We werent expecting you,» said her sister, shutting the door.
«Mum passed away three days ago, and you’re only just showing up now!» The voice on the other end of the line trembled with barely contained fury.
Emma pressed the phone between her ear and shoulder, wrestling with her heavy suitcase while fumbling for her car keys. The rain grew heavier, drumming against the station canopy.
«Sophie, I explainedI was on assignment in Scotland, there was no signal. I flew back as soon as I heard.»
«Work was more important than Mum?»
«Dont start. Im coming. Ill be there in an hour.»
The line went dead. Emma slid into the rental car and sat motionless for a moment, staring at the rain-blurred city lights through the windscreen. Her hometownthe one shed left fifteen years ago at twenty-five, full of ambition, determined to conquer London. Mum had cried, Dad had stayed silent, and Sophieher little sisterhad screamed that she was a traitor.
The drive took longer than expected. The town had changednew estates, shopping centres, roundabouts. But the closer she got to the old centre, the more familiar the streets became. There was the bakery where she and Sophie used to buy warm scones. The school, its paint peeling. And finally, their streetquiet, with little front gardens and benches by the front doors.
The family house stood at the end of a cul-de-sac. A two-storey with an attic, once white, now grey with age. Light spilled from the windows, silhouettes moving behind the curtains. Emma parked at the gate, grabbed her bag, and took a deep breath.
The side gate was unlocked. Under the awning in the garden, tables were set with white cloths. The wake. A small group stood by the porch, smoking, murmuring. They fell silent when they saw her.
«Hello,» she said.
No one answered. Auntie Jean, Mums best friend, turned away. Uncle Mike, the neighbour, shook his head. Emma walked past them, climbed the porch steps, and pulled the door.
Locked.
She rang the bell. Footsteps, then the click of the latch. Sophie appeared in the doorwayolder now, bitter lines around her mouth, dressed in black.
«We werent expecting you,» she said, and shut the door.
Emma stood there, stunned. Behind her, the smokers whispered. She rang again. Silence. Knocked.
«Sophie! Sophie, open up! This is ridiculous!»
The door opened a crack, the chain still on.
«Just go,» Sophie said. «You dont belong here.»
«I came to say goodbye to Mum!»
«Youre too late. We buried her yesterday.»
«But you said she died three days ago!»
«So what? Thought youd make it in time? Fifteen years youve been gone, and suddenly youre in a rush?»
«Sophie, let me in. Lets talk properly.»
«Properly? Like when Dad died and you couldnt even be bothered to come home?»
«I was in Kenya! On a research trip! No signal!»
«Always an excuse. Kenya, the Arctic, work trips. Meanwhile, Mum and I were here. She was ill for three years, Emma. Three years! Where were you?»
Emma said nothing. Shed known Mum was sick. Called, sent money for treatment. But coming home Something always got in the way. Work, projects, deadlines.
«I sent money.»
«Money?» Sophie laughed bitterly. «She didnt need your cheques, Emma. She needed you. Her daughter. But you chose your career.»
«Thats not fair.»
«Whats not fair? That I quit my job to care for her? That my husband left because I was at the hospital more than home? That my son barely knows me because I was always with Gran?»
The door slammed. Emma walked down the steps and sat on the garden bench. The rain had stopped, but droplets still fell from the trees. Inside, voices murmured, cutlery clinked.
«Emma?»
She turned. A woman in her forties stood nearby.
«Im Sarah, from next door. We moved in five years ago. Your mum talked about you all the time.»
«Really?»
«She was so proud. Said her daughter was a scientist, travelling the world, writing papers. Shed show us newspaper clippings.»
Emmas eyes stung.
«Did she mention I abandoned her?»
«You didnt abandon anyone. Life just takes people different ways. Margaret understood that.»
«Sophie doesnt.»
«Sophies angry. Shes had it hard. But that doesnt mean shes right.»
Sarah sat beside her.
«Your mum left a letter for you. Gave it to me, asked me to pass it on if you came.»
«A letter?»
Sarah handed her an envelope. In Mums familiar handwriting, it read: «For Emmy.»
«Thank you.» Emmas hands shook as she took it.
Sarah left. Emma sat there, clutching the letter. Too scared to open it. Eventually, she stood, walked to the car. Just then, an elderly man stepped outUncle Geoff, Mums brother.
«Emma! You made it.»
«Uncle Geoff.» She hugged him. «At least someones happy to see me.»
«Of course I am. Come inside.»
«Sophie wont let me in.»
«Rubbish. This is your home too.»
He took her hand, led her to the porch, and unlocked the door.
«Sophie!» he called. «Emmas here.»
Sophie emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
«Uncle Geoff, I told you»
«No, you didnt. Emma has every right to be here. This was her home too.»
«She left us!»
«Enough, Sophie. Margaret wouldnt have wanted this.»
«How do you know what Mum wanted?»
«Because I sat with her at the end. She talked about Emma constantly. Asked me to forgive her if she didnt make it back in time.»
Sophie leaned against the wall, covering her face.
«Its not fair. I did everything for her, and all she talked about was Emma.»
«She loved you both,» Uncle Geoff said gently. «Just differently. You were here. Emma wasnt. You worry more about the ones who arent close.»
Inside, the wake was winding down. Relatives, neighbours, Mums friendsall fell silent when Emma entered.
«Hello,» she said.
Some nodded. Others looked away. Auntie Louise, Dads sister, stood and came over.
«Emmy, Im so sorry. Your mum was a wonderful woman.»
«Thank you, Auntie Louise.»
Gradually, others offered condolences. Only Sophie stayed in the corner, arms crossed.
«Sit, eat,» Auntie Jean said, setting a plate before her. «You must be starving.»
«Not hungry.»
«Eat. Your mum wouldve wanted you to.»
Emma picked up a spoon, tasted the soup. Mums recipe. A lump rose in her throat.
«Tell us about your work,» Uncle Geoff said. «Margaret said youre at the university now?»
«Marine biology. Studying ocean ecosystems.»
«Still travelling?»
«Needs must. Conferences, fieldwork.»
«Never married?» Auntie Louise asked.
«No. Never found the right person.»
«Career woman,» Sophie muttered. «No time for family.»
«Sophie, thats enough,» Uncle Geoff warned.
«What? Its true. No husband, no kids. Just work.»
Emma stood.
«You know what? Yes, I chose my career. And I dont regret it. My research matters. It helps protect the oceans for future generations.»
«Couldnt protect your own mother, though,» Sophie shot back.
«Cancer doesnt care about research!»
«But being there helps! Holding her hand, making tea, staying up when she was in pain!»
«I couldnt do it!» Emma shouted. «Understand? I couldnt watch her fade away! Im a coward, okay? I ran! But that doesnt mean I didnt love her!»
Silence. Sophie stepped closer.
«Know what she said at the end? Wheres my Emmy? Why isnt she here? And I lied. Told her you were coming. Every day, I lied.»
«Forgive me.»
«For what? For leaving me to handle everything alone? For Mum dying with your name on her lips, not mine?»
«Sophie»
«You waltz in here thinking you can cry at the wake, then go back to your perfect life. Meanwhile, Im left here. Empty house, medical debts, raising a son alone.»
«What debts? I sent money.»
«Not enough. I remortgaged the house.»
«What? Why didnt you say?»
«Pride. And what difference would it have made? Youd have sent more? Thanks, but no.»
Emma pulled out her phone.
«What are you doing?»
«Calling the bank. Finding out how much you owe.»
«Emma, dont»
«I can do this. I have the money.»
While she spoke to the bank, guests began leaving. Quiet goodbyes, sympathetic nods. Soon, only the sisters and Uncle Geoff remained.
«Girls,» he said. «Stop this. Your mum wouldnt have wanted it.»
«Mum didnt want a lot of things,» Sophie muttered. «But here we are.»
«Read it.» Uncle Geoff nodded at the letter in Emmas hands. «Might help.»
He left. The sisters sat. Emma opened the envelope, unfolded the paper.
«My darling Emmy, I know you blame yourself. Dont. Im not angry. Youre living your life, as you should. Im so proud of you. Proud my daughter is a scientist, doing important things. Sophies angry, but shell come around. Shes a good girl, just tired. Help each other. Youre sisters. Dad wouldve hated seeing you fight. Take care, my love. Know thisIve always loved you. Mum.»
Emma handed it to Sophie. She read it, slumped into a chair, and cried.
«Typical. Always making excuses for everyone.»
«She was kind.»
«Too kind. Im the bitter one. Angry at you, at myself, at the world.»
Emma sat beside her, put an arm around her.
«Youve every right. I was selfish.»
«But Mum forgave you.»
«Will you?»
Sophie wiped her eyes.
«Maybe. Not yet.»
«I understand.»
They sat in the empty living room. Outside, night fell. The house smelled of funeral food and flowers.
«Tell me about Mum,» Emma said. «These last few years.»
«Whats to tell? She was ill. Hopeful. Read a lot. Knew your articles by heart. Bragged to the neighbours.»
«And at the end?»
«Went quietly. In her sleep. I brought her tea in the morning, and she was gone. Looked peaceful. Almost smiling.»
«Glad she wasnt in pain.»
«She was. Just hid it. Said there was no point upsetting us.»
«Us? Me and you?»
«And Jack. My son. He adored her more than me.»
«Where is he now?»
«At a friends. Didnt want him at the wake. Hes only ten.»
«Can I meet him?»
«Tomorrow. If youre staying.»
«Ill stay. Theres the house to sort, paperwork.»
«And then what? Back to London?»
Emma hesitated.
«I dont know. Work»
«Of course. Work first.»
«Sophie, I cant just drop my research. It matters.»
«More than family?»
«It is family. My team depends on me.»
«And I dont?»
«What do you mean?»
«Im exhausted, Em. Ten years raising Jack alone. Three years caring for Mum. Sometimes I just want someone to look after me.»
«Move to London.»
«What?»
«Come live with me. Ive got a three-bed flat. Jack can go to a good school. Youll find work.»
«Youre serious?»
«Completely. Sell the house, clear the debts. Fresh start.»
Sophie shook her head.
«I cant. This is home.»
«Home isnt walls. Its people. And people can live anywhere.»
«Easy for you to say. Youre used to moving.»
«Just think about it.»
The next morning, Emma woke in her old room. Nothing had changedsame floral wallpaper, same desk, same books. Like time had stopped.
In the kitchen, Sophie was making breakfast. A boy sat at the tableSophies double, right down to the stubborn chin.
«Jack, this is Auntie Emma. My sister.»
«Hello,» he said, offering a hand.
«Hi, Jack. Your mums told me about you.»
«Gran talked about you too. Said you study whales.»
«Whales, fish, the whole ocean.»
«Cool. Can I go on an expedition with you?»
«Jack,» Sophie warned.
«Sure,» Emma smiled. «When youre older.»
«How longs that?»
«About eight years.»
«Forever!»
Over breakfast, Jack chattered awaybright, curious, full of questions about the sea. Emma answered, telling stories about her travels.
«Mum, can we visit Auntie Emma in London?» he burst out.
«Jack»
«Theyve got an aquarium! And museums! And»
«Well see,» Sophie said.
After breakfast, the sisters went to the cemetery. Fresh earth, a temporary plaque, wreaths. Emma laid white rosesMums favourite.
«Forgive me, Mum,» she whispered.
Sophie took her hand.
«She already did. You read the letter.»
«Still hurts.»
«Itll pass. Not straightaway, but it will.»
They stood silently, side by side. Two sisters, different yet bound tight.
«Listen,» Sophie said. «Ill think about London.»
«Really?»
«Jack deserves better schools. Not much here for him.»
«Ill help. Flat, job, schoolwhatever you need.»
«I know. You always did. In your own way.»
On the walk back, Sophie stopped suddenly.
«Remember when we were kids? How we promised wed live together when we grew up?»
Emma nodded. «You wanted a big house with a garden.»
«And you wanted a flat overlooking the sea.»
«Well, no sea in London. But theres the Thames.»
«Good enough for now,» Sophie smiled.
That evening, as Emma packed to leave, Sophie saw her off.
«Sorry about yesterday. The anger just took over.»
«I get it. Id have done the same.»
«No, you wouldnt. You dont hold grudges. Thats me.»
«But youre honest. That counts for more.»
They huggedproperly, tightly. Like when they were kids, before resentment crept in.
«Come back in a month,» Sophie said. «Help me pack.»
«I will.»
«And dont vanish for fifteen years this time.»
«I wont. Promise.»
Emma got in the car, waved. Sophie and Jack waved back. The house behind them looked less lonely somehow.
On the drive to the airport, Emma thought about what Mum had written. Family isnt a place. Its the people. And those people should stick together, flaws and all.
She texted Sophie: *»Thanks for opening the door. The second time.»*
The reply came fast: *»It was always open. I was just in the way. Wont happen again.»*
Emma smiled. Things would be alright. Mum wouldve liked that.
