Rachel
“Rachel! This is outrageous! Unacceptable! You cannot let people treat you this way!” Mrs. Irene Patterson slammed her coffee cup onto its saucer, sloshing half the fragrant drink across the table. With a frustrated sigh, she snatched up a napkin and dabbed at the spreading droplets, annoyed at herself for losing her composure.
The petite, dark-eyed woman across from her smiled gently, collected her bosss cup without a fuss, replaced it moments later filled to the brim, and settled it well clear of any paperwork.
“Thank you! Oh, forgive me, my dear, Im not myself today. Rachel, how can I help you?”
“What help could you give, really?” Rachel shrugged, pouring coffee for herself. “Shes my mother.”
“And you? You raised the boy all these years. Set your own life aside. And now its, Excuse me, move over? What does Max say about it?”
“Nothing. He has no idea.”
“Rachel!” Mrs. Patterson all but groaned. “How is that fair? Hes the first person who should know, surely. It involves him too.”
“I just didnt want to worry him. Hes got so much going on work, final exams, his degree, his own family. He worries enough as it is.”
Mrs. Patterson shook her head, frowning in thought.
“Look, I know youre an adult, and its not really my place but, Rachel, let me meddle a little. Youre a wonderful person. Truly, Ive known you for years, and I cant say a single cross word about you. But right now, you need to be a little less accommodating. Draw your lines. For Maxs sake, for your own.”
“Thank you for caring.” Rachel smiled, flipping open the next report in her folder. Work waited for no one; her personal life could wait for the evening. She sighed quietly. Lately, there was no joy in rushing home. Work gave her a peace that ended as soon as she reached her front door, ever since her older sister, Susan, moved in.
Rachel was the baby of the family the latecomer no one expected or, frankly, wished for. Her motherNataliehesitated long and hard before deciding to keep her. Natalie already had two children who filled her world with meaning, and a third, in hard times, seemed a stretch. She spent sleepless nights pacing the dark kitchen, worrying about what to do. One early morning, she heard an infants wailher neighbours month-old son, she knew, but it struck straight to her heart. Instinctively, she cradled her bump and whispered, “No, I cant”
Rachel was born full-term. The nurses at the hospital couldnt resist smiling at the quiet baby girl.
“Its too early for her to smile, but look at her!”
Natalie, holding her new daughter close, studied her face. So unlike Rachels older siblings, Susan and Alex, who were both pale, loud, and large-headedspitting images of their father. Rachel was dark-haired, delicate, and small-voicedher mothers likeness. She hardly ever cried, only letting out small, apologetic squeaks if hungry or uncomfortable.
From the moment the girl was named, she was always “Rachel”her full name only appearing on official documents.
Neither sibling celebrated the new addition. The arrival of a third child did mean the family earned a new, larger flat earlier than expected, and Susan and Alex finally got a separate room. Yet Rachel was more nuisance than joy to them; they refused to play with her, sent her packing whenever she approached. To her credit, Rachel didnt protest. She would bring her drawing pad and sit quietly in the same room, pleased just to be near them. Natalie tried to reason with her older two, but gave up soon enoughthe age gap was too wide. Who wanted to babysit?
Trouble began in nursery. Rachel was pathologically kind, giving up her meatballs or juice to anyone who asked, which her peers shamelessly exploited. Natalie only realised Rachel was half-starved when the health visitor scolded her for her child losing weight and becoming listless. Thereafter, the nursery staff kept Rachel close at mealtimes and watched she ate properly. Rachel cheered up and began bringing her meagre sweets or toys to placate those who resented losing her leftovers. If anyone could comfort every sad ladybird or weeping cleaner, it was Rachel. The nursery maid, Aunt Pat (as everyone called her), loved the gentle girl in turnhaving no children of her own. On her way out in the evenings, Rachel would always hug Pat, and Natalie would scold her:
“Why do you cling to her, as if shes family? Shes not. Honestly, youre too softhearted!”
Keeping up with her mothers brisk pace, Rachel only smiled and repeated the next day.
At the nursery leaving party, Pat wept openly. Later, learning which school Rachel attended, she took a job there as a cleaner. Years later, when Pats drunken husband finally left for his mistress, Pat moved north to care for her ill mother. Rachel was devastated, clutching her “friend” in a last hug.
“Now then, my dear, you keep this,” Pat said, fastening a little cross on a chain around Rachels neck. Whenever you look at it, remember me. Ill never forget you. And remember, Ill come if you need me!”
Rachel nodded, clinging tightly.
School was no easier. She loved everyonefew loved her back. Such openness made Rachel easy prey for bullies, and Natalie was forever berating her daughter for being so scatterbrained. By then, life had improved; Rachels father found good work, and they were more settled. She still wore Susans hand-me-downs, but had new pens and a smart pencil casewhich a friend soon borrowed indefinitely, earning Rachel a telling-off from Natalie. The friend’s mother eventually returned the items, and Natalie lectured Rachel again about thinking for herself sometimes.
Rachel excelled academically and would never let a classmate go without help. Shed finish several versions of a test for others while the teachers turned a blind eye. She left school with top marks and a medal, and began university smoothly.
By then, Susan and Alex had married and left home. Alex moved to another city, and Susan visited only on holidays. Gradually, all responsibility for caring for their ailing father, and later their mother, fell on Rachel. She was bright and always had admirers, but over the years, they all drifted awayshe never had the time for a walk, let alone a proper date. After lectures, she would rush hometo clean, cook, wash, or tend to her bedbound father. No one ever said thank you; her efforts were taken as due. Natalie would grumble:
“Why are you always smiling? Is there anything to smile about? Foolish girl!”
Rachel would just shake her head and stroke her fathers wasted hands. He could no longer speak after his latest stroke, but tears would run down his face each time she touched him.
Clutching Pats little cross, Rachel would weep alone in church as they laid her father to rest, quietly praying that where hed gone, pain no longer existed.
Natalie followed five years later, utterly exhausting Rachel with her constant complaints, endlessly warning:
“Do you not see the world you live in? Theyll eat you alive, Rachel! You cant go on like this!”
Natalie knew well that her elder children had washed their hands of her, making excuses and dumping all responsibility on the youngest. Alex simply said he couldnt come and that family expenses prevented regular support. Susan, meanwhile, never lifted a finger, but would arrive for “inspections”.
“Whys this bedding not fresh? You only changed it yesterday? Should be daily! And these floors havent been washed. What exactly do you do all day? Poor Mum!”
Rachel, stretched between her job and whatever home she could provide, would simply nodher smile, by now, faded. Years of exhaustion had withered the once vibrant young woman into a shadow.
“Rachel, why do you let her speak to you like that?” Pat, dropping everything to help once she learned Natalie was truly bedbound, stroked Rachels head as the girl nibbled at homemade pasties.
“Heavens, Pat, how delicious!”
That old smile sliced straight through Pats heart, and she hugged Rachel tightly.
“You say I allow it but what do you expect me to do? Argue? Throw her out? Make her help? Its not possible. Pat, I just want Mum to pass peacefully. Shes suffered enoughwhat point making life harsher at the end?” Rachel pressed into Pat and closed her eyes. How good it was to have someone who truly cared.
With Pats arrival, things improved a little. Even Natalie softened, stopping her endless nagging. In the final days, she spoke a lot to Rachel, asking forgiveness before slipping away peacefully in her sleep, granting her daughter hope that her efforts weren’t wasted after all.
On the very day of the funeral, Susan and Alex began discussing inheritance. Pat, banging plates, couldnt restrain herself:
“Whats wrong with you people?”
“Nothing special,” Susan shrugged, adjusting her black headscarf. “Weve got families and children. Rachels alone. She doesnt need such a grand place.”
Rachel left the room, not wishing to get dragged in. Alexs wife tried to tug his sleeve, but he just waved her off.
“Later!”
The flat was divided quickly enough. Rachel took a small one-bedroom place and finally breathed freely. Settling in, she bought two rail tickets and convinced Pat to join her for a seaside holiday.
“Pat, look at thisso beautiful!” Rachel stood with open arms at the end of the Brighton Pier, face lifted to the dazzling sun.
“It couldnt be better!” Pat marvelled at the people, gulls, ships crowding the marina, the sea, the vast sky.
Together, they spent almost two weeks on the English coastdays burned into memory as the happiest theyd ever known.
Back home, Rachel found a note pinned to her doorSusan had been. Dropping her bags, Rachel turned straight round and went to her sisters.
Susans flat was chaos. Her sister, wild-eyed and tearstained, flitted from room to room.
“Hes left! Walked out on me! The nerve!”
Rachel grasped the situation instantly, retrieving her tiny, two-year-old nephew, Max, from behind the sofa, where hed hidden after weeping himself out. She took him to the kitchen, fed him quickly, and listened with half-an-ear to Susan, who never stopped ranting, asking and answering her own rhetorical questions.
“Was life so terrible with me? I ran a good home! Wholl find a better wife? I gave him a sonwhat more did he want?”
Rachel stroked Maxs back, soothing the boy each time he flinched at some shouted accusation about his father from his mother.
“Why are you fussing over him? Hell eat if hes hungry!” Susan reached for the boy, but Rachel gently stayed her hand.
“Susan, how about a cup of tea? No use working yourself up. Hes not worth it.”
Susan seized the opening and, for now, left Max alone.
For months, she floundered, unsure how to cope with the divorce and betrayal. All that time, Max lived with Rachel, who coaxed Susan to let the boy stay while she “sorted herself out”. Gradually, the child calmed down, sleeping through and beginning to smile for the first time in ages. Susan popped by a couple of times each week to “inspect”, before rushing off again, leaving Max with his ever-dependable aunt. When, at last, she announced she was leaving for London to find workclaiming she couldnt stand even living in the same town as her exno one was particularly surprised. At first, she stayed in touch, sending Max gifts on birthdays, but soon vanished altogether, informing Rachel shed remarried and was expecting another child.
Rachel found Maxs father, reassured him he was welcome to see his son, and arranged visiting timesoverruling Susan, who had forbidden her ex any contact. Slowly, Max and his father got used to time together, the boy delighted in visiting his new step-siblings, but lived happily with his aunt. A few times, Rachel took Max to London to see his mum but quickly realised the visits werent welcome, and stopped insisting.
Rachel put her own romantic life aside for good, focussing on her nephew. Football, cricket club, local Scouts, and music lessonsMax had every opportunity his aunt could offer. He called her “Mum Rachel”, and their bond was as fierce as blood.
Summers, they would stay with Pat in the countryside, or, when possible, head for the sea. Watching sun-bronzed, robust Max tearing about with village kids, Rachel found herself thinking of him as her own.
It was Rachel who worked to keep any contact with her siblingsher efforts always met with reluctance. They replied to birthdays and holidays, but rarely anything more. After Susan once snapped at her for bringing Max to visit at the “wrong time” for holidays, Rachel and Max stopped visitingkeeping to the occasional call or card.
Several years before Max finished secondary school, Rachel finally managed to trade in her tiny flat for a spacious three-bedroom on the edge of town. It was still in a quiet area, so Max didnt have to change schools. Together, they wandered through the empty new home, voices echoing as they chose rooms.
“Mum Rachel, are you happy?”
“Of course, darling. Ive got you, and thats the main thing.” She squeezed Maxs shoulders, nudging him along. “Go onpick your room. This ones sunny. That ones not. Your choice.”
Max finished school and, with his mother refusing to take him in, decided to stay in his hometown and study medicinehis childhood dream. Rachel scrimped and saved, hiring the best tutors she could afford; Max got in.
By his third year, Max introduced Rachel to his future wife.
“Mum Rachel, this is Alice.”
Rachel looked Alice up and down, hugged her tightly, and smiled.
“Lovely to meet you, love. Do you like cake? Ive made Victoria sponge.”
“Oh, I love it!”
“There we gowell always get along! Im a terrible sweet tooth.” Rachel grinned, and Alice’s nerves vanished.
Susan disapproved of her sons choice, and didnt hide it at the wedding.
“Shes got airs like royalty! Youll see, shell give you grief with that nature of hers!”
Rachel just shook her head, watching Max and Alice dance. She already knew Alice wellthis girl, volunteering at the care home twice a week, was little short of a saint, and no trouble at all. She loved Max, was steady, only stubborn about her work or studies. Rachel couldnt have asked for a better niece-in-law. They shared a kitchen and a home contentedly, seeing no need for petty quarrels.
A year later, when Alice handed Rachel her first grandchild, everyone rejoiced. Rachel adored the little one, and Alice, ignoring Susans endless “advice”, ran to Rachel with every question. This was much to Susans annoyance; she soon left in a huff, slamming the door and vowing never to set foot in Rachels home again.
But as it turned out, Susan didnt keep her promise for long, and she returned within weeks. With no explanation, she simply announced:
“Ill be living with you now.”
“What happened?” Rachel fussed, helping her settle in. “You argued? And the children?”
“Rachel, enough questions,” Susan sighed, dropping into an armchair. “Lets just leave it. We split up; the children stayed with him. Its their school, their lives there.”
Rachel shook her head and poured valerian into a glass, but Susan pushed it aside.
“You drink it. I dont need it. Wheres Max?”
“At uni. Alice took the baby to her mums for the afternoon.”
“Can’t sit still, can she? Always traipsing about with the child. Anyway, leave me be. I need a rest.”
From that day, peace vanished from Rachels flat. Susan unrelentingly criticised Max and Alice behind Rachels back, while Alice, knowing Rachels health was worsening, kept silent and never showed how exhausted she was. Rachel quickly worked out what was happening, one evening confronting Susan outright. By then, shed already learned that Susan herself had cheated on her husband, and that was why shed been thrown out. Her childrenmuch like Maxnever received anything from her but instructions and scolding. The money from the family flat had long since vanished, spent on Susans travels.
“So what do you plan now?” Rachel set out tea, sitting opposite her sister.
“I plan to live.”
“And where?”
“What do you mean? Are you going to throw me out?”
“Susan” Rachel searched for words to express herself kindly. “Im not throwing you out. Stay as long as you want, but things cant go on like this. I know you dont care for Alice, but shes Maxs wifethe mother of his child. What are you trying to achieve? That they split up?”
“Wouldnt matter if they did. Alice is nothing special. Max can get a better one.”
“No!” Rachel interruptedshocking Susan, who had always expected obedience from her. “Not happening, Susan. That isnt right.”
“Right or wrong, Rachel, what do you know about real life and families? Youve none of your own. I know what I see. Alice is only with Max for what she can get. When hes a top doctor, shell start putting her feet up.”
“Thats enough. Alice studies just as hard as Max. Shell be a doctor too. Maybe better,” said Rachel, exasperated, knocking over her tea cup and hastily wiping up the mess. “When have I ever been cross? Alice isnt the problem”
“Lets just end this,” Susan cut her off. “You worry about yourself, let me worry about me. Whats important is how were all going to fit in here.”
“Whats the problem? Youve got the biggest room.”
“But its a thoroughfarechildren everywhere! Cant even rest.”
“Hes a little boyhe needs space to run. Their room is tiny.”
“Let him go outside then.”
“Susan,” Rachel sighed, steeling herself. “If were all to live together, we need to be considerate”
“Of course, we do! Tell your precious Alice to mind her own child, and understand that where my son is, so am I. If anyones not happy, they can leave. All right?”
“And me?” Rachel smiledthis time without warmth.
“Dont get uppity, Rachel. Weve nothing to divide. I’m here to stay!” Susan stood and marched out, ending the debate.
The next day, returning from work, Rachel caught herself tipping salt into her coffee instead of sugarenough for Mrs. Patterson to notice. Spitting out the drink, she promptly got to the bottom of Rachels troubles. Rachel went home that day knowing shed have to put her foot down for the first time in her life.
Returning, she heard shouting from the hallwaySusan berating someone, the baby crying. Rachel entered to find Alice weeping, cradling her son, a shattered glass vase scattered across the lounge floor.
“What is going on here?” Rachels voice was so calm and sharp, Susan stopped mid-yell.
“Youre home already?”
“I asked a question. Is everything all right?” Rachel looked to Alice.
“Its nothing, Mum Rachel. Ill calm Sasha down and clear up.”
It was then Rachel noticed shards glittering on the floor.
“Oh my goodness! Did Sasha cut himself?” Rachel rushed over, Alice bursting into tears, clutching her son, and fleeing the room.
“Do you see what I mean? Shes totally incompetent! Id rather die than leave the child with her. Ill have him myselfand Max will have to see sense. This is for his own good!”
Rachel turned, face so thunderous Susan was startled.
“Youll pack your things and leave. I dont care where you go,” Rachels quiet, controlled words sent a shiver down Susans spine.
“What gives you the right? It’s Maxs decision, not yours. This is his home too!”
“What am I deciding?” Maxs voice cut in from the door, and in a heartbeat, he stood by Rachels side.
“Son, she wants to throw me out. You know Ive nowhere to go. You have to say something! Im your mother, the only family youve got!”
“Have you forgotten?” Max put his arm around Rachel, feeling her tremble. “This is my familyRachel, Alice, and Sasha. I barely saw you for years. Since you came back, theres been nothing but trouble. Enough. I agree with Rachelits time you moved on.”
“Wheres Alice?” Rachel asked softly, as Susan stood, gobsmacked.
“Settling Sasha. Ill go help.” Max kissed Rachel on the temple and left.
Rachel watched Susan, standing lost in the suddenly quiet room.
“Rachel, whats just happened? Whats he said?” Susans eyes filled with tears, but she fought them off. “You turned him against me! Sneaky as ever!”
“Susan,” Rachel sighed, exhausted. “When will you ever start listening to anyone but yourself? When will you realise there are other lives and other feelings besides your own?”
“I’m not you!” snapped Susan. “Why should I adjust for others? And wheres it got you?”
“And what about you?” Rachel looked her sister square in the eye. “Stay there, Ill fetch the broomand some slippers. Youll cut yourself.”
An hour later, Rachel saw Susan off at the stationshe had decided to go live with Alex. Back in the flat, Rachel slumped at the kitchen table, thinking she should make herself a sandwich before bedher stomach was complaining. But she could barely move. Shed never been one for confrontation.
Alice crept in, bustling about, warming up a stew and putting a bowl in front of Rachel, then sitting quietly across from her.
“Feeling better now?” Rachel tried a forkful. “Delicious! Thank you, my dearIm utterly spent. Tell me, what made you cry earlier?”
Alices eyes brimmed again as she took Rachels hand.
“It was the way you panicked for Sasha. I saw right then who his real grandma was, who really cared. He was so scared when the vase broke Sorry about that. Well replace it.”
“Oh leave it. Never mind the vasewas Sasha hurt? And you?”
“No, I grabbed him in time.”
“But how did it end up on the table? I thought Id put it away.”
“Susan said the child had no business in her room, and shed arrange things as she saw fit. I was shadowing Sasha all day but lost track for a moment” Alices cheeks flushed, and she lowered her eyes.
“What happened?” Rachel asked, wary.
“I felt so ill, I only just made it to the bathroom. He slipped out.”
“Youre not sick, are you?”
Alice shook her head. “Not exactly…”
“Well, out with it!” Rachel, for the first time that evening, smiled properly. “Are you expecting?”
Alice nodded, eyes meeting Rachels.
“And why the face? Thats wonderful news!”
“I thought you might be angry”
“When have you ever known me to be cross? Alice, come here!” Rachel hugged her. “Im thrilled, darling. Another grandchild running round, just imagine. Sasha will have companythe age gap isnt so big. Well manage the studies one way or another. Little details!”
Alice closed her eyes and leaned into Rachel, grateful beyond words that this was her mother-in-law, not Susan. Sleepy-eyed, Max poked his head in, gathering both women into a hug.
“Midnight council? Shouldnt you be in bed?”
“I was just going,” Rachel grinned. “And you? Youre up early tomorrow!”
“Double shift, then lecturesnothing new.”
“Bed, both of you! Max, youll be up with the breakfast alarm, Alice with Sasha, and well see which comes first!”
Rachel sent the pair off to bed, then paused at the window. Soft rain tapped the sill, lulling her to drowsiness. A few lights still flickered in the neighbours windows, but one by one, they faded. Behind each was a lifewith troubles and joys, each built of its own small happiness. And Rachels happiness now slept softly, threeand soon fourin the next room. She smiled, correcting herself: Not three, four!
She gazed at the lightening sky, squeezed Pats cross in her palm, and whispered,
“Watch over them. Please.”
Still smiling, she finally went to bed.
