“Mum, did you make the cordial?” asked Emily as she stepped into the kitchen where her mother stood. The sweet scent filled the entire flat.
“I did, love,” smiled Margaret, stirring the pot. “Blackcurrant. I know how fond you are of it.”
Emily wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulders and peered into the saucepan. The dark berries floated in rich, purple syrup, releasing the familiar aroma of childhood.
“Will Charlotte be round today?” she asked, taking a seat at the table.
“She promised to stop by for lunch. Said she had something important to discuss.”
Margaret poured the cordial into glasses and nudged one toward her daughter.
“Try it, isnt it too sweet?”
Emily took a sip and shook her head.
“Just right. Like I remember from when I was little.”
Her mother sat opposite, studying her carefully.
“Emily, havent you noticed Charlottes been acting strange lately? She used to call every day, now she goes weeks without a word.”
“Mum, shes got work, the children. She hasnt time for long chats.”
“Perhaps. But somethings not right. Yesterday I saw her near the shop and said hello, but she looked right through me.”
Emily frowned. Her sister had indeed grown distant these past monthsrarely replying to messages, sitting quietly at family gatherings, always the first to leave.
“Maybe shes got troubles,” Emily suggested. “Ill speak to her.”
The doorbell cut their conversation short. Margaret hurried to answer.
“Charlotte! How lovely to see you!” came her delighted voice from the hall.
“Hello, Mum,” came Charlottes flat reply.
Emily heard footsteps and then her sisters tense figure in the kitchen doorway. Charlottes lips were pressed into a thin line.
“Hello, Charlotte,” Emily greeted her. “Sit down, Mum made cordial.”
“No, thank you,” Charlotte said sharply, remaining on her feet.
Margaret gave her younger daughter a puzzled look.
“Darling, whats the matter? You seem”
“Its nothing,” Charlotte interrupted. “I need to talk to Emily. Alone.”
Emily raised her eyebrows. Shed never heard such a tone from her sister before.
“Mum, maybe give us a moment?” she asked.
Margaret nodded and left the kitchen, casting an anxious glance at her daughters.
Charlotte stepped closer but didnt sit.
“Right then,” she began coldly. “Enough pretending youre some saint.”
“What are you on about?” Emily asked, bewildered.
“Your little secrets. Did you think I wouldnt find out?”
A chill ran down Emilys spine. Her mind raced, but she couldnt piece it together.
“Charlotte, explain properly. Whats happened?”
“Remember James, do you?” Bitterness seeped into Charlottes voice.
Emily froze. JamesCharlottes husband. There had been an unpleasant incident six months prior, but shed thought no one knew.
“What exactly do you mean?” she asked cautiously.
“Dont play the fool! I know everythingyour little café meetings, how you comforted my husband when we were having troubles. How you hugged him in the car park.”
Charlotte pulled out her mobile and showed Emily several photos. There they wereEmily and James sitting in a café, deep in conversation, and in one, embracing.
“Charlotte, its not what you think”
“Oh, isnt it?” Charlotte sneered. “Then what? Care to explain why my own sister was sneaking about with my husband?”
Emily sighed heavily. Shed known this conversation would come someday but had hoped to avoid it.
“James came to me for advice,” she began. “He said you were arguing, that you wanted a divorce. He didnt know what to do.”
“And you decided to help?” Charlottes voice grew sharper. “What a devoted sister-in-law!”
“Charlotte, he was desperate! Said he loved you, didnt want to lose the family. I only tried to understand and give advice.”
“Understand?” Charlotte finally sat, her posture rigid. “Why come to you and not his mates? Or his own mother?”
Emily realised the trap. Why had James come to her, indeed?
“I dont know. Maybe because Im your sisterId know your side better.”
“Liar!” Charlotte exploded. “He came to you because youve always been too eager to listen! Even when we were just dating, you paid him too much attention!”
“Charlotte, thats ridiculous. Ive nothing to hide. Yes, we met a few times. Yes, I hugged himhe was in tears. But there was nothing between us!”
“Then suddenly he changed his mind about the divorce,” Charlotte pressed on, ignoring her. “Started saying we must save the marriage. I thought it was his own realisation. Turns out it was your doing!”
Emily stood and moved toward her sister.
“Charlotte, I know youre upset. But I only wanted to help. It hurt seeing you both suffer.”
“Help?” Charlotte recoiled. “You decided for me whether my marriage should continue! You meddled in my life without my say!”
“But you didnt divorce! Youre managing now, arent you?”
“And how would you know how were managing?” Angry tears welled in Charlottes eyes. “You think because were still married, everythings fine?”
Emily knew shed misspoken.
“Charlotte, I”
“Just shut it!” Charlotte shouted. “Youve no idea what Ive been through! Now, every time we argue, James says, Your sister thinks we should stay together. That clever Emily explained how important family is!”
Emily sank into her chair. The scale of the disaster dawned on her.
“He quotes you constantly,” Charlotte went on, voice cracking. “Says youre right, that Im selfish, only thinking of myself. I feel guilty in my own home!”
“Charlotte, I never called you selfish”
“What did you say, then? Tell me more about your cosy little chats!”
Emily saw no way out. Whatever she said would be wrong.
“I said you loved each other. That you had children, a life together. That you shouldnt throw it away over a rough patch.”
“A rough patch?” Charlotte shot up. “You know he cheated on me? That I found messages with his ex? And you call that a rough patch?”
Emilys stomach dropped. James hadnt mentioned infidelityonly arguments and misunderstandings.
“Charlotte, I didnt know”
“Course you didnt! But you doled out advice anyway! Now Im stuck with a man who betrayed me because my brilliant sister convinced him we must save the family!”
Margaret appeared in the doorway, pale.
“Girls, whats all this shouting? The neighbours will hear.”
“None of your business, Mum!” Charlotte snapped.
“Charlotte!” Margaret gasped. “How can you speak to me like that?”
Charlotte turned, and Emily saw such anguish in her eyes that her own heart clenched.
“How should I, then?” Charlotte demanded. “Smile politely and pretend alls well? Like my wonderful family taught me?”
“Charlotte, leave Mum out of this,” Emily cut in. “This is between us.”
“Its all connected! Youve all decided whats best for me! Mum always said I was too stubborn, that I should listen more. And you took up the chorus!”
Margaret looked helplessly between them.
“I dont understand. Whats happened?”
“Whats happened, Mum, is that your eldest has been meeting my husband behind my back, advising him on our marriage,” Charlotte said icily.
Margaret gasped, staring at Emily.
“Emily, is this true?”
“Mum, its not how it”
“Its exactly how it is!” Charlotte cut in. “And now Im meant to thank dear sister for saving my marriage? For trapping me with a cheat because family matters?”
Emily stood, reaching for Charlotte, but she stepped back.
“Charlotte, lets talk properly. Ill explain.”
“I dont want your explanations,” Charlotte said flatly. “Just know thisfrom today, youre nothing to me.”
Silence fell. Even Margaret was struck speechless.
“Charlotte, dont be ridiculous,” their mother tried. “Youre sisters.”
“Were sisters,” Charlotte corrected. “Now I want nothing to do with her.”
She began tapping furiously at her phone.
“What are you doing?” Emily asked.
“Deleting you. Everywheresocials, messages, everything. I never want to see your name again.”
“Charlotte, stop this!” Emily cried. “Whats the point?”
Charlottes eyes burned.
“The point? You interfered in my life, made me stay with a man I despise, and you ask the point?”
“No one made you! You chose”
“Influenced by your meddling! James parrots your words dailyEmily says this, Emily says that. I felt guilty for wanting out!”
Margaret sank onto a
