«We weren’t expecting you,» said the sister, shutting the door.
«Mum died three days ago, and you’re only just arriving!» The voice on the other end of the phone trembled with barely contained anger.
Olivia pressed the phone to her ear with her shoulder, struggling to hold her heavy bag while fishing for her car keys. The rain grew heavier, drumming against the station awning.
«Emma, I explainedI was on assignment in the Highlands. There was no reception. As soon as I found out, I got on the first flight.»
«Your job was more important than your own mother?»
«Dont start. Im on my way. Be there in an hour.»
The line went dead. Olivia slid into the rental car and sat motionless for a moment, staring at the blurry city lights through the rain-streaked windscreen. Her hometownthe one shed left fifteen years ago. Back then, shed been twenty-five, determined to conquer London. Mum had wept, Dad had stayed silent, and Emmaher younger sisterhad screamed that she was a traitor.
The drive to her parents house took longer than expected. The city had changednew estates, shopping centres, roundabouts. But as she neared the old centre, the streets became familiar. There was the bakery where she and Emma used to buy warm scones. The school, its paint peeling. And finally, their streetquiet, with front gardens and benches by the doorsteps.
The house stood at the end of a cul-de-sac. A two-storey home with an attic, once white, now grey with age. Light spilled from the windows, silhouettes moving behind the curtains. Olivia parked by the gate, grabbed her bag, and took a deep breath.
The gate wasnt locked. Under the awning in the garden, tables were draped in white cloths. A wake. A few people smoked by the porch, murmuring in low voices. They fell silent when they saw her.
«Hello,» she said.
No one answered. Auntie Margaret, Mums best friend, turned away. Uncle Jack, the neighbour, shook his head. Olivia walked past them, climbed the steps, and pulled at the door.
Locked.
She rang the bell. Footsteps, then the click of the latch. Emma appearedolder now, mouth set in bitter lines, dressed in black.
«We werent expecting you,» she said, and closed the door again.
Olivia stood on the porch, uncomprehending. Behind her, the smokers whispered. She rang again. Silence. Knocked.
«Emma! Emma, open up! This is absurd!»
The door opened a crack, the chain still on.
«Leave,» Emma said. «You dont belong here.»
«I came to say goodbye to Mum!»
«Youre too late. We put her in the ground yesterday.»
«You said she died three days ago!»
«And what? Thought youd make it in time? Fifteen years, Olivia. Fifteen years, and suddenly youre in a hurry?»
«Emma, let me in. Lets talk properly.»
«Properly? Like when Dad was dying? You didnt even come then!»
«I was in Kenya! On a research trip! No bloody signal!»
«Always an excuse. Kenya, Antarctica, assignments. Meanwhile, Mum and I were here. She was ill for three years, Liv. Three years! Where were you?»
Olivia said nothing. Shed known Mum was ill. Sent money for treatment. But coming home Something always stopped her. Work, projects, fieldwork.
«I sent money.»
«Money?» Emma laughed bitterly. «She didnt need your cheques. 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 spent more nights at the hospital than at home? That my son barely knows me because I was always with Gran?»
The door slammed. Olivia stepped down from the porch and sat on the garden bench. The rain had stopped, but droplets still fell from the trees. Inside, voices murmured, dishes clinked.
«Olivia?» A womans voice.
She turned. A strangerfortyishstood there.
«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. Showed us newspaper cuttings.»
Olivias eyes burned.
«Did she say I abandoned her?»
«You didnt abandon anyone. Life just takes people different ways. Anne understood that.»
«Emma doesnt.»
«Emmas angry. Shes had it hard. Doesnt mean shes right.»
Sarah sat beside her.
«Your mum left you a letter. Gave it to me, asked me to pass it on if you came.»
«A letter?»
Sarah pulled an envelope from her pocket. In Mums familiar handwriting: *For Liv.*
«Thank you,» Olivia whispered, fingers trembling.
Sarah left. Olivia sat with the letter in her lap. Too afraid to open it. She stood, walked to the car. An older manUncle Robert, Mums brotherstepped out.
«Liv? You came.»
«Uncle Rob.» She hugged him. «At least someones glad to see me.»
«Of course I am. Come inside.»
«Emma wont let me in.»
«Dont be daft. This is your home too.»
He led her to the porch, unlocked the door with his key.
«Emma!» he called. «Olivias here.»
Emma emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
«Uncle Rob, I told you»
«You told me nothing. Olivia has every right to be here. This is her parents house.»
«The parents she abandoned!»
«Enough, Emma. Anne wouldnt have wanted this.»
«How do you know what Mum wanted?»
«Because I sat with her. These last days, she only talked about Liv. Asked me to forgive her if she couldnt make it back.»
Emma leaned against the wall, covering her face.
«Its not fair. I did everything for her. And she only thought of Olivia.»
«She loved you too,» Uncle Robert said softly. «Just differently. You were here. Liv wasnt. You worry more about the ones who arent close.»
In the living room, twenty people sat around the wake tables. Relatives, neighbours, Mums friends. The room fell silent when Olivia entered.
«Hello,» she said.
Some nodded. Others looked away. Auntie Rose, Dads sister, stood and came forward.
«Olivia, love. Im so sorry. Your mum was a good woman.»
«Thank you, Auntie Rose.»
One by one, others offered condolences. Only Emma stayed in the corner, arms crossed.
«Eat something,» Auntie Margaret said, setting a plate before her. «You must be starving.»
«Not hungry.»
«You should. Your mum wouldve wanted it.»
Olivia picked up a spoon, tasted the soup. Mums recipe. Her throat tightened.
«Tell us about your work,» Uncle Robert said. «Anne said youre at the university now?»
«Yes. Oceanography. Researching marine ecosystems.»
«Travel much?»
«Too much. Conferences, expeditions.»
«Never married?» Auntie Rose asked.
«No. Never happened.»
«Career woman,» Emma muttered. «Family never mattered.»
«Emma,» Uncle Robert warned.
«What? Its true. No husband, no kids. Just work.»
Olivia stood.
«You know what? Yes, I chose my career. And I dont regret it. My research matters. It helps protect the ocean for future generations.»
«Didnt help protect your own mother,» Emma shot back.
«Cancer doesnt care about research!»
«But being there helps! Holding her hand, making tea, staying up when the pain was bad!»
«I couldnt do it!» Olivia shouted. «Understand? I couldnt watch her fade! Im a coward, fine! I ran! But that doesnt mean I didnt love her!»
Silence. Emma stepped closer.
«Know what she said before she died? *Wheres my Liv? Why isnt she here?* And I lied. Told her you were coming. Every day, I lied.»
«Im sorry.»
«For what? That I carried it all alone? That Mum died saying your name, not mine?»
«Emma»
«No, listen. You waltz in here thinking you can cry at the wake and go back to your perfect life. But Im the one left here. With the empty house. The medical debts. A son growing up without a father.»
«What debts? I sent money.»
«You sent some. Treatment cost more. I remortgaged the house.»
«What? Why didnt you tell me?»
«Pride. And what difference would it have made? Youd have sent more money? No thanks.»
Olivia pulled out her phone.
«What are you doing?»
«Calling the bank. Finding out how much you owe.»
«Liv, dont»
«Im doing it. This much, I can fix.»
As she spoke to the bank, guests began to leave. Quiet goodbyes, sympathetic nods. Soon, only the sisters and Uncle Robert remained.
«Girls,» he said. «Enough. Your mum wouldnt want this.»
«Mum didnt want a lot of things,» Emma muttered. «But here we are.»
«Read it.» He nodded at the letter in Olivias hands. «Might help.»
He left. The sisters stood alone. Olivia opened the envelope, unfolded the paper.
*My darling Liv,
I know you blame yourself. Dont. Im not angry. Youre living your life as you should. Im proud of you. Proud my daughter is a scientist, doing important work. Emmas angry, but shell come round. Shes good, just tired. Help each other. Youre sisters. Dad would hate this rift. Take care, my love. Know thisI always loved you. Mum.*
Olivia handed it to Emma. She read it, then sank into a chair, crying.
«She was always like this. Making excuses for everyone.»
«Kind-hearted.»
«Too kind. Im the bitter one. Angry at you, at myself, at the world.»
Olivia sat beside her, pulled her close.
«Youve every right. I *was* selfish.»
«But Mum forgave you.»
«Will you?»
Emma wiped her eyes.
«I dont know. Maybe. Not yet.»
«I understand.»
They sat in the empty living room. Outside, dusk fell. The house smelled of funeral flowers and food.
«Tell me about her,» Olivia whispered. «The last years.»
«Whats to tell? She was ill. Treated. Hoped. Read a lot. Knew your papers by heart. Bragged to the neighbours.»
«How at the end?»
«Went peacefully. In her sleep. I brought tea in the morning, and she was gone. Smiling, almost.»
«Good. No pain.»
«She was in pain. Just hid it. Said there was no point upsetting us.»
«Us? You and me?»
«And James. My boy. He loved 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. Need to sort the house. Paperwork.»
«And then? Youll leave again?»
Olivia hesitated.
«I dont know. Work»
«Of course. Work first.»
«Emma, I cant just quit. My research»
«Is more important than family?»
«It *is* family. My team depends on me.»
«And I dont?»
«What?»
«Im tired, Liv. Ten years alone with a kid. Three with a dying mother. Sometimes I just want someone to take care of *me*.»
«Move to London.»
«What?»
«Come live with me. Ive got space. James can go to a good school. Youll find work.»
«Youre serious?»
«Completely. Sell the house, clear the debts. Fresh start.»
Emma shook her head.
«I cant. This is my home. *Our* home.»
«Home isnt a place. Its people. And people can be anywhere.»
«Easy for you. Youre used to leaving.»
«Just think about it.»
The next morning, Olivia woke in her old room. Nothing had changedsame floral wallpaper, same desk, same books. As if time had stopped.
Emma was making breakfast. Beside her sat a boyEmmas mirror image. Same dark eyes, stubborn chin.
«James, this is Aunt Liv. My sister.»
«Hello,» he said, offering his hand.
«Hi, James. Your mums told me about you.»
«Gran talked about you too. Said you study whales.»
«Whales, and the whole ocean.»
«Cool. Can I go on an expedition with you?»
«James,» Emma scolded.
«Sure,» Olivia smiled. «When youre older.»
«How longs that?»
«Eight years.»
«Thats *forever*!»
Over breakfast, James chatteredbright, curious, full of questions about the sea. Olivia answered, telling stories of her travels.
«Mum, can we visit Aunt Liv in London?» he burst out.
«James»
«Theyve got an aquarium! And museums! And»
«Well see,» Emma said.
After breakfast, the sisters went to the cemetery. Fresh earth, a temporary marker, wreaths. Olivia placed white rosesMums favourite.
«Im sorry, Mum,» she whispered.
Emma took her hand.
«She forgave you. You read the letter.»
«Doesnt make it hurt less.»
«Itll fade. Not quickly, but it will.»
They stood in silence, hands clasped. Two sisters, so different, so alike.
«You know,» Emma said. «Ill think about London.»
«Really?»
«James deserves better schools. Not much here for him.»
«Ill help. With everything.»
«I know. You always did. In your way.»
On the walk back, Emma stopped suddenly.
«Remember when we were kids? How we swore wed live together when we grew up?»
Olivia smiled. «You wanted a big house with a garden.»
«And you wanted a flat with a sea view.»
«Well, no sea in London. But theres the Thames.»
«Itll do,» Emma said. «For now, itll do.»
That evening, as Olivia packed to leave, Emma walked her out.
«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 matters more.»
They huggedtight, real. Like when they were kids, before the hurt.
«Come back in a month,» Emma said. «Help me move.»
«Ill be here.»
«And dont vanish for fifteen years again.»
«I wont. Promise.»
Olivia got in the car, waved. Emma and James waved back. The house behind them looked less lonely now.
On the drive to the airport, Olivia thought about what Mum had written. Family wasnt a place. It was people. And people needed to be together, to forgive, to help.
She texted Emma: *Thanks for opening the door. The second time.*
The reply came fast: *It was always open. I was just in the way. Wont be again.*
Olivia smiled. It would be alright. Mum wouldve been glad.
