Granny Played Favourites
And what about me, Gran? she would ask quietly.
Oh, youll be fine, Katherine. Just look at how rosy your cheeks are, Granny would reply. Walnuts are for clevernessDavid needs them for his studies. Hes a man, our hope for the future.
And you, go on, dust the shelves. A girl ought to learn to work.
Katie, are you serious? Shes slipping away. Doctors say its a matter of days, maybe even hours. Wont you go?
David stood in the kitchen doorway, nervously twisting his car keys in his hands. He looked exhausted.
I mean it, Dave. Would you like a cup of tea? Kate didnt even turn around, slicing apples for her daughter with steady focus. Sit down, Ill make a fresh pot.
Tea, Kate? Really? her brother moved further into the room. Shes lying there, all those tubes, wheezing…
She called for you this morning. Katie, she kept asking, Wheres my Katie? Honestly, I thought youd come. Shes our gran. This is the last chance, dont you see?
Placing the apple slices neatly in a dish, Kate finally looked at her brother.
To you, shes Gran. To her, youre Davey, the apple of her eye, the only heir, the familys hope. But me… for her I never existed.
Do you really think I need some grand farewell? What would we say, Dave? What am I to forgive her? Or she me?
Let it go, Kate! Childhood grudges dont matter now, David spat, dropping his keys on the table. Sure, she didnt love you like she did me. So what? Shes old, she had her quirks. But shes dying. Dont be cruel.
Im not cruel, Dave. I just dont feel anything for her. You go. Hold her hand, spend time with her. Shed value it a hundred times more than my being there. Youve always been her golden boy. Shine for her till the end.
David looked at his sister, turned, and left, shutting the door behind him.
Kate sighed, took the plate of apples, and carried it to the nursery.
***
In their house, things were always shared fairly. Their mum and dad loved Kate and Dave the same. The house was full of laughter, delicious baking, and lively outings.
But Granny Edith was cut from a different cloth.
Davey, come here, poppet, shed coo when they visited her at the weekend. Look what Ive saved for youEnglish walnuts, I shelled them myself! And Lion Bars, your favourite!
Seven-year-old Kate would stand by and watch as Gran reached into the old pantry for the treasured bag.
What about me, Gran? she would ask in a small voice.
Granny Edith would glance at her, sharp and dismissive.
Youll be grand, Katherine. Look at those cheeks.
Walnuts make you cleverDavid has his learning, hes the man. You, go on, dust the shelves. A girl needs to learn to work.
David, red with embarrassment, would take the bag and shuffle off, while Kate did as she was told.
Yet Kate never felt bitter. Oddly, she saw it as just another quirk of fatelike rain falling or Gran loving Dave more. Thats just how things were.
Usually, David would be waiting for her in the hallway.
Here, hed slip her half his chocolates and a palmful of walnuts. Just dont let her see, or the old grumbles will start.
You need them more, for your cleverness, Kate would grin.
Oh, never mind that, David would pull a face. Shes bonkers. Quick, eat up.
Theyd sit on the stairs to the attic, crunching their forbidden loot together. David always sharedhe always did.
When Gran secretly pressed a couple of pounds into Davids hand for ice cream, he would come running to Kate.
I say, theres enough for two 99s and a bubblegum with a sticker. Fancy a trip?
It was Davids affection that made up for Granny’s coldness, and Kate never really noticed any lack.
Time passed, and Granny Edith grew older. When David turned eighteen, she declared shed sign over her spare two-bedroom flat in the centre of Bath to him.
A man must have his own roof over his head, she proclaimed at the family gathering. So he can bring a wife home, not sleep in corners.
Mum just sighed. She knew her mothers stubborn streak too well, so she didnt argue, but that evening she quietly joined Kate in her room.
Love, please understand We see it all. Your dad and Iwhat weve saved for a new car and for moving somewhere biggerwell give it to you. A deposit on your own place. Its only fair.
Mum, honestly, its alright, Kate hugged her. David and Iris are getting married soon. He needs it more. Ill make do in the student halls for now.
Kate, no. We cant let Gran play favourites. Were your parents. You take it, dont argue.
But Kate refused.
David moved into Grannys gift of a flat not long after his wedding. The old three-bedroom at home felt much bigger.
Kate took over his old room, filled it with her books and an easel, and felt, for the first time, how wonderful it was to live where love wasnt split into right and wrong.
Inheritance didnt come between the siblings. If anything, David seemed more awkwardly apologetic than ever.
Pop over, wont you, Kate? hed say, dropping by for tea. Iris baked scones. And Granny rang yesterday to ask if Id spent her hard-earned on you.
And what did you say?
Told her I blew the lot on fruit machines and fancy whisky, David grinned. She huffed for three minutes, then muttered, Thats your Katies influence, you know!
Obviously, Kate would smile. Who else could it be?
***
When Kate married Oliver and their little girl was born, the question of a home became urgent. Mum showed her usual knack for diplomacy.
Listen, loves, she said. Weve the roomy flat, Dave has Grannys, but you and Oliver are still renting. Lets swapDad and Ill downsize to the one-bed, and you two can take the two-bed.
Mum, David interrupted, Ill step out of my share altogether. Im sorted, thanks to Grans flat. Kate should have everythingtheir familys growing, they need it.
David, are you sure? Oliver looked stunned. Thats a lot of money. You really want to?
I do. Kate and I always shared everything. Gran already picked me for everything under the sun, so this makes it fair. No arguments.
This time, Kate criednot for the space, but with gratitude for an elder brother so good.
They went ahead with the arrangement, and everyone was happy.
Mum would come to help with her granddaughter. David, Iris, and their boys visited every weekend.
Granny Edith lived alone. David did her shopping, sorted her utilities, sat through her endless grumbling about sore bones and ungrateful Katie.
She ever call? Gran would ask, lips pursed. Ever check on my blood pressure?
Gran, you never gave her a chance, hed reply gently. You never had a kind word for her. Why would she call?
I was raising her right! Gran would say bracingly. A woman should know her place! But hersee, she snatched the flat, pushed her mother out
David knew better than to argue.
***
Kate would sit in her kitchen, brief childhood scenes flickering through her mind.
Gran swatting away her hand from the jam jar. Gran praising Davids messy drawing and ignoring Kates certificate for the maths competition.
Gran sitting like a queen at Davids wedding but not showing face at Kates, claiming illness.
Mummy, why dont we go to Gran Ediths? her daughter asked one day. Uncle David said shes very poorly.
Because Granny Edith only wants to see Uncle David, love, Kate gently stroked her daughters hair. Its just easier for her that way.
Is she mean? The little girl squinted suspiciously.
No, Kate said thoughtfully. She just didnt know how to love everyone at once. Some hearts only have room for one person. It happens.
That evening, her brother called.
Shes gone, Kate. An hour ago.
Im so sorry, Dave. You must be heartbroken. I know it hurts.
She waited for you till the end, he lied. But Kate knewit was a white lie, born from kindness. She said, I hope Katie will be alright.
Thank you, Dave Come over tomorrow. Well have a cup of tea, bake a pie.
I will Kate, do you regret it? Not going to see her?
Kate didnt pretend.
No, Dave. I dont regret it. Why would I? Neither of us needed to see each other at the end
Her brother was silent for a moment.
Maybe youre right, he sighed. Youve always been the most sensible of us. See you tomorrow.
The funeral was quiet. Kate was there for her mum and brother; she stood a little apart in her black coat, staring at the dreary-grey sky that always seemed to press low over the churchyard. She didnt cry as they lowered the coffin.
Her brother walked over and put his arm around her.
How are you?
Im alright, Dave. Truly.
You know, he hesitated, I found a little box in her flat. There were old photos. Lots of you as a childsnipped from the whole family pictures, but kept together. As if she treasured them, really.
Kate raised her eyebrows in surprise.
But why?
No idea. Maybe deep down, she did feel somethingshe just couldnt show it. Or maybe she thought being fair to you would take away from me. Old people are odd like that.
Maybe, Kate replied, but it doesnt matter now.
They walked out of the cemetery beneath one umbrellathe sturdy David and delicate Kate.
Look, David said as they reached their cars, Ive decidedIll sell the old flat. Ill get a three-bed for us, set something aside for the boys, and the restwhat do you think about a charity donation? Or funding a wing at the childrens hospital? Let all that Grannys money bring someone simple joy
Kate looked at her brother, a genuine, warm smile breaking across her face for the first time in days.
You know what, Dave That would be the best revenge on Gran Edith. The kindest revenge in the world.
So its settled?
Settled.
They drove their separate ways. As Kate went through the city, music playing, she felt a sense of stillness settle inside her.
Perhaps her brother was rightlet that money help some child in need. And maybe that, in the end, is what truly balances the scales.
