The Poor Relation
A woman in a drab grey faux-fur coat stood on the doorstep, shivering slightly. Her face was vaguely familiar to Susan, but for the life of her, she couldnt recall exactly where shed seen it before.
Suze! The woman bellowed so loudly Susan nearly dropped her mug of tea. Dont tell me you dont remember me? Its me, Ginny! Ginny Milleryour fourth cousin! You know, we did that WhatsApp call ages ago. Dont you remember? Duh!
It was Susans mother who had forced her to ring Aunt Margaret. It was Margarets birthdayor, as Susans mother had dramatically announced, her big six-oh, and not phoning would, apparently, bring shame on the entire family tree. The fact Susan had never once laid eyes on Aunt Margaret in real life didnt seem to bother her mum in the slightest.
I used to go to the baths with her when I was a lass! Mum had insisted, as if Aunt Margaret had saved her life from diphtheria, wolves, or some other horror at least five times over. Shes practically my sister, you know!
Until recently, Susans mum hadnt been all that bothered about tracking down distant relatives, but since the pandemic, shed become obsessed with finding family online. She took to social media like a duck to water, dragging Susan along for the ride and forcing her to send birthday wishes to long-lost cousins she couldnt have picked out of a line-up. Ginnys face did ring a faint bellSusan remembered the thick, tattooed eyebrows, button nose, and the mischievous mole on her cheek.
Ah-ha, so you do remember! Ginny said, looking terribly pleased with herself as she squeezed past Susan, dragging two bulging carrier bags behind her. Ill crash at yours, then, yeah? Only Petuniashes Genka Rodwells second wifekicked the bucket last year, didnt she, and wouldnt you know, her lot nabbed the flat right quick.
Who Genka Rodwell was, Susan had no clue, and frankly, hospitality for distant relatives wasnt on her agenda that week, but Susan had never quite mastered the fine art of saying nonot to her mother, not to Ginny, not to anyone, really.
Weve only got two bedrooms, Susan mumbled, hoping for a miracle.
Well, theres only two of us, isnt there? Or have you found yourself a fella? Ginny smirked.
Unlike Susan, her mother communicated details of their private lives with all and sundry, so everyoneincluding Ginnyknew that Susans husband had left her. Whether they pitied her or secretly gloated, Susan couldnt say.
Ive still got a daughter, remember, Susan muttered, ignoring the pointed question about a fella.
She didnt mind the thought of companionshipits just, she wasnt cut out for mans work around the house. Truth be told, she missed a little warmth, some affection, someone to care for. Her daughter Holly had recently entered that bristly teenage phaseyou know the one: prickles out, emotions everywhere.
Count yourself lucky its just one girl! Ginny huffed, hanging her shoddy coat atop Susans puffa jacket. Ive got three boys, all mess and no help. Listen, you got owt in the fridge? My stomachs talking to itself, I skipped breakfastbad gallbladderand its a trek and a half to get here. Why not get a place near the Tube?
Houses near the Tube cost a fortune, Susan grumbled, leading Ginny into the kitchen.
Thankfully, last nights leftover vegetable soupHolly had refused to eat it, claiming her friends mum only ever made tom yum, and always had avocados in the fridgewas still there. Susan had googled tom yum, realised it was a faff, and settled on avocado as the healthy compromise.
Lovely soup! Ginny exclaimed, slurping eagerly. Could use a bit of garlic, mind you.
Susan almost reminded her about the dodgy gallbladder, but, as ever, she held her tongue.
So, you staying long? she asked feebly, bracing for Hollys reaction.
Not a clue, Ginny said cheerfully. Time will tell.
Holly predictably looked apoplectic when she learnt theyd gained a housemate.
Is this NECESSARY? Holly shrieked. Havent we got enough room in this place for the rest of the world’s poor relations? Why not invite the lot?
Holly, mind your manners! Susan sighed.
What? Im only asking!
Oi, watch your mouth, Ginny cut in. That your way of talking to your mum?
Ill speak how I like! Holly snapped back.
Susan cringed. She always found herself on the back foot when dealing with her daughter. The last time shed told her off, Holly had threatened to do something drastic, so Susan had whisked her off to see a counsellor. Afterwards, Holly declared Susan had no right to ever raise her voice at her. And she hadnt.
Youre too soft with her, Suze, Ginny declared that night, shaking her head as she clambered into the makeshift camp bed.
Susan liked working at the library; it was peaceful, filled with quiet people and, naturally, endless books. The pay was a pittance, but she made up the shortfall with translation jobsher English, after all, wasnt half-bad. Her ex-husband had always urged her to get into proper translation, but Susan preferred an orderly, quiet life. He, on the other hand, loved noisy parties and splashing cash. How theyd ever ended up together, let alone married for years, was a mystery. Holly took after her dad, even though hed wanted a sonhe now had two boys, and, suddenly, his daughter, once a carbon-copy, was surplus to requirements.
Sleep was impossible. Ginnys snoring was enough to rattle the window panesSusan finally drifted off at dawn, waking late to an empty fridge: no cheese, no ham, only a stale baguette for breakfast. Ginny and Holly had already vanished. Susan heaved a sigh and left for work.
Ginny never gave details about her outings. Shed return in the afternoon, flop on the camp bed, scroll on her phone, and ring her people back in the village, bellowing and cackling about the extended family. Occasionally shed show off one of her sons over a video call:
Youre not seeing the pig, she once declared.
It took Susan a week to realise Ginny meant her husband.
Holly was, of course, in open revoltsnapping at everyone, lambasting Ginnys fashion sense, and telling her mates the flat was being annexed by down-on-their-luck relatives. Ginny told Susan she spoiled her daughter, complimented her cooking, but never lifted a finger to buy groceries or do chores. She even blocked the bath plughole. The local plumber was clearly on a bender, so Susan resorted to scrolling Gumtree.
The chap who showed up was nothing like her library clientele: rude, booming, and peppering his sentences with words that made Susan blush to the roots. But at least he fixed the tap and wouldnt take a penny.
Cant charge a beautiful woman, can I? he winked. Not for a quick fix. You got a dog or something? There was a clump of hair the size of a badger in there!
Susan glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting Ginny to appear, but she was alone. Her cheeks burnedsurely Ginny was more this mans type, not herself: upstanding, respectable Susan!
Well, thats good, saved a few quid, Ginny cheered. How about we get some cake in? Celebrate?
Susan nearly blurted out, What, your leaving? but bit her tongue. She wasnt about to stoop to that.
All right, she agreed. Cake it is.
She couldnt afford the fancy patisserie, so picked up a supermarket Napoleon. Holly, as expected, grimaced and binned her portion.
Thats just a sugar grenade, she sniffed.
Ginny, halfway through her second hefty slice, peered up and said, Did you earn the money for that just to chuck it? There are people starvin, and youre acting spoilt!
Not your business!
It IS my business! No lads ever going to want a mouthy girl! Blokes like demure, polite, sweet onesnot a little terrier, yapping all day.
Holly shot Susan a look, clearly expecting her usual support, but Susan was too exhausted to do anything but shovel cake into her mouth and pretend not to notice the fireworks. Holly burst into tears and stormed out. Susan knew shed have to go after her, just in case…
Leave her! Ginny barked. Youve let that girl get away with murder!
You cant say that, protested Susan. What ifwhat if she actually does something?
Oh, she loves herself too much for that. Spends more time in the mirror than the Queen. And youyou run round after her, wiping her tears, youll lose her for good. What that girl needs is a bit of tough love.
Something about Ginnys words made uncomfortable sense. But Susan couldnt quite bring herself to agree.
Dont look at me like Im a loony cow, Suze! Stand up for yourself. Shes sixteen and she does sod-all around the house. I show up unannounced, and you dont even tell me to buy groceries or chip in for billsyou just put up with it. Is that any way to live, honestly? Youre too much of a doormat!
Susan first felt irritation, then tears. But before she could make up her mind, Holly stormed back in and lashed out at Ginny.
Dont you DARE insult my mum! You hear me?
While Susan scrambled to get involved, the drama fizzled out. Holly let go, and there, in her fist, was a tuft of Ginnys hair.
I didnt mean to, she stammered, terrified.
Ginny gently took her hair back, popped it in the bin, and said, Its all right. Not your fault at all.
Susan and Holly gawked at Ginny, utterly lost, as Ginny sank into a chair.
Its the chemo. Thats why I came here. Treatment. Bit of a laugh, isnt it? They say you lose your appetite, but all I do is eat. The hair loss, thoughthat bit they werent lying about
Susan had never felt so mortified in her life. How was she to know? But oh, the shame, nonetheless.
The storm died instantly. Holly retreated to her room; Susan did the washing-up.
Dont fret so much, Ginny said. Im all right, really.
Next morning, Holly was up first and made avocado toast for Ginnynever let it be said Susans shopping was wasted.
Here, thisll do you good. I looked it up, Holly said.
By the time Susan returned from work that evening, Ginny was showing Holly how to use curling tongs. Why on earth shed bother bringing tongs when she knew shed lose her hair, Susan couldnt imagine, but Holly was delighted.
Its even better than a Dyson Airwrap! Holly squealed.
When the drain clogged up again three days later, Susan didnt bother getting worked upshe rang up that Tony from last time. He again refused any money, but angled for a bowl of soup instead. Susan served fish stewGinnys appetite had finally flagged, and Holly managed two valiant spoonfuls, as part of her new healthy life, before surrendering to the fishy onslaught. Tony regaled them with bizarre stories about Romany people and their pet bear in the bath.
A week later, Ginny announced she was heading home. By then, Holly could not only do her hair, but work the washing machine, hoover, and even wash up. She made a chia and mango pudding, which Susan and Ginny pretended to enjoy.
I left you a bit of hair, Ginny confided as Holly basked in the praise and vanished to do homework.
What for? Susan frowned.
For the drain, when you want Tony round again. And please, enough with the fish stewthis isnt a wake. Make that veggie soup, get in some bacon, and for heavens sake, burn those nun skirts and put on something with a bit of life!
Why should I? Susan spluttered.
Oh please, you and Tony were eyeing each other like lovesick teenagers. Dont let the man get awayI checked: he doesnt drink, likes your cooking, what more do you want? Anyway, no tearsIll be back in May for my check-up. Holly can practise her hair skills again, so long as that spare rooms no longer spare
Ginny never came in May. In April, all threeSusan, Holly, and Tonytravelled to the funeral. Ginnys sons, all carbon copies of each other, sniffled in perfect harmony. The eldest, a lad called Tom, kept sneaking glances at Holly, who blushed and twirled her curls every time she caught him looking. When Susan scolded her about getting dolled up for a funeral rather than a wedding, Holly snapped back:
You think Aunt Ginny wants us all miserable and sloppy? Shed want me to use those tongs, you know!
Ginnys husbandturns out, not a pig at allsidled up to Susan and said, Our Tom finishes school this summerthinking of uni. Any chance he could stay at yours, till he gets his accommodation?
And for once, Susan remembered Ginnys advice about standing up for herself.
Of course, she said. Hes welcome to come.But youll have to tell him to buy his own avocados, she added, smiling.
Tom grinnedso like Ginny that it made something twist inside Susan, aching and fond all at once. Holly flashed Susan a fleeting, conspiratorial look, as if to say, See? Not so hard, is it? Tony squeezed Susans hand, warm and steady, the pressure speaking volumes without a word.
As the service ended and people began to file out under a cold, bright sun, Susan reached for Hollys shoulder. For the first time in months, her daughter didnt shrug her off. Instead, she leaned in, pressing her forehead briefly to Susans in the way she hadnt since childhood.
Come on, Mum, Holly whispered. Lets go home. Weve got family to look after.
And Susan realised, with a start, that every chaotic arrival and messy meal, every slammed door and clogged drain, had become part of a new, unruly foundationone not built of perfect silence or spotless rooms, but laughter, lessons, and the untidy love that grew from opening her door and, finally, herself.
She looked down at her simple dress, already spotted with a bit of soup, and thought for once, she really ought to buy something bright. Maybe red. Or violet. Something Aunt Ginny would have laughed at and called proper.
Arm in arm, the three of them walked out togethertoward the car, toward whatever came next, toward home.
