We werent expecting you, her sister said, shutting the door in her face.
Mum died three days ago, and youre only just coming home! The voice on the other end of the line trembled with barely restrained fury.
Emily pressed the phone between her shoulder and ear, struggling to keep hold of her heavy suitcase while fumbling for the car keys. The rain hammered against the station awning, louder now, relentless.
Alice, I explainedI was on assignment in the Scottish Highlands. No signal. The second I found out, I booked the first flight.
Work was more important than Mum?
Dont start. Im on my way. Be there in an hour.
The line went dead. Emily slid into the rented car, sitting motionless for a long moment, staring at the rain-blurred city lights through the windshield. Her hometown. The one shed left fifteen years ago, twenty-five and determined to conquer London. Mum had cried. Dad stayed silent. And Aliceher little sisterhad screamed that she was a traitor.
The drive took longer than expected. The city had changednew estates, shopping centres, roundabouts. But as she neared the old centre, the streets grew familiar. There was the bakery where she and Alice had bought warm Chelsea buns. The school, its paint peeling. Their street, quiet, lined with small front gardens and benches.
The family home stood at the end of the cul-de-sac. Two storeys, a faded grey now where it had once been white. Lights glowed inside; shadows moved behind the curtains. Emily parked at the gate, grabbed her bag, and drew a steadying breath.
The gate was unlocked. In the garden, tables had been set up under a canopy, draped in white cloths. The wake. A few people smoked by the porch, murmuring. They fell silent when they saw her.
Hello, she said.
No one answered. Aunt MargaretMums old friendturned away. Uncle Michael, the neighbour, shook his head. Emily walked past them, climbed the porch steps, and pulled the door handle.
Locked.
She rang the bell. Footsteps. The click of the latch. Alice appeared in the doorway, older now, bitterness etched into the lines of her mouth, dressed in black.
We werent expecting you, she said, and shut the door.
Emily stood frozen, disbelief ringing in her ears. Behind her, the smokers whispered. She rang again. Silence. Then knocked.
Alice! Alice, open the door! This is ridiculous!
The door opened a crack, chain still in place.
Go away, Alice 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? Thought youd make it in time? Fifteen years, Emily. Fifteen years, and suddenly youre in a hurry?
Alice, let me in. Lets talk properly.
Properly? Alices voice cracked. Was it proper when Dad died and you didnt even come?
I was in Kenya! On expedition! No phones!
Always an excuse. Kenya, Antarctica, work. And me? I was here. With Mum. She was ill for three years, Emily. Three years! Where were you?
Emily swallowed. Shed known Mum was sick. Sent money for treatment. But coming home There was always something. Work, projects, research.
I sent money.
Money? Alice laughed, sharp and hollow. She didnt need your cheques, Em. 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 home? That my son barely knows me because I was always with Nan?
The door slammed. Emily stepped back, sinking onto the garden bench. The rain had stopped, but drops still fell from the trees. Inside, voices murmured, cutlery clinked.
Emily? A womans voice.
She turned. A stranger, fortyish, stood there.
Im Sarah. From next door. Moved in five years ago. Your mum talked about you all the time.
Did she?
So proud. My daughters a scientist, shed say. Travels the world, writes papers. Showed us the newspaper clippings.
Emilys throat tightened.
Did she mention I abandoned her?
You didnt abandon anyone. Life just takes people different ways. Margaret understood that.
Alice doesnt.
Alice is angry. Shes had it hard. Doesnt mean shes right.
Sarah sat beside her.
Your mum left a letter. Gave it to me, asked me to pass it on if you came.
A letter?
Sarah handed her an envelope. In Mums familiar handwriting: For Emily.
Thank you. Emilys hands shook as she took it.
If you need anythinggreen gate, next house.
Sarah left. Emily sat there, staring at the letter. Too afraid to open it. She stood, walked to the car. The front door openedUncle James, Mums brother.
Emily? You came.
Uncle James. She hugged him. At least someones glad to see me.
Of course I am. Come inside.
Alice wont let me.
Nonsense. This is your home too.
He took her hand, led her back to the porch, unlocking the door with his own key.
Alice! he called. Emilys here.
Her sister emerged from the kitchen, drying her hands on a tea towel.
Uncle James, I asked
No, you didnt. Emily has every right to be here. This is her parents house.
The parents she abandoned!
Enough. Margaret wouldnt want this.
How do you know what Mum wanted?
Because I sat with her. At the end. She talked about you, Emily. Asked me to tell youif she didnt get the chancethat she forgave you.
Alice leaned against the wall, covering her face.
Its not fair. I did everything. And she only ever talked about you.
She loved you too, Uncle James said softly, pulling her into a hug. Differently. You were here. Emily was far away. You worry more about the ones who arent close.
The living room was fulltwenty people, maybe. Relatives, neighbours, Mums friends. The room went quiet when Emily entered.
Hello, she said.
Some nodded. Others looked away. Aunt LouiseDads sisterstood, approached.
Emily, love. Im so sorry. Your mum was a wonderful woman.
Thank you, Aunt Lou.
One by one, they came. Offering condolences. Only Alice stayed in the corner, arms crossed.
Sit, eat, Aunt Margaret said, setting a plate in front of Emily. You must be starving.
Not hungry.
Eat. Your mum wouldve wanted it.
Emily picked up the spoon, tried the soup. Mums recipe. A lump rose in her throat.
Tell us about your work, Uncle James said. Margaret said youre at the university now?
The Marine Institute. Researching ocean ecosystems.
Travel much?
Necessary. Conferences, expeditions.
Not married? Aunt Louise asked.
No. Didnt happen.
Career woman, Alice muttered. No time for family.
Alice, Uncle James warned.
What? Its true. No husband, no kids. Just work.
Emily stood.
You know what? Yes. I chose my career. And I dont regret it. What I do matters. My research helps protect the oceanfor future generations.
Couldnt protect your own mother, though, Alice 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 have done it! Emily shouted. Do you understand? I couldnt have watched her fade like that! Im a coward, fine! I ran! But dont you dare say I didnt love her!
Silence. Alice stepped forward.
Know what she said at the end? Wheres my Emily? Why isnt she here? And I lied. Told her you were coming. Every single day, I lied.
Im sorry.
For what? For leaving me to do it all alone? For letting her die calling your name, not mine?
Alice
No. Listen. You waltz in now, cry at the funeral, then fly back to your perfect life. And me? Im still here. In this empty house. With the medical bills. With a son whos growing up without a father.
What bills? I sent money.
Not enough. Treatment cost more. I remortgaged the house.
What? Why didnt you tell me?
Pride. And what would it have changed? Youd have sent more money? No thanks.
Emily pulled out her phone.
What are you doing?
Calling the bank. Finding out what you owe.
Em, dont
Im doing this. I can help. I have the money.
As she spoke to the bank, guests began to leave. Quiet goodbyes, sympathetic nods. Soon, only the sisters and Uncle James remained.
Girls, he said. Enough. Your mum wouldnt want this.
Mum didnt want a lot of things, Alice muttered. But here we are.
Read it. He nodded at the letter in Emilys hand. Might help.
He left. The sisters stood alone. Emily opened the envelope, unfolded the paper.
*My darling Emily, I know you blame yourself. Dont. Im not angry. Youre living your life as you must. Im so proud of you. Proud my daughter is a scientist, doing important things. Alice is angry, but shell come round. Shes a good girl, just tired. Help each other. Youre sisters. Same blood. Your dad would hate to see you fighting. Take care, my love. RememberIve always loved you. Mum.*
Emily handed the letter to Alice. She read it, sat down, and cried.
Typical. Always making excuses for everyone.
She was kind.
Too kind. Im not. Im angry. At you. At myself. At everything.
Emily sat beside her, pulled her close.
You have every right. I was selfish.
But Mum forgave you.
Will you?
Alice wiped her eyes.
I dont know. Maybe one day. Not yet.
Thats fair.
They sat in silence as the room emptied. Outside, dusk settled. The house smelled of funeral flowers and food.
Tell me about her, Emily said. The last few years.
Whats to tell? She was ill. She fought. She read a lot. Knew your papers by heart. Bragged about you to the neighbours.
At the endwas it?
Peaceful. In her sleep. I went in with tea, and she was gone. Smiling, almost.
Good.
She suffered. Just didnt show it. Said No point upsetting you.
You meaning me and you?
And Jack. My son. He adored hermore than he does 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.
Im staying. We need to sort the house, the paperwork.
And then? Back to London?
Emily hesitated.
I dont know. Work
Of course. Work first.
Alice, I cant just drop my research. It matters.
More than family?
It is family. My teamthey rely on me.
And I dont?
What do you mean?
Im tired, Em. Ten years alone with a kid. Three years caring for Mum. Sometimes I just want someone to take care of me.
Move to London.
What?
Come live with me. Ive got space. Jack can go to a good school. Youll find work.
Seriously?
Completely. Well sell the house, clear the debts. Fresh start.
Alice 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 to say. Youre used to moving.
Just think about it. Dont decide now.
The next morning, Emily woke in her old room. Nothing had changedsame floral wallpaper, same desk, same books. Like time had stood still.
Downstairs, Alice was making breakfast. A boy sat at the tableAlice in miniature, same dark eyes, same stubborn chin.
Jack, this is Aunt Emily. My sister.
Hello, he said, offering his hand.
Hi, Jack. Your mums told me about you.
Nan talked about you too. Said you study whales.
Not just whales. The whole ocean.
Cool. Can I go on an expedition with you?
Jack, Alice chided.
Sure, Emily smiled. When youre older.
How longs that?
Eight years.
Forever!
Over breakfast, Jack chatteredquestions about the ocean, marine life, her travels. Emily answered, surprised by how bright he was.
Mum, can we visit Aunt Emily in London? he burst out.
Jack
Theyve got an aquarium! And museums! And
Well see, Alice said.
After breakfast, the sisters went to the cemetery. Fresh earth, a temporary marker, wreaths. Emily laid white rosesMums favourite.
Im sorry, Mum, she whispered.
Alice took her hand.
She forgave you. You read the letter.
Still hurts.
Itll pass. Not straight away. But it will.
They stood in silence, hands clasped. Two sisters, so different, so alike.
You know, Alice said finally. 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 help. In your way.
On the walk back, Alice stopped suddenly.
Remember when we were kids? Dreamed of living together when we grew up?
Yeah. You wanted a big house with a garden.
You wanted a flat by the sea.
No sea in London. But theres the Thames.
Close enough, Alice smiled. For now.
That evening, as Emily packed to leave, Alice walked her to the car.
Sorry about yesterday. The anger it just took over.
I get it. Id have done the same.
No, you wouldnt. You dont hold grudges. Thats me.
But youre honest. Thats better.
They huggedtight, real. Like when they were kids, before the bitterness.
Come back in a month, Alice said. Help me pack.
Ill be here.
And dont disappear for another fifteen years.
I wont. Promise.
Emily got in the car, waved. Alice and Jack stood at the gate, waving back. The house behind them looked less lonely somehow.
On the drive to the airport, Emily thought about what Mum had written. Family wasnt a place. It was people. And those people needed to stick together, forgive mistakes, help each other through.
She pulled out her phone, texted Alice: *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.*
Emily smiled. It would be okay. Mum wouldve been glad.
