Wow, your parents really went all out with this place, Claire said, eyeing her sister-in-laws new flat with barely hidden envy.
Can you even believe it, Emma? Sophies parents bought her a flat! Lily twisted a strand of her highlighted blonde hair nervously, phone pressed to her ear.
What a massive flat your parents bought you, she thought bitterly, taking in her brothers wifes new home.
Her perfectly manicured nailssoft pink, always done, even on a budgetbetrayed her habit of keeping up appearances. And not just any flata three-bed in a brand-new development! In Greenwood Heights, you know? The one with the private gardens and underground parking!
Thats lovely, Im happy for Sophie, Emma replied evenly. Shes a sweet girl. She deserves it.
Deserves it? Lily stopped dead in the middle of her rented studio. How? By still living off Mummy and Daddy at twenty-eight? Earning peanuts at that little archive job?
Lily, come on
No, listen! She yanked back the polyester curtainscheap but presentableand glared out the window. My Tomtheir own son, mind youworks like a dog. Hes a senior manager at a top firm! And were still stuck in this shoebox. The upstairs neighbours flooded us again last week, and the landlord wont lift a finger!
Have you asked his parents for help? Maybe they dont realise youre struggling?
Lily hesitated, studying her reflection. At thirty-two, she still looked goodslim figure, sharp bob, high-end lipstick. No one would guess her blouse was a discount find.
I sort of brought it up with my mother-in-law. At Toms birthday last month? Remember her famous Victoria sponge? I said, Wouldnt it be nice to host in our own place instead of this rental? And she just smiled and passed around more cake.
What does Tom say?
Tom! Lily scoffed. You know what he said yesterday? Love, lets pick up a nice houseplant for Sophies new place. Im so chuffed shes got somewhere proper now!
Well, thats nice, that he and his sister
Nice how? Lily cut in. His sisters got a three-bed in a swanky complex, and hes over the moon! You shouldve seen it when we viewed it. Ninety square metres, floor-to-ceiling windows! My entire flat could fit in her en suite!
Lily, Emmas voice turned firm. Youre winding yourself up. Maybe you shouldnt
No, Em, Lily dropped to a whisper. Im saying my piece at the housewarming tomorrow. Let them see what its like to play favourites. Ill ask them straightwhy does one child get everything and the other nothing?
Lily, dont! Youll cause a scene!
Im done keeping quiet! Five years of living like poor relations. For my birthday, my mother-in-law gave me a handbag. A handbag! And her daughter gets a flat! She smoothed her hair. Tom earns well, but half our wages go on rent and my upkeep. Ive got to look the partIm a managers wife! I cant turn up to his work dos looking like Ive just rolled out of Primark!
The key turned in the lock.
Thats Tom, she hissed. Talk tomorrow. Ill tell you how it goes.
She hung up and forced a smile as Tom walked intall, dark-haired, stubbled, tired but smiling.
Hey! Grabbed us a takeaway. Sorry Im latemeeting ran over. Got your favouritecoconut and almond croissants.
Lovely, she pecked his cheek, eyeing the supermarket bag. How was your day?
Brilliant! You know, Im proper chuffed for Sophie. Shes saved for years, and Mum and Dad helped her out! He unpacked the food.
Lily bit her lip. Its fine, she thought. Tomorrows a different story. Im done pretending.
The next morning, she spent two hours getting ready, finally choosing a cream shift dresslast seasons sale find, but elegant.
Lil, well be late! Tom called. Sophie wanted us early to help with the furniture.
Coming, she said, giving her hair a final flick. Cant your sister manage on her own?
Tom appeared in the doorway.
Lily, whyd you say that? She just needs a hand.
Of course, she pressed her lips together. Why lift a finger when big brothers around?
Whats got into you? He touched her shoulders. Youre wound up.
She met his eyes in the mirror. For a second, she falteredthen remembered Sophies spacious rooms.
Im fine, she forced a smile. Lets go. Wouldnt want to keep Princess Sophie waiting.
The development was impressivegleaming glass towers, landscaped gardens, a concierge. Lilys stomach knotted as they crossed the marble lobby.
Two concierges! Tom chatted in the lift. And secure parking. Pretty swanky, eh?
Very, she gritted out.
Sophie greeted thempetite, in jeans and a loose shirt, nothing like the proud owner of a luxury flat.
Tom! Lily! So glad youre here! She hugged her brother.
Thrilled, Lily said stiffly, stepping into the vast entryway.
Ignore the messstill unpacking! Sophie beamed.
Lily scanned the spotless space. Your hallways bigger than our kitchen.
Theres even a walk-in! Sophie gestured. Not that Ive got much to fill it.
You will, Lily smiled coldly. Now that youve got the room.
Tom shot her a look.
Come on, Ill show you! Sophie led them through. Living roomlook at these windows! And the balcony!
Stunning, Lily breathed. Whats the damage for a place like this?
Lily! Tom warned.
What? Just curious. Maybe well get lucky too land a flat like this.
Sophie flushed. Lily, Mum and Dad worked their whole lives
Right. And somehow youre the one with the flat. Funny, that.
Silence. Sophie glanced between them. Toms jaw tightened.
Lily, outside. Now.
She followed, arms crossed.
What the hell was that?
The truth. Why does she get a palace while were in a hovel?
You dont know the half of it, he said quietly.
Enlighten me.
Mum and Dad offered me a flat three years ago.
She froze.
What?
I turned it down. Said Sophie needed it more.
She paled. You never told me.
Would you have understood? He gave a bitter laugh. Judging by todayno.
Thatsyou shouldve discussed it with me!
Discuss what? That my sister lived in a shared flat on a librarians wage? That she saved half her pay while you blew ours on facials?
She stepped back. I have to look the part!
Sophies worn the same dress for three years. Never complains.
Oh, so shes perfect? Lily hissed.
No. But shes kind. You? Today you humiliated her. Insulted my parents. He exhaled. Im done.
What?
I want a divorce.
She went white.
You cant
I can. I wont spend my life with someone who only knows envy.
From inside, Sophies voice: Tom? Lily? Everything alright?
He turned. Your choice. Stay and apologise, or leave.
He walked back in. Lily watched him hug Sophie, saw their parents relax.
She called a cab. One last look at the happy family, then slipped out.
In the lift, she thought, Some get a three-bed. Some get divorce papers.
Outside, rain dotted her reflection in a puddle. For once, she didnt reach for her lipstick.
