Charlie, have you fetched the best china? The set with the gold trim, not the everyday one. And do check the napkins, pleaseI starched them so theyd stand up straight, just like in a proper restaurant, Lily busied herself in the kitchen, smoothing a stray curl from her hair. The oven suffused the house with the scent of roast duck with apples, the hob simmered with vegetables for the hot side, and the fridge was jam-packed with salads shed spent the night chopping.
Charlie, Lilys husband, obediently clambered onto a chair to get to the top cupboard.
Lil, honestly, must we be so formal? Its just familyMum, Aunt Daphne, and Rob. You could serve them from a tin pan and as long as you poured out the wine, theyd sing your praises, he grumbled, pulling down the box marked chinado not use.
Dont moan. Today is our anniversary, fifteen yearsa crystal anniversary, if you please! I want it perfect. Besides, you know what your brother is like. If the plates are plain, hell say weve fallen on hard times. If theres a chip, were slobs. Best to give him no ammunition for those tasteless jokes, for once.
Charlie heaved a sigh as he descended, box in hand. He knew she was right. His older brother, Robert, was a challenging character, to be polite, though when Lily confided in her friends, she called him a prize boorsomeone who wore his lack of manners like a badge of working-class pride.
Justpleasedont let him get to you tonight, Charlie murmured, drying the plates with a tea towel. Hes not having the best patchsacked from work, his wifes left him. Hes as ornery as an old dog.
Charlie, his bad patch has lasted forty years. And she left him because her survival instinct finally kicked in, Lily sniffed, tasting her sauce. Ill be civil as long as Im able. But if he takes a swing at my weight or your payslip again, all bets are off.
Right on the stroke of five, the doorbell rang. First in was Charlies mum, Pamelaa gentle woman who thought the world of her boys, especially her eldest. Then Aunt Daphne and Uncle Graham arrived, taking off coats and offering hugs that smelled of potpourri. And, true to form, Robert strolled in a full forty minutes late, just as the salads were wilting and everyone had given up hope.
He burst in, bursting also with noise, cheap aftershave and the chill of an English December.
Oi oi, look whos here! Bet you thought I wouldnt show up! His booming laugh filled the little terrace. Charlie boy, thought Id skint out on a present? There you go!
He shoved a newspaper bundle into Charlies hands.
Whats this? Charlie blinked, confused.
That, mate, Robert crowed, is a proper tool kit from Poundland. Every house needs oneespecially as youre all thumbs and cant find a hammer to save your life.
Lily, coming to greet him, forced a smile.
Hello, Rob. Go and wash up, will you? Were all waiting.
Robert looked her up and down with a leer that made Lily want to shiver as though someone had tipped ice water down her back.
Wow, Lils. Dressed up for the Queen, are we? That a new frock? Shiny, like a Quality Street wrapper. Or is it meant to distract from the laugh lines? Kidding, love. Got to say, though, youre a nice bit of stuff. Proper sturdy.
Charlie coughed, desperate to move things along.
Rob, sit down. The ducks getting cold.
Straight away at table, Robert seized command. He poured himself a double vodkanever mind the toastsand forked up a lump of kipper.
Happy anniversary, lovebirds! Fifteen years, crikey. Howve you not throttled each other? My Clare only put up with me for five before I was ready to swing from the rafters. Women, eh? Bloodsuckers, the lotsuck you dry. Still, Charlie, you lucked out: at least Lily can cook. Or can she… He chewed and pulled a face. Heavy on the salt, Lily. Fallen for someone, or just lost your touch in your old age?
Pamela smiled at him, placating.
Oh Rob, thats not fair. Lilys cooking is delicious. Try the tongue salad, darling. Its lovely.
Tongue, is it? Robert guffawed. Fitting for Lilyshes got a sharp one. But seriously, Mum, you shouldnt mollycoddle her. Bit of honest criticism never hurt anyone. Its why people respect meI say it how it is.
As Lily set the dishes, a slow boil of irritation started inside. Charlie hid behind his plate, deeply invested in the tablecloths pattern. Scared of his brother, scared of a scene, scared of ruining the occasion.
Just this evening, thought Lily, Just keep breathing. This is for Charlie. For Mum.
So Rob, hows work going? she asked, searching for safer ground. You mentioned an interview last week?
Rob waved this aside, pouring himself another.
Dont ask, rubbish lot. Showed up, little squirttwenty-five at bestasking me if I was IT literate. I told him, Listen, mate, I was earning before you could spell your name. Didnt fancy me. Not fussed. Maybe Ill start my own business. Just need some cash to get goingspeaking of which, Charlie, any chance of a quick fifty till next month? Pipes are leaking, got to get it sorted.
Lily froze with the salad bowl suspended.
Rob, you still havent paid back the £200 you borrowed six months ago for your car, she said softly.
Rob flushed and went on the attack.
Oh, and here comes the accountant! Cor, Charlie, she keeps you on a tight lead, doesnt she? Im asking my brother, not you. Us men sort things out for ourselves. Or are you so henpecked you cant even help your own kin?
Charlie darted his eyes, guilt bouncing between Lily and Rob.
Rob, honestly, were a bit strapped. Just paid off the mortgage, and this spread wasnt cheap
Some spread! Robert interrupted, jabbing towards the duck. Living the high lifered fish, red caviar. Must be raking it in. And tight as anything with your own brother. Thats Lily for youalways a hoarder; never mind the relatives scraping by.
Dont, Rob, Pamela tried. Just enjoy the food. Lily worked so hard.
Oh, worked hard? I know what shes like. Probably does her best work trying to impress the boss these days, eh? Robert winked at Charlie with such lechery that Lily felt her stomach drop. Heard you got a promotion, Lily? Deputy now, are you? Funny, thatwonder what magic you pulled? Out late again, working?
A ringing silence hit the table. Even Aunt Daphne stopped chewing. Charlie flushed crimson.
Rob, can you not? he said, low.
What, Im just saying what everyones thinking but no one dares to say! Robert was rolling now, vodka stoking his tongue. Youre a mug, Charlieslugging away for pennies while she gets on in her career. Dyou really think she loves you? Shes only with you out of pity. Or because youre easy to push around. Fetch this, do that. Look at you, man; wheres your backbone?
Stop it, Lilys voice was icy, hands trembling as she set down the bowl.
Oho, the Empress speaks! Rob sneered. Truth hurts? Never could understand what Charlie saw in you. No looks, a vinegar set of lungs. Clarenow, she was a looker. Pity shes gone, or not, the cow. But at least she was fit. Youjust a mouse that thinks shes queen because shes got a soft-arsed husband under her thumb.
Lily looked at Charlie. Waiting. Hoping hed stand up, bang the table, order Rob out. But Charlie slouched, gripping his fork so hard his knuckles blanched. Paralysed by a lifetime of submission to Robs bluster.
Well, thought Lily, if you wont, then I will.
She got to her feet, straightening her dress, and spoke in a calm, frosty voice that made even deaf Uncle Graham pause mid-mouthful.
Get up and leave.
Rob snorted mid-laugh.
You what? Gone barmy, have you?
I said get up. Get out of my house. Now.
Its Charlies house too! Rob squealed. Charlie, you hearing this? Tell heryour own brother!
Charlie looked up, agony in his eyes. Watching Lily, her pale determined face, realising that if he sat shyly now, their marriage would soon be in pieces rather than crystal.
Rob, he choked. Please. Go.
Robs jaw dropped. Hed braced himself for tears, rows, tantrumsnot the two united.
You what? You pair are having a laugh! Mum, you see this? Kicking out your own blood! Over a joke!
That wasnt joking, Rob, Lily had come round the table, pointing at the door. You insulted me, humiliated your brother in his home, at his own table. You eat our food, drink our wine, and pour scorn over both. Fifteen years Ive kept quiet to keep the peace in this family. But theres no peace leftjust your bullying, and our patience run thin. Get out.
Stuff you lot! Rob leapt up, knocking over a glass. Red wine seeped across the white tablecloth like a wound. Hope you choke on your posh dinners! Bloody snobs! I wont set foot here again!
I should hope not, snapped Lily. And you can forget about any more loans. Find a proper job, businessman.
Robs face boiled scarlet. He grabbed the half-empty vodka (No sense wasting ityou could see in his greedy glare), tucked it under his arm, and clomped towards the hall.
Youll regret this, Charlie! his parting shout echoed from the landing. Choosing a woman over your own brother! Henpecked wimp! He spat. The door slammed so hard the glassware chimed in the sideboard.
A heavy silence settled, wrapped everything like cotton wool. Only the clock ticked. Pamela sat dabbing her lips with a hanky, blinking away tears.
Lily was it really necessary? He doesnt mean harm just speaks out of turn. Had too much, thats all.
Lily turned to her, hands shaking but her tone steady.
Pamela, out of turn is when someone laughs too loud. But when you insult a woman and make your brother feel worthlesswell, thats not absent-minded, thats being a villain. Im done making my house a bin for his trash talk. If you want to pity him, its your right as a mother. But not here, and not at my dinner table.
Pamela sniffled quietly. Aunt Daphne, ever practical, tapped her fork against the plate, breaking the tension.
Ducks lovely, Lily! Just melts in your mouth. And well done youabout time someone put that oaf in his place. He still hasnt apologised for ruining my shoes at your wedding, and that was donkeys years ago! Charlie, pass the wine, I need it after all this.
Everyone chuckled, tension lifting. Charlie sprang up, pouring with shaky hands, and looked at Lilythankful, and in a way she hadnt seen for a long timerespectful.
Sorry he murmured, pouring her juice. I should have
Its all right, she squeezed his hand. Were together. Thats what matterstogether, and without him.
The rest of the evening was strangely cosy. Without Rob, the air felt cleaner. Conversation flowed, people laughedkindly this time. Pamela mended eventually, warmed by sloe gin and Aunt Daphnes rendition of an old music hall song.
When everyone left, Lily and Charlie stood over a mountain of plates. Lily slumped by the wine-stained cloth.
I doubt Ill ever get this clean, she said, a little sadly, Mums present and all.
Charlie hugged her from behind.
Oh, never mind the tablecloth. Well buy anotheror ten. You were incredible tonight. All these years, Ive just gone along. Hes my older brotherbarked orders, nicked my stuff, made the rules. Mum always said, Let Rob have his wayhes complicated. So I did.
I know, Charlie. Bad habits are hard to break. But were a familycrystal, fragile but beautiful. I wont let him smash it, not even with a toolkit from Poundland.
Nervous laughter broke the tension.
And speaking of that toolkit, Charlie fished out Robs present, which hed forgotten about. Funny thinghe gave me an identical one for Christmas three years ago! Mustve taken it back and regifted it.
Lily managed a smile. Consistency above all, she said.
The next morning, Charlies phone buzzed to life: Rob, of course. Charlie eyed the screen, then looked at Lily, serene over her coffee and book. He pressed the volume down and laid the phone face-down.
Arent you going to answer?
No. Let him sleep it off. Might not answer at all, to be honest. The silence last night was glorious.
Mum will be upset, Lily pointed out.
Shell survive. Good for her to see Ive got teeth. Well, we have. Were a proper gang now, arent we?
A gang, Lily agreed. A gang for peace and apples with duck.
A week later, Lily heard through Pamela that Rob was spinning yarns about being thrown out for nothing by a madwoman while poor Charlie cowered under the table. The relatives nodded along, tutting, but oddly, more started popping round to visit Lily and Charlie, and all seemed very polite and civil. Word had spread, it seemed: rudeness was no longer welcome in this housebetter than any burglar alarm.
And the tablecloth, for the record, came clean. Lily treated the stain with her grans old tricksalt and boiling water. A dash of effort, a bit of sting, and everything was shining again. Just like her home, now Rob was gone.
