Alls Fair
The whole family gathered, every branch at the table. As always, the reason for this assembly wore the disguise of a family dinner, but the true motive rustled quietly beneath the plates and idle chattermoney. Lily, daughter of Granny Dorothy and mother to Alice and Anthony, fingered her grandmothers old handkerchiefs, the kind Granny used to wrap up her notes. Granny could no longer manage anything of her own, she remembered no one, recognised even less, but Lily, out of habit, continued to tuck her pension into those same cloth bundles.
Oh honestly, Lily lamented, her voice rising above the clatter, theyve gone again. At least two hundred poundsmissing! I counted it myself, Im not mistaken! Where does it keep disappearing? Mum, do you remember how much was in here?
Granny Dorothy turned, though not towards her daughter but instead to stare dreamily at the faded photograph of her late husband on the mantelpiece.
Oh, Peter its all so lovely she sighed, glancing at her granddaughter Jenny, And you, sweetheart, dont meddle with my sweets, theyre for the guests Wheres Tony gone to? At school?
Lily bundled the notes. Of course her mother couldnt recall the amount, but Lily was convinced: someone was stealing it. The thought was absurdonly the family ever came herebut some cunning hand was thieving. And from whom! A helpless old woman.
Anthony soon arrived, as if conjured by Grannys muddled memory.
Whats this? Funeral talk at a family do? he mocked, tossing his car keys aside.
His mothers eyes grew glassy.
Oh Anthony, love, disaster! Grannys money is gone again Ive been putting every penny of her pension away in this cabinet for months Someones pinching it!
Anthony scanned the faces, sceptical. His mother trusted everyone; Anthony trusted no one.
Money vanishing, you say? he drawled, eyes narrowing, Funny. I think I know where its vanishing to.
He stepped into the hall and returned lugging Alices stripy shopping bag. Before she could so much as blink, Anthony unzipped it and, ignoring her gasps and Lilys protests, upended its contents onto the battered old plastic tablecloth.
Out rolled lipstick, keys, a mirror and cold, hard cash.
Scattered like Monopoly moneywrinkled, unmistakable notes. Two hundred pounds, in fifties and tens.
Look! Anthony proclaimed, waving a tenner in the air, When I came in, I knocked her bag and this fell out. Ten-pound notes! And look at thesedont they seem familiar?
Auntie Grace, who had been silently forking cucumber, choked on a lump of salad and coughed fit to wake the dead.
On closer inspection, each note bore a faint blue stripe of ballpoint ink.
Remember, Anthony pressed on, last month when Mum was counting the cash and little Benny drew on them with his pen? Here they arethe very notes, Grannys pension!
Everyones eyes swung in on Alice.
Alice, statue-still moments ago, flinched.
Anthony, what are you doing?
Me? He feigned innocence. I did nothing! I claimed I found the money when your bag tumbled. Very recognisable money, too!
Alice realised there was no time for outrage. She must defend herself.
It isnt mine! she cried, jumping up and jostling the table.
Even Granny Dorothy turned toward the noise.
Whos that clattering? she mumbled, Where are my slippers?
All eyesnine pairspinned Alice to her seat.
Alice, darling, Lily said, pushing up from her chair, How could you? Why? You have a job, I help you But stealing from Granny?
Mum, I swear, I havent taken anything!
Then who has? Anthony demanded sharply, Youre always around, caring for Granny, as you say. Everyone else barely visits. Mum has access, but shed never do such a thing. It can only be you.
Alice shuffled backwards as if expecting blows.
I promise, I never touched it!
She looked at her mother, hoping for a flicker of belief. But Lilys stare turned icy.
Youre lying Lily whispered, How could you
I love Granny! Alices voice cracked as tears welled, I only ever came to help her! I truly never took the money!
Logic, stubborn and cold, sided against her. The notes had fallen from her bag. No other suspects.
This is it then. Settled, Anthony pronounced, finality heavy in the air, How grim, Alice. You could have askedwed have helped. But stealing from a defenceless granny No one expected this from you.
That evening, Alice was shown the doorher life upended in an instant. No one heard her out. No one wanted to listen. Her mother, a little softened, pleaded with relatives to lay off, but
Dont let her back, Lily! Auntie Grace hissed over the phone as Lily tried to reason, The shame! Even if Mother forgets everything, think how it would pain her to know what Alices become
So Lily obeyed, nearly ceasing to speak to her own daughter. Alices calls were met with terse, breathless responses: busy, later, not now.
Alice tried to fightcalled and texted every relative, but once her voice was recognised, lines went dead. She attempted her own investigation, but no one would have her in, no one listened, no one cared to open Grannys door to her.
Only her mother agreed to meet.
Mum, please, Alice near begged, I know it sounds like a pathetic excuse, but I swear to youit wasnt me! Why wont you believe me?
Lilys sadness weighed heavier than the rest of them. She was, after all, her mother.
Alice it hurts me too. But the money was in your bag. Lets not discuss it anymore. If only Id seen, we might forget itbut the family wont forgive Not after all Grannys done for you.
But Im innocent! Maybe the notes fell in before? Maybe from some other bag, or somebody else
Enough! Lily snapped, Youre my daughter, I want to believe you. But facts are facts! They make you look like a thief!
With that condemnation, Lily slipped away, leaving Alice on the cold street.
She wasnt even allowed to say goodbye to Granny.
But she bided her time, waited for the dust to settle and travelled to Grannys flat, hoping her mother was now in. Sometimes, Lily would talk, even if only a little. Perhaps, just now, Alice might break through.
But it was Anthony who met her at the door.
He was so tall her neck ached to see his eyes. Perhaps, she thought, its best that its him.
Anthony, Alice pleaded, please, can we talk? Just once.
Oh, Alice, still hung up on your good name? Forget it. Her brother regarded her with distant amusement. May as well confess and hope for forgiveness.
But Alice wouldnt apologise for what she never did.
No. I want the truth. Maybe you were mistaken. Maybe the money fell from another bag? Out of a pocket? Thinktry to remember.
Anthonys eyes turned glacial.
Mistaken? Alice, are you truly so naïve? He leaned closer, almost whispering. Of course, I know you didnt steal it. I put it in your bag myself.
The world spun black.
What The word was hollow.
Just like that.
Why? It defied belief. Why would you do that?
Because, little sister, when it comes to inheritance, alls fair. Granny had maybe six months left, you saw. This flat, remember, it was re-registered in Mums name to avoid solicitor trouble. But then came another problem. Mumsoft-hearted as she iswanted it to go to you.
Alices thoughts eddied in dreamlike confusion.
But why?
Because every night, dearest Alice, he sneered, you came for Grannyfeeding her, tidying, reading nonsense stories she didnt even understand. The ideal granddaughter. Mum saw and adored you for it. She thought you deserved the whole lot Why? Arent I family? Dont I deserve anything? So, I decided you needed some competition.
I never did it for the flat! Alice cried, his confession burning bitter, I did it for Granny! I love her!
He scoffed.
Oh dont give us the angel act, Alice. Were all human. You put on the martyr routine for sympathy and a place to live. But I outmanoeuvred you. One-all.
Alice said nothing, so Anthony finished the story for her.
Now, youre marked a thief. Mum wont turn her back on meIm the golden boy. Youre the black sheep. And the flat? Clearly mine. You cant even cross the threshold now.
You absolute she said quietly.
Thats just the way, love. Farewellinheritance secured.
He opened the door.
Alice didnt move. Yes, she could have used the flatrenting in town was absurd, and buying something of her own was a far-off fantasy. But still, what mattered most was love for Granny. She remembered the old woman, confused and fading, once stroking her cheek: Glad you came, my darling. You remind me of my Peter.
To clear her name now, she would have to prove Anthony lied. But how?
She couldnt.
Stepping outside, she closed the door for good. In a year, no one would remember shed never done wrong. All anyone would say was: Alice stole from her dying grandmother.
Anthony had already won, and she knew he was toasting his victory.
