Emily, why are you starting up again? I just rang to ask how youre getting on, and youve already raised your voice!
Why do you always have a go at me? I honestly dont want to fight with you! Her sister-in-laws voice quivered on the phone, trembling with the effort of barely choked-back tears.
Emily froze in her kitchen, clutching a knife over a tomato. She blinked, struggling to digest what shed just heard.
Sophie, hang on… What do you mean, raised my voice? Ive barely said a word! I only answered the phone. What are you talking about?
No, this is exactly what youre doing! Trying to wind me up. You want a row, but I dont! Please, just stop attacking me, its all been too much.
Whos attacking you? Emily put down the knife and wedged the phone between her shoulder and her ear. Weve only been on the phone for three seconds! You called, I answered hello. End of story!
There you go again… Why are you always at me? Sophie repeated, in the same self-pitying tone. I just want some peace in the family, Emily.
Why are you always so spiteful? I cant take it any longer. My hands wont stop shaking.
Emily was staggered.
Lately, her sister-in-law had been acting oddly phoning up and playing some mysterious part for an unknown audience. Just a month ago things were completely different…
For five whole years ever since she and Peter had started going out as teens Emily was convinced shed hit the jackpot with her mother-in-law.
Moira always made her homemade Bakewell tarts, gifted her cheerful scarves for Christmas and called her love at the slightest chance.
Theyd happily sit for hours together on the patio at the familys cottage, discussing cucumbers and tomato seedlings or swapping pickling recipes.
Emily felt sure that soon she wouldnt just have a husband shed have a whole extra family.
Everything changed in a single day. On her wedding day.
The celebration had been grand, lively, held in some rambling country manor.
Swishing about in lace, Emily felt completely blissful until she caught Moiras expression.
Her mother-in-law hadnt smiled once during the ring exchange, sitting at the table with the face of someone at a funeral, not her only sons wedding.
The next morning, as everyone milled about the kitchen for breakfast, Moira didnt so much as glance at her new daughter-in-law.
Peter, eggs? she asked her son, acting as if Emily, sitting right beside him, was entirely invisible. Fried or scrambled, pet?
Mum, Emilyll have some as well, Peter replied, glancing between the two of them.
I asked you, not her, Moira snapped. Im off. Got a headache from all your racket.
She slammed out, nearly taking the door off its hinges.
Emily chalked it up to nerves and exhaustion after all, weddings are stressful.
But the coldness only deepened with each passing day.
Moira stopped replying to calls, and if she did answer, her responses were clipped and icy.
Even Peter, not normally a target for her wrath, found himself snapped at mid-sentence and subjected to cryptic warnings about how thingsll look different in a years time.
***
An hour after that bizarre conversation, Emily decided this simply couldnt go on. She needed to get clarity on what Sophie was playing at, so she called her number.
Hello, Sophie? Can we actually talk like normal people? Ive got no clue what just happened…
Why do you keep ringing?! came Moiras shrill, indignant voice. Leave her alone! Havent you caused her enough misery?
Moira? What are you doing there?
I came to support my daughter! Moira practically spluttered with rage. Shes sat here sobbing her heart out, shaking all over!
What do you think youre doing, sweeping into our family and bossing everyone about?
Leave Sophie alone, you sneaky little viper!
I havent said a single nasty word to her! Emily shot back, her voice strangled with the effort of not screaming. Shes the one who rang me, babbling something about a row!
Liar! Youre nothing but a liar! My Sophie would never lie shes a well brought up girl, she is!
And you well, you showed your true colours the moment you put those rings on.
Thats it! Dont call again. And dont go moaning to Peter. Ill tell him everything myself!
Click. Dial tone.
Emily sat down on the sofa with a thump, staring into space.
What on earth was going on?!
Ten minutes later her phone beeped message from Sophie.
Listen here Did you really think youre clever? You bagged Peter and swan about like youre the Queen now?
Mum cant stand you, and Ill do everything I can to make sure he ditches you.
Youre nobody. Just the latest girl Peter fancied for five seconds, and the idiot actually let you drag him to the altar.
Youll never come between me and mum were his real family! You could vanish tomorrow and hed kick you out on your ear.
Keep out of our way, or youll regret it. I promise, well make your life hell.
Emily read the message three times, her ears burning and suddenly felt a wash of righteous fury.
Not a chance, sweetheart. Therell be no trudging out into the snow for me.
She rattled out a reply with a steady hand:
Sophie, I get it. Go take a flying leap. You know exactly where.
Hit send. Strangely liberating. At last, the root of all the nonsense was plain to see.
***
All evening Emily was fit for nothing. She found herself washing already clean dishes, dabbling at her laptop, wandering restlessly from room to room.
She was waiting for Peter to get home. There was going to be a reckoning.
The moment he was through the door he started the interrogation:
Em, whats going on between you and my family? Mums been on the phone sobbing, barely coherent says you upset Sophie so much she had a breakdown
Emily joined him in the hallway.
And you believe her?
Peter, toes poking out his shoes, grumbled:
I honestly dont know what to think. Mums spitting feathers, Sophies not answering her phone apparently shes had some nervous collapse.
Things were absolutely fine for five years! Why now, just after the wedding, is it all bedlam?
Because after the wedding I became a threat to them, Peter, Emily replied calmly. Come here for a sec.
Why?
Just look at this.
She handed him her phone, message thread open. Peter scrolled through it in silence. At last he asked:
Sophie wrote all this? He jabbed the screen.
Herself. Right after your mum screamed at me down the line and banned her from calling me.
Check the timestamps, Peter. Sophie was typing those delightful things at the exact same moment your mum was supposedly comforting her little darling.
Peter had no time to respond before his phone buzzed Sophie calling.
Answer it and put her on speaker. I insist, said Emily with a raised eyebrow.
Peter nodded obligingly.
Petey… Sophies voice oozed from the phone, pitiful and sniffly. Did you talk to her?
She… she sent me horrible messages, Peter! Your only sister!
All I wanted was peace and she…
She broke off, weeping extravagantly it sounded like she was auditioning for a West End tragedy.
Sophie, Peter said evenly. What exactly did you text Emily first?
Nothing! Sophie wailed. I told her I loved her and I wanted us to be a proper family!
Then she… she told me I was scum and to disappear from your life!
Honestly, Peter, Mums in bits! Shes probably having a heart attack!
Funny, Peter shot his wife a look. Thats not what I read. I saw something about temporary slags and chucking Emily on the streets.
When did you have time to compose all that? While Mum was busy having a collapse?
There was an uncomfortable silence.
Shes making it all up! Sophies voice changed instantly, the mask slipping. Peter, who are you going to believe, some bird or your own flesh and blood?
Think about whos always been there for you!
Sophie, weve seen each other three times at Christmas over the last three years, Peter said bluntly. What kind of always is that?
Oh, so thats how it is, is it? Sophie, realising the guilt act wasnt working, switched to attack mode. She means more than us? Youd take her side?
Peter, pull yourself together! Youll have dozens like her! Young, daft, only with you for the house! But youve only one sister me!
Now youre giving me an ultimatum? Peter asked.
Yes! Sophie shrieked. Its me and Mum or her! Choose, right now!
If you stay with her, dont ever come back! Mumll cut you off! Ill explain everything to her, she trusts me!
Make your choice: your one and only sister or that thing!
Peter closed his eyes for a moment. Emily held her breath. She knew Peters hatred of being hemmed in. Ultimatums were the quickest way to make him bulldoze all the walls of expectation.
You know what, Sophie, he said quietly. Youve just written yourself out of my life. And youre dragging Mum with you.
If she wants to play your little games, thats her lookout. But I dont do ultimatums. Not ever. From anyone.
Peter, youre mad! Giving up your family for some tart? Sophie shrieked, all pretence gone.
The tart, as you put it, is my wife. For five years shes never badmouthed you, despite your best efforts.
Thats it, Soph, the performance is over. Dont ring me again. Tell Mum herself: if she wants a relationship with her son, shell have to respect his choices. On her own. No more of your puppet-mastery.
He ended the call and threw the phone onto the shelf with the keys. Emily came over and gently hugged him.
Peter she began, but he interrupted.
No, Em, dont. None of this is your fault. I shouldve seen Mum was wound up, but I thought shed cool off.
Didnt want to think Sophie would stoop so low. Youll have dozens like her what a load of rubbish
Shes just scared youll move on without her, Emily said softly.
She already lost me, Peter shrugged. Come on, lets have something to eat. All this melodramas made me starving.
Emily fed her husband, then they sprawled together in front of the telly. Peter carried on as if nothing had happened.
***
An hour later, Peters phone pinged again. A message from Mum.
Peter, darling, Sophies told me everything. How could you? Weve always loved you…
Peter grimaced and put the phone face-down on the table.
Shall we go see them? Emily ventured. Speak in person?
No, Peter shook his head. Not now. Lets give them some space, let them stew over what they actually want.
Whatever they say, Im not leaving you. Let them gossip! Ive run round after them for years, like some prize-winning sheepdog. Im done!
Its all a bit uncomfortable, though, Emily murmured. I keep feeling as if its my fault
Peter gave her a bear hug:
Dont be daft, Em. Theyll get over it. Things cant always go the way they want.
Ive no idea why Sophie and Mum think I owe them obedience!
Dont let it get to you. Just forget about it.
Emily nestled into his side. She realised, for certain, she hadnt made a mistake with him.
***
Moira and Sophie opted to take a break not a single olive branch was proffered. Every so often Peter would get a text from his mum or sister, but he ignored them.
Emily relaxed, letting things work themselves out. Her husband was a level-headed bloke he knew exactly how to handle cheeky relatives.
