«We weren’t expecting you,» said the sister, shutting the door.
«Mother died three days ago, and you’re only arriving now!» The voice on the phone trembled with barely restrained fury.
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 canopy overhead.
«Evelyn, I explainedI was on a research trip in the Scottish Highlands. There was no signal. I came as soon as I heard.»
«Work was more important than your own mother?»
«Don’t start. I’m on my way. I’ll be there in an hour.»
Her sister hung up. Olivia slid into the rented car and sat motionless for a moment, staring at the rain-blurred lights of the town through the windshield. Her hometown, which she had left fifteen years ago. Back then, she’d been twenty-five, full of determination to make her mark in London. Her mother had wept, her father had stayed silent, and Evelynher younger sisterhad screamed that she was a traitor.
The drive to her childhood home took longer than expected. The town had changednew estates, shopping centres, roundabouts. But as she neared the old centre, the streets grew more familiar. There was the bakery where she and Evelyn had bought warm Chelsea buns. The school, its paint peeling. And finally, their streetquiet, lined with front gardens and benches by the doorsteps.
The family home stood at the end of the cul-de-sac. A two-storey house with an attic, once white, now grey with time. Light shone from the windows, silhouettes moving behind the curtains. Olivia parked by the gate, grabbed her bag, and took a deep breath.
The side gate was unlocked. In the garden, tables covered with white cloths stood beneath a canopy. The wake. A few people smoked by the doorstep, speaking in hushed tones. They fell silent when they saw her.
«Hello,» she said.
No one answered. Auntie Jean, her mothers old friend, turned away. Mr. Thompson from next door shook his head. Olivia walked past them, climbed the steps, and pulled at the front door.
Locked.
She rang the bell. Footsteps, the click of the latch. Evelyn appeared in the doorwayolder now, bitter lines around her mouth, dressed in black.
«We weren’t expecting you,» she said, and closed the door.
Olivia stood on the step, disbelieving. Whispers rose behind her. She rang the bell again. Silence. Knocked.
«Evelyn! Evelyn, open the door! This is ridiculous!»
The door opened a crack, held by the chain.
«Go away,» Evelyn 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!»
«And what? Thought youd make it in time? Fifteen years youve been gone, and now you suddenly care?»
«Evelyn, let me in. Lets talk properly.»
«Properly? Like you did when Dad was dying? Couldnt even be bothered to come home!»
«I was in Kenya! On a field study! No phones!»
«Always an excuse. Kenya, Antarctica, work trips. And we were herewith Mum. She was ill for three years, Olivia. Three years! Where were you?»
Olivia said nothing. Shed known her mother was sick. Called, sent money for treatment. But coming home something always got in the way. Work, projects, research.
«I sent money.»
«Money?» Evelyn 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 water still dripped from the trees. Voices and the clink of dishes drifted from inside.
«Olivia?»
She turned. A woman in her forties stood nearby.
«Im Margaretyour neighbour. We moved in five years ago. Your mum talked about you often.»
«Did she?»
«She was so proud. Said her daughter was a scientist, travelling the world, publishing papers. Showed us newspaper cuttings.»
Olivias eyes stung.
«Did she mention I abandoned her?»
«You didnt. Life just takes us different ways. Anne understood that.»
«Evelyn doesnt.»
«Shes angry. Its been hard for her. But that doesnt make her right.»
Margaret sat beside her.
«Your mother wrote you a letter. Asked me to give it to you if you came.»
«A letter?»
Margaret handed her an envelope. In her mothers familiar handwriting, it read: *For my Liv.*
«Thank you,» Olivia said, her hands shaking.
Margaret left. Olivia sat with the letter in her lap, afraid to open it. Finally, she stood and walked to the car. Just then, an elderly man stepped outUncle Victor, her mothers brother.
«Olivia? You came.»
«Uncle Vic.» She hugged him. «At least someones glad to see me.»
«Of course I am. Come inside.»
«Evelyn wont let me.»
«Nonsense. This is your home too.»
He took her hand and led her to the door, unlocking it with his key.
«Evelyn!» he called. «Ive brought Olivia.»
Her sister appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
«Uncle Vic, I told you»
«No, you didnt. Olivia has every right to be here. This was her home too.»
«She walked away from it!»
«Enough. Your mother wouldnt want this.»
«How do you know what Mum wanted?»
«Because I sat with her those last days. She talked of nothing but you. Asked me to forgive you if she didnt get the chance.»
Evelyn leaned against the wall, covering her face.
«Its not fair. I did everythingand all she talked about was you.»
«She loved you too,» Uncle Vic said, pulling her close. «Just differently. You were here. Olivia was far away. We worry more about those we cant see.»
In the sitting room, about twenty people sat around the wake. Relatives, neighbours, her mothers friends. They fell silent when Olivia entered.
«Hello,» she said.
Some nodded. Others looked away. Aunt Louise, her fathers sister, stood and approached.
«Olivia, Im so sorry. Your mother was a wonderful woman.»
«Thank you, Aunt Lou.»
Slowly, others came forward, offering condolences. Only Evelyn stood apart, arms crossed.
«Eat something,» Aunt Jean said, setting a plate before her. «You must be hungry.»
«Im not.»
«You should. Your mum wouldnt want you skipping meals.»
Olivia took a spoonful of soup. Her mothers recipe. A lump rose in her throat.
«Tell us about your work,» Uncle Vic said. «Anne said youre at the university now?»
«Yes, marine biology. Studying coastal ecosystems.»
«Still travelling?»
«Often. Conferences, expeditions.»
«Never married?» Aunt Louise asked.
«No. Never worked out.»
«Career woman,» Evelyn muttered. «No time for family.»
«Evelyn, stop,» Uncle Vic said.
«Why? Its true. No husband, no children. Just work.»
Olivia stood.
«You know what? Yes, I chose my career. And I dont regret it. What I do matters. My research helps protect the oceans.»
«Couldnt protect your own mother,» Evelyn shot back.
«Cancer doesnt care about research!»
«But being there helps! Holding her hand, making tea, staying up when the pain came!»
«I couldnt have done it!» Olivia shouted. «Do you understand? I couldnt have watched her fade! I was a coward, yes! I ran! But that doesnt mean I didnt love her!»
Silence. Evelyn stepped closer.
«Do you know what she said before she died? ‘Wheres my Liv? Why hasnt she come?’ And I lied. Told her you were on your way. Every day, I lied.»
«Im sorry.»
«For what? For leaving me to do it all? For her dying with your name on her lips and not mine?»
«Eve»
«No. You think you can just show up, cry at the wake, and go back to your perfect life? Im the one left here. With the empty house, the medical bills, my son growing up without a father.»
«What bills? I sent money.»
«You did. It wasnt enough. I remortgaged the house.»
«What? Why didnt you tell me?»
«Pride. And what would it have changed? Youd have sent more? No thanks.»
Olivia took out her phone.
«What are you doing?»
«Calling the bank. Ill settle the debt.»
«Liv, you dont»
«I want to. I can do this much.»
As she spoke to the bank, guests began to leave quietly. Soon, only the sisters and Uncle Vic remained.
«Girls,» he said. «Stop this. Your mother wouldnt want it.»
«She didnt want a lot of things,» Evelyn muttered. «But here we are.»
«Read it,» he nodded at the letter in Olivias hands. «Might help.»
He left. The sisters sat alone. Olivia opened the envelope.
*»My dearest Liv, I know you blame yourself. Dont. Im not angry. Youre living the life you were meant to. Im so proud. Proud my daughter is a scientist, doing important work. Evelyns angry, but shell come around. Shes goodjust tired. Help each other. Youre sisters. Your father would hate this quarrel. Take care, my love. Know Ive always loved you. Mum.»*
Olivia passed the letter to Evelyn. She read it, then sank into a chair, weeping.
«She was always like this. Forgiving everyone.»
«She was kind.»
«Too kind. Im the bitter one.»
Olivia sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her sister.
«Youve every right to be. I was selfish.»
«But Mum forgave you.»
«Will you?»
Evelyn wiped her eyes.
«I dont know. Maybe, someday. Not yet.»
«I understand.»
They sat in the quiet house as evening fell, the scent of funeral flowers lingering.
«Tell me about her,» Olivia said. «The last few years.»
«Whats to tell? She was ill, hopeful, read a lot. Knew your papers by heart. Bragged to the neighbours.»
«And at the end?»
«Went peacefully. In her sleep. I brought tea in the morning, and she was gone. Smiling, almost.»
«At least she wasnt in pain.»
«She was. Just hid it. Said there was no point upsetting us.»
«Usmeaning you and me?»
«And James. My son. He adored her more than me.»
«Where is he now?»
«At a friends. Didnt want him at the wake. Hes only ten.»
«Will I meet him?»
«Tomorrow. If youre staying.»
«I am. Theres the house to sort, paperwork.»
«And then? Youll leave again?»
Olivia hesitated.
«I dont know. Work»
«Of course. Work always comes first.»
«Eve, I cant abandon my research. It matters.»
«More than family?»
«Its family too. My team relies on me.»
«And I dont?»
«How?»
«Im exhausted, Liv. Ten years alone with a child. Three with a sick mother. Sometimes I just want someone to take care of me.»
«Move to London.»
«What?»
«Live with me. Ive a three-bed flat. James can go to a good school. Youll find work.»
«Youre serious?»
«Completely. Sell the house, clear the debts. Start fresh.»
Evelyn shook her head.
«I cant. This is my home. Our 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, Olivia woke in her old room. Nothing had changedthe same floral wallpaper, the same desk, the same books. As if time had stood still.
In the kitchen, Evelyn made breakfast while a boyEvelyns spitting imagesat at the table.
«James, this is Aunt Olivia. 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 all the ocean.»
«Brilliant. Can I come on an expedition?»
«James,» Evelyn chided.
«You can,» Olivia smiled. «When youre older.»
«How longs that?»
«Eight years.»
«Thats forever!»
Over breakfast, James asked endless 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 think about it,» Evelyn said.
Later, the sisters visited the gravesite. Fresh soil, a temporary marker, wreaths. Olivia placed white rosesher mothers favourite.
«Forgive me, Mum,» she whispered.
Evelyn took her hand.
«She already did. You read the letter.»
«It still hurts.»
«It will. But not forever.»
They stood in silence, hands clasped. Two sisters, so different, yet bound together.
«You know,» Evelyn said. «Ill think about London.»
«Really?»
«James deserves better schools. Theres nothing for him here.»
«Ill help. With the flat, work, everything.»
«I know. You always did. In your own way.»
On the walk back, Evelyn paused.
«Remember how we used to dream of living together when we grew up?»
«I remember. 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.»
«Itll do,» Evelyn smiled. «For now.»
That evening, as Olivia packed to leave, Evelyn saw her out.
«Sorry about yesterday. I was angry.»
«I understand. Id have done the same.»
«No, you wouldnt. You dont hold grudges. I do.»
«But youre honest. That matters more.»
They embraced tightly, as they had as childrenbefore resentment, before distance.
«Come back in a month,» Evelyn said. «Help me move.»
«I will.»
«And dont vanish for fifteen years this time.»
«I wont. Promise.»
Olivia got in the car and waved. Evelyn and James stood at the gate, waving back. The house behind them no longer looked so lonely.
On the drive to the airport, Olivia thought of her mothers words. Family wasnt a placeit was people. And those people belonged together, forgiving each other’s mistakes.
She texted Evelyn: *»Thank you for opening the door. The second time.»*
The reply came quickly: *»It was always open. I was just in the way. Not anymore.»*
Olivia smiled. It would be alright. Mum would have been pleased.
