Sisters

by Michelle Frances

  ‘You’re wrong—’

  ‘It was obvious! And you weren’t even that bothered by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When I tried to tell you I’d read it, you just said you’d read it when you were six!’

  Abby looked chastised. ‘Yes, I might have said that but . . .’ She took a deep breath. Maybe now was the time. Maybe she should speak up. ‘Ellie, there’s something you need to understand—’

  ‘What, that you’re always trying to stab me in the back?’

  ‘There’ll be no stabbing while I’m here, thank you very much.’ A woman’s voice cut through the argument.

  Abby spun around. Her mouth dropped as she saw the familiar slight frame, the cropped blonde wavy hair framing the petite face. ‘You’re not supposed to be here until Wednesday!’

  ‘Charmed, I’m sure,’ said Susanna. ‘And I’m very happy to see you too, dear daughter.’

  SIX

  ‘Oh my word, look at this terrace! It’s sublime!’ Susanna was breathless with delight as she gazed out across the sun-bleached flagstones, the olive and lemon trees, the large wooden table under a pagoda that was bursting with semi-ripe vines.

  Abby watched her with an element of suspicion. She was unused to approval from her mother.

  ‘And the view! My God, it’s like gazing out onto heaven itself.’ Her face was enraptured and she pushed her sunglasses onto the top of her head. ‘You’ve done so well. Clever, clever girl to find all this.’

  Her mother turned and smiled at her, waiting for a response, but Abby deliberately didn’t meet her gaze. She sensed her mother’s hurt, felt her falter and, out of the corner of her eye, saw Susanna turn back to the view, embarrassed by her daughter’s snub.

  Ellie was sitting away from them, alone in a small wicker chair, sipping silently at a glass of wine. Her face gave nothing away but Abby knew she was still fuming. She also knew their mother’s lavish praise of the house was fuelling Ellie’s jealousy.

  Matteo appeared from inside and handed a glass of wine to his mother-in-law.

  ‘And this husband,’ said Susanna. ‘He’s entirely wonderful.’

  ‘Salute!’ said Matteo, clinking her glass with his own.

  ‘It’s so great to meet you at last.’

  Abby watched as Matteo, knowing she hadn’t wanted to invite Susanna to their wedding, took it all in his stride. Except he still doesn’t know the real reason why I didn’t want Mum here, she thought.

  ‘And you’re a policeman, you say? Must be very reassuring for Abby. To think, she had no expectations on that singles’ holiday, and she was right. But in the end it was lucky that she got mugged, otherwise you two would never have met.’

  Abby stiffened and immediately saw her sister sit up in surprise. It hadn’t been something she’d talked to Ellie about. When it had happened, a year ago now, Ellie had been away on some long-haul trip, and by the time she’d come back, Abby had buried it.

  ‘The main thing is she was OK,’ said Matteo.

  ‘I know. I was beside myself when I heard about it.’

  ‘I need to start dinner,’ said Abby, turning away.

  ‘I’ll help,’ piped up Susanna, following her back inside to the kitchen. ‘What can I do?’ she asked brightly.

  ‘Start chopping the salad,’ said Abby, pointing at the pile of vegetables on the side.

  Abby busied herself with the pasta and they worked in silence for a while. Abby knew her mother had offered to help as she wanted to talk privately, but was obviously taking her time, avoiding the elephant in the room. Abby sliced an onion, fried it in the pan and added herbs, garlic and tomatoes, all the while her irritation building. Her mother wasn’t even supposed to be here yet. This was meant to be time for just her and Ellie.

  After her impromptu invitation, Abby had wanted to write again to retract it but it was too late: Ellie emailed to say she’d booked the flights. Then her mother had got wind of Ellie’s trip and had invited herself along too. It was impossible to say no, but Abby knew what it was like when the two of them were together, knew she’d be the third wheel, and so specifically and clearly asked her mother to come two days later.

  ‘I know why you’ve come here early,’ Abby suddenly said, unable to take the silence anymore.

  Susanna smiled. ‘You always were a know-all, that was your problem. But in fact, I just came early as I really wanted to see my girls. Although, judging by the argument when I arrived, I’m not too sure how you’re getting on. Surely you’ve buried the hatchet by now? You just have to accept that you’re two very different people and learn to get along.’

  ‘We’re getting on just fine,’ said Abby through gritted teeth. Outside they could hear Ellie laughing, seemingly brought out of her slump by Matteo. Abby stopped chopping to listen. Ellie’s laugh grated on her nerves. What is she doing? Always so flirty, getting men eating out of her hand.

  ‘Well, they certainly seem to be,’ said Susanna, cocking her head and smiling with approval.

  Abby stopped still. She flashed a look to her mother but Susanna, slicing up tomatoes, didn’t notice.

  ‘You could be nicer to her, you know,’ said Susanna. She turned to face Abby. ‘I’m sorry for what happened when she was young. For not spending enough time with you. I feel like I’m responsible for your relationship now.’

  Abby’s mouth dropped open in utter astonishment. Her mother was apologizing? It was far too little, too late. She furiously stirred the pasta on the hob.

  ‘Are you going to tell her?’ asked Abby, a brittle edge to her voice.

  ‘Tell who?’ Ellie walked into the kitchen, empty glass in hand.

  Abby spun around, heart racing. Neither she nor Susanna said a word.

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Ellie, a puzzled frown appearing on her face.

  Abby’s voice felt strangled in her throat – should she speak up? ‘We thought it would be nice to go to the beach tomorrow,’ she said. ‘Maybe get some lunch there.’

  ‘Yes, it would be lovely to explore,’ said Susanna. ‘What do you think?’

  Ellie was watching them both strangely but then nodded. ‘Sure, why not?’

  There was a moment’s silence, then Abby smiled. ‘Great!’ she said. ‘I’ll just go and set the table. Will you serve up, Mum?’

  Susanna nodded and Abby left the room.

  After she’d gone, Susanna exchanged a look with her other daughter. She shrugged and smiled reassuringly, putting on her best ‘it’s Abby, you know what she can be like’ face.

  ‘You want a hand?’ asked Ellie.

  ‘It’s fine, darling. You go and take a seat and I’ll bring it out in a minute.’

  Susanna waited until her daughter had left, then exhaled deeply. It wasn’t enough. She breathed in again. In, out. In, out. In. Out. Finally, when she had composed herself, she turned her attention to the dinner.

  SEVEN

  ‘Ta da!’ said Susanna as she carried through plates of pasta and salad, placing them on the old table on the terrace. More wine was poured and Abby pulled in her wooden chair, bleached soft by the sun. She had made sure she was next to her husband, with Ellie opposite her. Her mother she had placed furthest away.

  ‘This is delicious,’ said Susanna. ‘I never knew you could cook like this, Abby.’

  And yet I’m thirty-six years old, thought Abby. Time enough to have found out.

  ‘Matteo is a very lucky man,’ joked Susanna.

  Abby’s nerves grated again. ‘We share the cooking,’ she said.

  ‘Ah, a thoroughly modern relationship,’ said Susanna. ‘So come on, Matteo, spill. Was it Abby’s skills in the kitchen that drew you to her?’

  Matteo turned to Abby and she saw that look in his deep brown eyes, the one that made her belly fire up with warmth. If she had to describe it, it was something between pride and admiration, and it made her melt and fall in love with him all over again.

  ‘Actually, it was her legs,’ said Matteo.

  Abby snorted and tap
ped him on the hand.

  ‘Seriously?’ asked Susanna, surprised.

  Abby frowned; what did her mother mean? What was wrong with her legs?

  ‘I mean, she has lovely legs, bit like myself. But are you teasing me?’

  ‘It was in the hospital where I first fell for her. After the accident.’

  ‘She was a damsel in distress!’ exclaimed Susanna.

  ‘The nurses told me she hadn’t had any visitors . . .’

  ‘What, you felt sorry for me?’ asked Abby, put out.

  ‘Only because I knew you were in a foreign country and it would be hard for your friends and family to see you. Their loss was my gain. I faked at least one reason to have to come back and interview you.’ Matteo smiled and Abby touched his hand again. ‘Then, of course, when she went back to the UK, it was hard to get hold of her.’ Matteo turned to Ellie and Susanna. ‘She works so hard!’

  Abby saw her sister paste on a polite smile.

  ‘Worked,’ corrected Ellie.

  Matteo nodded. ‘She understands my long, erratic hours. The need to stay behind in the office every now and then to get everything prepared to catch the bad guy.’

  ‘So you like being a policeman?’ asked Susanna.

  ‘Every day is different.’

  ‘But come on, the proposal,’ said Susanna, tapping the table with her fingers in anticipation. ‘What made you pop the question?’

  ‘Mum,’ admonished Abby.

  ‘It’s OK,’ said Matteo. ‘I just knew she was the woman for me. With Abby, I never feel lonely. But I was worried. I never thought she’d say yes, give up her career to come out here.’

  ‘No, must have been hard to leave rain-soaked concrete London to move to this star-studded land,’ said Ellie dryly, waving a hand up at the night sky.

  ‘It’s still a big deal,’ pointed out Susanna. ‘And you, Abby?’

  ‘What about me?’

  ‘I think your mother wants to know why you decided I was the man of your dreams,’ teased Matteo.

  ‘I could rely on him,’ said Abby.

  ‘That’s not very romantic!’ exclaimed Susanna.

  ‘I disagree. It’s one of the most important things.’

  ‘I didn’t say it wasn’t important. But there’s also . . . well . . . romance.’

  Matteo grinned. ‘Susanna. I am Italian.’ He waved a hand. ‘Anyway, enough about us. What about you, Ellie? Are you dating?’

  Ellie placed her fork primly on her plate. ‘Not at the moment.’ She stood, started to stack the empty plates. ‘I’ll clear away,’ she said.

  ‘I’ll give you a hand,’ said Abby, taking some of the dishes.

  Susanna went to get up as well but Matteo stopped her by pouring some more wine into her glass and insisting she stay at the table. ‘I want to know about your life back in London,’ he said. ‘Tell me about your job. Abby tells me you work in a clothes shop.’

  Thank God for Matteo, thought Abby as she walked away, even though he was unaware of the favour he’d just done her. She wanted a moment alone with Ellie, something that Susanna seemed determined wasn’t going to happen.

  She followed her sister into the kitchen, started to rinse the dirty plates before placing them in the dishwasher. ‘I was thinking it would be nice to go on a boat trip tomorrow. What do you think?’

  Ellie handed her another plate. Shrugged. ‘Sure, why not? Mum would enjoy that too.’

  ‘I was thinking just you and me,’ said Abby quickly.

  ‘Oh. Seems a bit mean to leave Mum out?’

  ‘It’s not like that. I was just thinking we could go early. Before the beach. You know what Mum’s like; she doesn’t rise till mid-morning if she doesn’t have to. We’ll be back by the time she gets up.’

  Ellie paused for a moment, plate mid-air. ‘OK. Why not?’

  Abby smiled with relief. ‘Great! Only . . . don’t mention it, will you? Otherwise she’ll only feel like she’s obliged to come. I don’t want her to miss out on her lie-in.’

  Ellie looked at her suspiciously for a moment, but Abby held her gaze and then the moment passed.

  EIGHT

  It had been a relief to shut the bedroom door that night. Retire to the privacy of her room with just her husband for company. Abby finished brushing her teeth and came from the en suite into the bedroom where Matteo was tidying away his police uniform – discarded in the early hours when he’d come in from his night shift. She got into bed, enjoying watching her naked husband as he went about his domestic duties. He put his jacket and trousers on a hanger, punched in the code on the safe that was in the wardrobe and put away his police-issue gun, then leaped dramatically onto the bed, making Abby smile.

  ‘So, finally I get to meet your family.’

  Abby braced herself, waiting for criticism.

  ‘They’re nice,’ he said, smiling as he noticed her reticence.

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘I think your mother believes I am some sort of hero. That you call the police and I rescue you from the big bad world.’

  ‘She’s just caught up in the romantic idea of it all. She’s lonely. Has been for a long time. I think all her life she’s been hankering after a strong man to look after her.’

  ‘Your father wasn’t that man, no?’

  ‘Danny? I seriously doubt it. She hardly ever talked about him, but from what I understand, he was charming but flighty. Her parents didn’t approve and when she ran off with him, they cut her off.’

  Matteo turned to face her. ‘You didn’t tell your mother how it really happened that night.’

  ‘No . . .’

  ‘And your sister didn’t even know about it.’

  Abby looked apologetic. When she’d spoken to Susanna about the mugging she’d deliberately underplayed it, relayed only the facts. A man had put a knife to her back; another had run off with her bag. Matteo had handled the case and he was the only person who really understood what had happened to her. ‘Thanks for not saying anything.’

  Sensing her discomfort, he kissed her. ‘Families, eh? Why is your mother here early? I thought it was supposed to be you and Ellie for two days.’

  ‘It was.’

  ‘What did you have planned with your sister?’

  Abby shrugged, non-committal. ‘Nothing much. Just hanging out, you know.’

  Matteo wrapped his arms around her and fixed his eyes on hers. ‘So, what’s the big secret?’

  Abby faltered. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I think it is obvious. There is something, a history, in your family. The way everyone was a little bit on edge tonight; because you don’t really talk about them so much. And trust me, I was as happy as you to have a nothing wedding—’

  ‘Nothing?’ exclaimed Abby, in light protest.

  ‘You know what I mean. No fuss. But I do not know of any girl in Italy who would do the same.’

  Abby wondered about telling him then. It would be so nice to confide in this man who filled her heart in a way she’d been searching for since childhood. To confess everything she’d been shouldering for so many years.

  She looked at him. ‘I will tell you. Just not now.’

  ‘Why not now?’

  Abby ran her fingers lightly over his chest. She knew exactly how to distract him. ‘Because I’d rather be doing something else instead,’ she said as she kissed him softly on the lips.

  NINE

  The sound of the crickets had faded as the night had worn on and now – Ellie turned her head very slowly towards the clock on the bedside cabinet – at three a.m., they were almost silent. She shifted her head back, wincing as the pain throbbed behind her temples. It had only been a couple of glasses of wine. It didn’t seem fair that she had such a pounding headache.

  Maybe it was the stresses of the day that had exacerbated everything. Seeing her sister again for the first time in ages. Seeing her house. And her husband. Abby had rarely had time for boyfriends when she was in London – she’d worked all the time. Matteo se
emed quite a catch and Ellie had been surprised. He was easy to talk to and good-looking – how could she help but notice the latter when he’d been standing in front of her at the sea in all his near-naked glory?

  Abby was also on edge and now, with Susanna here, she’d got worse. Ellie didn’t know why Abby always had to be so cool towards their mother – carrying her childhood resentments around like a pile of rocks on her shoulders. OK, so Susanna had had less time for Abby when they were young, but she had been pretty preoccupied. And now Susanna was trying so hard with Abby, had been so complimentary about the house, but Abby had just blanked her. It had felt a little weird, in fact, her mother being so attentive to her big sister. Usually it was her, Ellie, who got all the affection.

  And then there was that strange conversation in the kitchen earlier. For a moment Ellie had thought her sister and her mother were keeping something from her. She’d gone along with the explanation about a visit to the beach the next day but they’d seemed cagey and she felt there was more to it.

  Argh, tomorrow! There was this boat trip too, something she had to be up early for. At this rate, with no sleep and now feeling nauseous, she was going to miss out. Maybe a glass of water would help.

  Ellie quietly got out of bed and padded down the stairs to the kitchen. She held a beaker under the tap, drank, and then rubbed the cool glass against her forehead. Outside the window she could see the full moon over the front garden, the pine trees lit with a ghostly glow. Something dark flitted across the window and she jumped, then it happened again and she saw it was a bat. Now she’d seen one, she saw many, crossing the sky as they searched for insects. What a beautiful place this was. And it was all Abby’s. Ellie stopped herself; she didn’t want to go there again; hours of boiling resentment would put paid to any hope of sleep.

  She turned and went back upstairs. As she walked across the landing she instantly knew what would relax her. She stopped. Listened. The house was silent. Very carefully she opened the door of what she’d dubbed the ‘painting room’ and went inside. Tucking the copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory under her arm, she made her way back to her room.