.
James slipped into the living room, wiping his hands on his jeans. All the movers are in. Listen, Emma, Ive been thinking Maybe we skip the kitchen tonight? Order a pizza, pop a bottle of wine? Im exhausted.
I glanced at the towering piles of cardboard. Pizza sounds lovely, but we have no bed linen. The bedding is somewhere in those pyramids. And we still need to swing by your parents place.
James tensed ever so slightly. Maybe tomorrow? Its already late.
My moneys there, plus the family heirloom ring. Tomorrow we have to meet the contractors and pay the advance for the bathroom work. How are we supposed to pay?
The chaos of the move had been dragging on for a week, and Id insisted we haul every valuable thing out. Too many strangers were already crowding the flat. Id already taken my parents documents, my jewellery, and a stash of cash in foreign currency to their safe, without demanding explanations.
Dealing with Jamess parents proved tougher.
Why all this with the inlaws? I muttered under my breath, mimicking my motherinlaws tone. Are we strangers now? Do you not trust us?
Margaret Thompson, Jamess mother, could take offense so seriously that even the cat seemed to feel guilty. She pressed her lips together, reached for a bottle of calming tablets, and dramatically clasped her chest.
James, ever the softhearted one, gave in first. Emma, honestly, Mums hurt. Shall we give her something? My watch, my gold bracelet, the money we set aside for the renovationdoes it matter where they end up?
I waved my hand, and we handed over a sealed bag containing the cash.
Three hundred thousand rublesnow about £30,000plus a little gold box that had belonged to Jamess grandfather, containing a hefty signet ring with a dark ruby. James had never worn it; it was his only tangible memory of his father, who had died young.
Alright, James said, nodding. Ill call Mum and tell her well be there shortly.
The front door swung open, and Margaret burst in, arms wide. Oh, my dear movers! she exclaimed, leaning in for a cheeky kiss that never quite landed. Had a long day? Come in, Ive fried some haddock.
Love, were just stepping in for a minute, James said, still in his trainers, We still have boxes to unpack until nightfall. Were after the bag.
From the depths of the flat, in fluffy house slippers, emerged Lucy Thompson, Jamess sister, four years older but forever acting like shes twentyfour. She lived elsewhere with her husband but was a regular at Mums house.
Hey there! she waved, perfectly manicured. Already moved into the new manor? Whens the housewarming?
Id seen pictures on her Instagram Storieskitchens looking weary, everything screaming for a fresh start.
Hi, Lucy, I replied, forcing a smile. Were actually here for the money.
Margaret fussed with her cardigan, then, oddly, shuffled sideways toward the kitchen. Oh, youre at the doorway Come in for a cup of tea. Itd be rude to just pop in and out, you know, bad luck and all that.
Love, were really pressed for time, James pleaded. Just the bag, then well be off.
Margaret sighed, slipped into the bedroom, and returned a moment later with Jamess jewellery box. He opened it, eyes narrowing. Wheres the watch? The bracelet? The envelope?
Inside lay only a pair of cufflinks and a chain hed worn in his youth.
Margaret pressed her hands to her chest. Oh, darling James dont worry. Ive put the watch and bracelet in the chest of drawers; Ill fetch them soon.
As for the rest
Lets head to the kitchen, shall we? Were whispering in the hallway like strangers!
A cold shiver ran down my spine. I exchanged a look with James. His face was the picture of a child whose ice cream had just been snatched away.
We entered the kitchen.
Sit down, Margaret commanded, flopping onto a chair. Right, so Emilys going through a rough patch right nowstress, exhaustion She needs a reset.
My mother, what are you on about? Jamess voice hardened. And wheres the money?
Dont interrupt, dear! Emily and Oliver are setting off on a cruise around the Mediterraneanher dream holiday!
Olivers business is in a tight spot at the momentcash flow issues, you know
So the money cant be pulled now. Those cruise tickets are nonrefundable!
I took a seat on a stool, steadying myself. Margaret, are you saying you handed our cash to Lucy for a cruise?
Handed? No, we lent it! As soon as Olivers finances recover, theyll return everythingmaybe in six months, maybe a year. Youll earn more in the meantime. Lucy just needs it now, her nerves are shot!
Nerves? James stared at his sister. Lucy, are you serious? You took my £30,000?
Were supposed to pay the builders tomorrow! Are we supposed to live in a concrete box for a year?
Lucy set down her fork, rolled her eyes. Oh, James, stop being a child. Mine, yours Were family!
Do you even have a place to stay? James asked. We have walls, a mattress, romance!
The cruise was a bargain! Can you imagine the discount? Wed have missed the whole thing.
You think Im happy for my sister, but you I snapped, youre a?
Lucy, your husband earns three times more than James, I interjected. If he cant afford a cruise, then youre not going.
Give the money back now!
I dont have it right now! Lucy huffed. Everythings already paidtickets, cabin, excursions. We set sail in a week.
Then cancel it! James shouted.
For the first time I saw Jamess ears redden.
Return the tickets, give the money back. Mum, what were you thinking? Thats not your money! I gave it to you for safekeeping!
Margarets hands flailed, tears welling instantly. Thank you! I raised him, stayed up nights, and now hes complaining! Its just a little bit, you think were being cruel to a sister? Shes practically family!
You have a car, a flat, youre living the good life. And Emily?
What about Emily? I snapped. She lives in a townhouse and drives an Audi. Are you mocking us?
Dont count other peoples money as yours, dear, Margaret snapped venomously. Its indecent.
Fine, James stood. Well sort the money later; Ill call Oliver, get him to explain his cash flow. Mum, bring the watch, the bracelet, and the heirloom ring. Were leaving.
Margaret scrambled, eyes darting. The watch yes, just a moment.
She bolted out of the kitchen and returned a minute later, placing the watch and gold bracelet on the table.
Wheres the ring? James asked, staring at the empty surface.
Mum theres a little problem. The rings old, out of fashion, a masculine piece. Its just lying there
Before I could protest, Lucy slipped the hefty rubyset signet off her middle finger and tossed it onto the table.
James stared, his face blanching.
Take it off, he whispered.
What? It looks vintage! Lucy cooed, admiring the stone. Its so on trend now, oversized, masculine chic.
I had it polished a bit for a new dress, she added. Its my grandfathers ring, James! My dadsyour uncleswhat does it have to do with my grandmas heirloom?
Ah, the whole ours versus theirs debate! Margaret jabbed. James, how shameful! You and Lucy are practically twins!
It doesnt matter whose ancestor it came from, Lucy shrugged. It gathered dust.
She turned to me, eyes glittering. Youre a woman; you need jewellery. Hes a man; he doesnt need shininess.
Its a memory, James said hoarsely. Its the only thing I have left of my father, apart from photos.
Just a memory! Lucy waved it away. Old junk. I might melt it down, redesign it. The stones fine, the setting is Soviet.
The kitchen fell into a ringing silence. I watched the two women, realizing they truly didnt understand. To them, James was merely a resource; his feelings, his memories, his boundaries were insignificant compared to the whims of a beloved daughter.
I stepped forward, standing close to Lucy. Remove the ring, I said calmly.
What, fight over it? Lucy sneered. Come on, Emma, youre such a chatterbox.
Take it off, James repeated, his voice low and threatening. Or Ill call the police and file a theft report. You know Ill do that.
Lucy scoffed, but a flash of fear crossed her eyes. She ripped the ring off with a harsh tug, skin scraping, and flung it onto the table.
Dammit, you wretched sister! she spat. Youve ruined my brothers precious heirloom!
James snatched the ring, clenched it tight. Make sure the £30,000 is in my account by tomorrow evening.
If not, Id call Oliver and tell him exactly how his wife was pilfering from relatives under the guise of business troubles. I was sure hed find that cash flow story amusing.
You wont dare! Lucy screamed. Youll tear the family apart! Mum, tell him!
Margaret collapsed onto a chair, wailing as if the world had ended. Oh, the tragedy! Our son has been replaced!
It was you, you snake, who set this up! she jabbed at me. Before he married, he was the golden boy, everything went to mum and sister!
Now hes being sold for pennies!
James took my hand, pulling me toward the door. Lets go, Emma. We have nothing left to do here.
Dont forget the watch, I reminded him.
He scooped the watch and bracelet into his pocket. Goodbye, he muttered, not looking back.
We slipped out in silence, the car ride home heavy with unspoken grief. Watching James, I could see the adult man fighting back tears, betrayed by those he loved most.
Three days later, after waiting patiently for Lucy to return the money, I finally called Oliver. He listened, apologized, and promised to sort things out. Within a few hours he transferred the £30,000 back to Jamess account.
My mother later erupted into a hysterical tirade, screaming that because of us, Emily didnt get her holidaythe cruise tickets were now useless.
Since then, James has cut off contact with both Lucy and his mother, and Ive done the same. The renovation of our flat is finally progressing, and soon well host a proper housewarmingwithout a sisterinlaw or a meddling motherinlaw.
