Alice had gone to collect her things from her ex and found her sister there in a dressing gown.
«What do you even know about love?» Her voice trembled, her grip on the phone slipping from how damp her hands were. «Three months of dinners, flowers, and then you vanished as if nothing had ever happened!»
«Listen, I never promised you forever,» Charles replied, his voice infuriatingly calm. «We were just seeing each other, having fun.»
«Having fun?» Alice exhaled sharply, fighting the shake in her voice. «Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. You know what? Ill come by tomorrow to collect my things. And youll never see me again.»
«Tomorrow wont work. I’ve got… things.»
«What things? Another poor girl to fool?»
«Alice, dont start. Im busy till evening. Come after eight.»
«No. Ill be there at noon. And I dont care about your *things*. Itll take ten minutes, and then you can get on with your lovely life without me.»
She ended the call before he could respond, tossing the phone onto the sofa and sinking beside it, pressing her hands over her face. The tears shed held back all week finally spilled over. Why was it always the same? Why did she keep choosing men who treated her like a passing amusement?
A soft knock at the door.
«Alice, are you alright?» Her mother peeked in, a cup of tea in hand.
«Im fine,» Alice muttered, wiping her cheeks hastily. «Just tired.»
Her mother set the tea down and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
«I heard. That Charles again?»
Alice nodded, unable to speak.
«Darling, how much longer? Four months mourning a man who doesnt value you.»
«Im not mourning,» Alice snapped. «I just want my things back so I can close this chapter.»
«Whats even left there? A few books? A jumper?»
«My favourite perfume, two blouses, and Grans photo album. I cant just leave them.»
Her mother sighed, smoothing Alices hair.
«Shall I go? Or what about Eleanor?»
At the mention of her older sister, Alice scowled.
«Dont drag Eleanor into this! Were barely speaking as it is.»
«Goodness, whats happened now?»
«Nothing. She just thinks she knows how I should live. Said Charles was a waste of time. Bet shes pleased with herself nowproved right!»
«She means well,» her mother said gently.
Alice shook her head. Eleanor had always been perfecttop marks at school, first-class degree, successful career, the right sort of husband. Easy for her to give advice from her pedestal. Meanwhile, Alice at thirty-two had a broken heart, a rented flat, and a job she despised.
«Ill go myself,» she said firmly. «This ends tomorrow.»
The next morning, she woke with a headache, having barely slept, rehearsing the encounter in her mind. She wanted to look flawlesslet him regret losing her. She dressed carefully, applied her makeup, and slipped into a new dress and heels.
As the cab wound through familiar streets, she ran through what shed say. Cold. Composed. No tears, no accusations. Collect her things and leave with her head high.
Charless building was quiet. Alice took the lift to the seventh floor, her heart pounding as she approached his door. She inhaled sharply and rang the bell.
Silence.
No answer. Had he actually left for his *things*? She pressed the bell again, longer this time. Footsteps. She straightened, steeling herself.
The door opened.
Alice froze.
Standing there was Eleanorher sister. In a dressing gown, hair damp, face startled.
«Alice?» Eleanor took a step back. «Whatwhat are you doing here?»
Alice couldnt speak. Fragments of thoughts swirled, none forming sense.
«What am *I* doing here?» she managed. «What are *you* doing here? In a dressing gown. In my exs flat.»
Eleanor dragged a hand over her face.
«Listen, its not what you»
«Who is it, Ellie?» Charles appeared behind her, buttoning his shirt. Seeing Alice, he stopped, his expression caught between surprise and annoyance.
«Oh. Its you. I said after eight.»
Alice looked between them, something inside her snapping.
«Youyoure together? My sister and my ex?»
Eleanor stepped forward. «Alice, lets talk. Not here. Come somewhere»
«Talk? About what? How youve been laughing at me behind my back?» Nausea rose in her throat. «How long has this been going on? While we were still together?»
Charles sighed, crossing his arms.
«Nothing happened while we were together. Ellie and I met by chance after»
«By *chance*?» Alice laughed bitterly. «Chance led you to the same bed?»
«Stop,» Eleanor said sharply. «Youve got this all wrong.»
«Then *explain* it to me!» Alices voice rose. «How else am I supposed to take my own sister standing in my exs flat in a dressing gown?»
She couldnt finish. Her throat tightened. She turned and ran for the lift, jabbing the button as if that might hurry it.
«Alice, wait!» Eleanor rushed after her, clutching the gown. «Let me explain!»
«Dont touch me!» Alice recoiled. «I saw everything. What explanation could there be?»
The lift doors opened. She stepped in, pressing for the ground floor. The last thing she saw before the doors closed was Eleanors stricken faceand Charles, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Outside, the sunlight felt mocking. She walked blindly, bumping into passersby. Her phone buzzed relentlesslyEleanor, no doubt. She wouldnt answer. Not ever.
She stumbled into the first café she saw, ordering coffee she wouldnt drink. Just somewhere to sit before her legs gave way. Her hands shook so badly she had to clamp them between her knees.
The waitress set down the coffee, eyeing her pale face. «You alright, love?»
«Fine, thanks,» Alice forced a smile. «Just tired.»
Alone, she stared into the cup, watching the tremors in her hands ripple the surface. How could this be? Eleanoralways the perfect one, moral, righteous, lecturing her on how to choose men, how to build a life. And now *this*?
Her phone rang again. She pulled it out, ready to silence itbut it was Mum. She hesitated, then answered.
«Alice?» Her mothers voice was tense. «Whats happened? Eleanor rang me in tears»
«What did she say?» Alice cut in.
«That theres been some misunderstanding. That youve got the wrong idea»
«Misunderstanding?» Alice nearly laughed. «I walked in on my sister in a dressing gown in Charless flat! What *misunderstanding*?»
Silence.
«Mum? Are you there?»
«Yes,» her mother said quietly. «Eleanor said she was helping you.»
«Helping?» Alice barked a laugh, drawing glances. «*How*?»
«I dont know the details. She begged me to make you listen. Said its not what it looks like.»
Alice shook her head. «I dont want to hear it. Dont call me about this again.»
She hung up, switched off her phone, paid for the untouched coffee, and left.
Home held no appealMum would be there, ready to mediate. Or worse, Eleanor. Instead, she went to her friend Margaretsthe one whod said from the start, *»I dont trust that Charles. Something off about him.»*
Margaret hugged her at the door. «Christ, you look awful. Whats happened?»
Between sobs and pauses to steady her voice, Alice told her. Margaret listened, shaking her head, murmuring sympathy.
«I cant believe it,» Alice finished. «Eleanorshes always been so *proper*. And now *this*?»
Margaret stirred her tea thoughtfully.
«Could there be another explanation? Doesnt sound like Eleanor.»
«Youre taking her side?» Alice flared.
«Im not on any side,» Margaret said calmly. «Just sayingdont burn bridges yet. Hear her out. If its what you think, you can always cut ties later.»
Alice shook her head stubbornly. «I dont want to hear it.»
She stayed the night, still not ready to face her family. In the morning, she turned her phone onneeding to call work and take the day off. Dozens of missed calls from Eleanor, a few from Mum, and one message from… Charles.
*Alice, youve got it wrong. Your sister was helping you. Let her explain.*
She deleted it. What else could he say? What story had they concocted?
Work granted her leave. She spent the day at Margarets, watching old films, trying not to thinkbut the image wouldnt leave: Eleanor in that gown, Charles buttoning his shirt…
That evening, a knock. Margaret answered. A familiar voice:
«Hello. Is Alice here? I need to speak to her.»
Eleanor. Margaret glanced at Alice, who shook her head.
«Sorry, she doesnt want to talk,» Margaret said gently.
«Please,» Eleanors voice cracked. «Its important. She needs to know the truth.»
«The truth?» Alice stormed to the door. «I *saw* the truth!»
Eleanor stood there, pale, eyes red. Not the composed older sister Alice knew.
«May I come in?»
Alice wanted to refuse, but Margaret stepped aside. They settled in the living room, Eleanor twisting her bag strap.
«Ill explain,» she began. «Just hear me out.»
Alice crossed her arms. «Go on.»
«Charles and I arent together. Never have been.»
«Then what were you doing in his flat? In a *dressing gown*?»
Eleanor took a shaky breath.
«I went to collect your things.»
Alice scoffed. «And that required a shower and his gown?»
«Not his. *Yours*.» Eleanors voice was barely audible. «Remember the silk one you got for your birthday? You left it at his place.»
Alice recalledblue, embroidered with birds. A gift from colleagues.
«That doesnt explain why you were wet.»
Eleanor looked down. «Because he spilled coffee on me.»
«What?»
«I went to see him last night. After you told Mum you were going today. I… wanted to talk to him. Understand what really happened between you.»
«Why?» Alice snapped.
«Because youre my sister,» Eleanor said simply. «And Ive watched you hurt. I wanted to know why he did this.»
She paused.
«At first, he wouldnt let me in. But I insisted. We talked in the kitchenhe said you werent right for each other, that he wasnt ready…»
«And this is news?» Alice interrupted.
«Then I said Id take your things. That itd spare you seeing him. He agreed, but when we went to gather them, he knocked over his coffeeall over me.»
Alice stared.
«So you stayed the night?»
«No! He offered me a shower while my clothes dried. He washed them, hung them up. I put on your gown, and then you arrived.»
«And him half-dressed? More coffee?»
Eleanor shook her head. «Hed just woken up. Said he hadnt slept well.»
Alice leaned back, digesting it. The story was absurdyet… Eleanor had never lied to her. Even when the truth hurt.
«And you expect me to believe this?»
«I know how it looks,» Eleanor whispered. «But its true. Id never betray you. Never.»
She pulled a bag from her purse.
«Your things. Perfume, blouses, the album. And the gown. Everything you left.»
Alice looked at the bag, then at her sisters face. The raw pain in Eleanors eyes made doubt falter.
«Why didnt you tell me you were going?»
«Because youd have refused. Youre so proudnever admit when youre hurting. But I saw it. I wanted to spare you facing him.»
A lump rose in Alices throat. All this time, shed believed the worstwhile Eleanor had only tried to help.
«I… dont know what to say.»
«Say you believe me,» Eleanor pleaded. «Because its true. Id never hurt you. Never.»
Alice stayed silent, but the anger ebbed, replaced by shame for her assumptions.
«Why didnt you explain straight away?»
«I tried! You ran before I could speak.»
True. Alice remembered Eleanor calling after her: *»Let me explain!»* She hadnt listened, preferring the worst conclusion.
«Im sorry,» she murmured. «I should have let you.»
Eleanor exhaled, tears spilling. Alice moved to the sofa, hugging her. They sat wordlessly, until Alice pulled back, wiping her eyes.
«What did you say to Charles? When you went?»
«The truth,» Eleanor smiled weakly. «That he was a fool to let go of someone like you. And that hed regret it.»
Alice found herself smiling.
«And what did he say?»
«Nothing sensible. Think I scared himbig sister coming to defend little sister.»
They laughed, the tension dissolving. Margaret quietly slipped out to the kitchen.
«You know,» Alice said after a while, «I always thought you had it all figured out. Perfect life, perfect choices. And me… always picking wrong men, wrong jobs.»
Eleanor shook her head.
«Thats not true. Ive made mistakes too. I just didnt always tell you.»
«Like what?»
«Simon and I nearly divorced last year.»
Alice gaped. «But youre the perfect couple!»
«Nobodys perfect,» Eleanor sighed. «We hit a rough patch. He was working too much; I felt alone. We barely spoke.»
«Why didnt you tell me?»
«Didnt want to upset you. And… I was ashamed. All that advice I gave you, and my own marriage was crumbling.»
«What changed?»
«We started talking. Honestly. About how we felt, what we feared, what we wanted. Turns out, thats the hardestand most importantpart.»
They talked late into the night. Eleanor stayed over, and in the morning, they returned home together, where their mother hugged them tightly.
«Good Lord, I thought I was done refereeing you two. Grown women, honestly!»
«Never too grown to need you, Mum,» Alice smiled, holding her tighter.
Later, over tea, Alice unpacked her thingsperfume, blouses, the album. And the gown, blue with embroidered birds.
«You know,» Eleanor mused, «maybe its for the best. At least now you *know* Charles isnt worth your tears.»
Alice nodded.
«And that Ive got a sister wholl march into battle for me. Even when Im being a complete idiot.»
«*Especially* when youre being a complete idiot,» Eleanor grinned.
Alice smiled. Funny how life taught its lessons. Shed gone to retrieve her things from an exand found something far more precious instead. Maybe that was the point of all the heartacheto make you see what truly mattered.
