My daughter is ever so clever! boasted Margaret to the ladies next door. She passed all her exams with top marks! Even manages to work part-time, never takes a penny off us!
I envy you, Margaret! My two only seem to know how to ask for money, sighed another woman. Neither of them wants to study. Emily just says she plans to get married straight after college, reckons her husband should provide for her. And my son well! The neighbour waved her hand, clearly disappointed in her children. But your Sophie is brilliant, proper head on her shoulders.
Yeah, right, I muttered quietly, keeping a few steps away from the gossiping mums. Id have happily headed home, but Mum still hadnt finished traipsing around the shops. With Dad working late, I held the prestigious title of Official Bag Carrier for the day. If only she knew what my dear sister was actually up to in London, shed keep quiet. And not boast about her, for certain.
Did you say something? Mum glared at me, catching that Id grumbled. Couldnt she go five minutes without chatting? Shed barely started doling out Sophies achievements.
Yes, Mum, I did. Ive got a presentation to make and an essay due for tomorrow. Maybe we could save the boasting for another day? I replied calmly.
Youre just like your father! Never let anyone have a nice conversation. Oh, come onlets get on
I just shrugged, noting the look of relief on our neighbours faces. You could tell they already regretted bumping into the proud mother. Margaret never missed an opportunity to wax lyrical about her daughter, always in that tone which made Sophie sound like the ultimate role model and the answer to every parents prayers.
But I knew the truth. I kept quiet, thoughI didnt want Mum worrying
***
Does Sophie Hamilton live here? The womans disdainful look caught Margaret off-guard, and the two men standing behind her didnt exactly help matters.
My daughter lives in London now. Shes at university there, Mum replied proudly. Why are you asking?
At university? Are you serious? Thats a laugh, scoffed the visitor. She got chucked out after first term. Failed every examand no wonder, she was much more interested in chasing after men than in her lectures.
How dare you slander my daughter! I should sue you for defamation! Margaret heard a commotion at the neighbours, and faltered. Invite this insolent woman inside and acknowledge she might have a point? But what if she refused? Lord only knows what tales the woman would tell. People will gossip for the fun of it, truth or lies.
Let them in, I said, cutting through Mums indecision. No point giving anyone more reason to talk. Mum, let them through.
But James!
Let them in.
Right then, I felt rather older than my sixteen years. For a moment, I was deadly seriousjust a touch nervous, if Im honest. I guided the guests into the lounge, gesturing towards the settee. The woman smiled coldly and took the armchair. The men remained standing.
James! How could you invite them in after what she said about Sophie?
I heard. Thats why I let them in, Mum, I answered, annoyed. With Dad away on business, being the man of the house fell to me. My job was to limit the damage.
You must know your sister better than most, the visiting woman said, mocking. Any idea where she is these days?
In London, youre not wrong there. But shes certainly not living in halls, I answered, awkward grin on my face. Shes shacked up in a flatone her fella is paying for. I dont know the address. But what I do know is this mans married, old enough to be her father, and has three grown-up children. Rich as Croesus, too.
His name isnt George by any chance?
Let me guess, youre his wife? My stomach clenched. Whats Sophie gotten herself mixed up in nowto have them turning up here?
Thank God, no. Im his sister, fed up with Georges nonsense, she replied coolly. Hes got a wonderful wifethe daughter of our main business partner, actuallyand shes had it up to here with strange women hanging round her husband. Wouldnt be surprised if she divorces him any day.
And that would be a disaster, I take it?
Sharp lad, arent you? the woman purred. Got any clue where your incorrigible sister is right now?
Not mebut her friend might. I can contact her, but first you can tell me what you actually intend to do. Shes my only sister, you know.
Whats all this, James? Whos George? What flat? Whats happened to Sophie? Mums face was drawn with worry. I rushed to the bathroom, knowing exactly where she kept her pills.
Shall I call a doctor? said the woman, suddenly a shade more human.
I waved her away. Of course I already hadwhen I dashed for the medicine Id rung Dr Jenkins, the kindest lady on the estate, who promised shed be round in five minutes. She must have been near.
James how do you know all this? Mum croaked, disbelief etched on her face. Her daughtersomeones mistress How could she bear to admit it?
Remember last time Sophie visited and her phone was busted? She borrowed my laptop to message her mate, and forgot to log out. I read the lot. I confronted her after. She didnt even try to deny it. Just begged me not to tell you.
I felt truly sorry for Mum. Shes one of the sweetest, kindest women you could meetthe only flaw being that knack for bragging about her childrens triumphs. I always blush when she starts parading my certificates and medals to all and sundry.
Later, when the doctor had settled Margaret in and was watching her, I returned to the living room, still anxious to know what this woman had in mind for Sophie.
So what exactly do you plan to do? I asked.
Not much. Ill give her some money and introduce her to a few peoplemost important, single men. If she’s sensible, she might just marry successfully, the woman replied, matter-of-fact.
Fine, Ill sort it, I sighed, dreading the coming phone call. Sophies friend washot-headed and sly. Id have to pull some stringsmaybe use the excuse that Sophie had nailed her exams and her big brother wanted to buy her a present, but needed a courier since we lived so far away.
Here you go, I handed the woman a slip of paper. Hope you stick to your word.
I will, dont worry.
As they reached the hallway, she said, loudly enough for the neighbours to hear, Sorry to have upset youI just needed a private chat with no nosy ears listening in. Im sure therell be no nasty rumours. If there are, Ill apologise to Sophie in person. But something tells me youve got decent neighbours here, who dont gossip.
Rumours did fly, of course, but they died out quickly. Margaret squashed them at every turn and pleaded with people not to blacken her daughters good name. She boasted less now, hardly left the house at all.
I had a long talk with Dad, and together we decidedbest for all to move. Mum was too embarrassed to look the neighbours in the eye after all that time spent telling things that turned out to be untrue.
So, one fine morning, we packed up and went. I told the curious women from over the fence that we were moving to London, closer to Sophie. Better doctors, you see, with Mums health being tricky of late.
Sophie never came home again. She managed to marry well, and never looked back at her family, not once.
