Ill pay you back, I swear.
Harriet, Im sorry, but theres nothing I can do for you. Nothing.
Victoria tried to keep her voice steady, but irritation was already bubbling inside. Her sisterinlaw stood in the middle of the sitting room, fidgeting, a look of helplessness on her face.
How can you say that? Harriet burst into tears, the sobs shaking her shoulders. I have the most important job interview tomorrow! The most important! And Ive got nothing suitable to wear!
Victoria let out a weary sigh. Harriet always knew how to wring a tear out at the right moment.
Your wardrobe is full, by the way she added dryly.
But theres nothing I can wear! Harriet wailed, wiping her nose with her sleeve. I need to look serious and expensive, not like a schoolgirl in old jeans and tees!
Harriets sobs grew louder, her voice quivering with feigned desperation. She pressed her palms to her chest as if praying.
If I dont get the job Ill be broke! Its a brilliant offer and I wont find anything better!
Harriet, whats happened? Michael walked into the living room, having heard his sisters cries.
Victoria felt a knot tighten. Now her sisterinlaw would get support.
Michael, can you imagine Harriet turned to her brother, Ive got an interview tomorrow and Victoria wont lend me any clothes! What a miser youve got!
Michael frowned, looking at his wife in disbelief.
Victoria, were family. Is it really that hard to share?
Michael, these are my personal items, Victoria started, but he cut her off. Whats wrong with you? Harriets asking for help in a pinch, and you act like a… a miser.
Harriet dabbed at her tears, eyes fixed on Michael with gratitude. Victoria pressed her lips together. The pressure from both sides was unbearable.
Victoria, please, please the sisterinlaw begged. Ill be careful, I wont ruin anything. Ill return everything in perfect condition, I swear!
Michael nodded, backing his sister.
Of course shell bring it back. Whats the fuss? Its just clothes.
Victoria knew opposition was futile. Under the double onslaught she gave in.
Fine, take what you like, she growled through clenched teeth and headed toward the bedroom.
She stopped at the wardrobe, eyeing her own stuff. Her hand drifted to a darkblue trouser suit shed bought for special occasions and only worn a couple of times.
Here, she returned to the sitting room with the suit on a hanger.
Harriet snatched the garment, pressing it to her chest, smoothing the fabric.
Oh, its gorgeous! Thank you so much! Ill feel like a queen in this! No, like Princess Diana
But a second later her expression shifted.
And the shoes? That suit needs proper shoes.
Harriet Victoria began to protest.
And a bit of jewellery wouldnt hurt, Harriet continued, ignoring her sisterinlaws tone. And a handbag! An elegant bag, otherwise the whole look falls apart!
Shes right, Michael added. You cant go to an interview in trainers.
Victoria clenched her fists. Harriets cheek had no limits, and her husband backed her blindly.
Alright, Victoria muttered and went back to the bedroom.
From the shoe compartment she pulled a pair of black pumps with a modest heel, opened a jewellery box and chose simple pearl earrings with a tiny pendant, then fetched a small black leather clutch from the hallway.
Thats everything you need. Underwear, I assume youll manage that yourself? she retorted, handing Harriet the remaining items.
Oh, youre a lifesaver! Harriet clapped her hands, the sarcasm sliding past unnoticed. Ill return everything in perfect shape, I promise!
She gathered the items in a heap and rushed toward the door, clearly fearing Victoria might change her mind.
Thanks again, Harriet shouted from the doorway and vanished.
Michael wrapped his arms around Victorias shoulders.
See how happy she is? Why did you resist such a simple request? Whats the worst that could happen to your suit? She wont eat it.
I just dont like sharing personal things with strangers, Victoria replied honestly.
Strangers? Michael protested. Shes my own sister! Not some girl off the street.
To me shes a stranger, and you know that.
Michael shook his head and drifted to the kitchen, muttering about female selfishness.
A week later, Victoria kept putting off calling Harriet, but her patience finally snapped.
Hello, Harriet? When are you going to return my things?
A disgruntled snort crackled on the other end.
Oh hi, Vicky. Listen, something unfortunate happened
What now? Victoria asked, wary.
Well I accidentally spilled coffee on the suit, Harriet stammered. Theres a stain now. I tried to get it out, but nothing works.
What?! Victoria shot up.
And the bag was stolen right from my hands on the street! And the shoes the heel snapped when I chased after the thief! Ill bring the earrings back later, okay?
Victoria could barely believe her ears. How could everything go wrong at once?
Harriet, how could all of this Are you joking? This must be a joke, right?
Sorry, Vicky, Ive got an urgent call! Lets talk later! Harriet cut her off and hung up.
Victoria stared at the phone, bewildered. Harriet was spinning an elaborate lie, and Victoria had no proof.
A month later Harriet turned up at their door, looking even more dishevelled.
Victoria, help! Ive got a corporate function and Ive got nothing to wear!
Oh, youre still the pennypincher, aren’t you? So confident after what happened last time? Victoria replied coolly. Not a chance.
Please! I promise Ill be extra careful this time!
No, dont ask again, Victoria snapped, closing the door in Harriets stunned face.
That evening Michael came home in a sour mood.
What are you doing? he snapped at his wife. Harriet called, crying! How could you treat her like that?
I could have, Victoria answered calmly. Im not going to hand over my things again.
What, youre sorry for some clothes? She asked for help!
Michael, your sister ruined my expensive suit and everything else!
Its just a suit! Well buy you a new one!
On your salary? Victoria retorted sharply.
Michael was taken aback but didnt back down.
Youre just jealous, Victoria! Shes young, pretty and your clothes look better on her!
Thats how you talk! Go to your lovely sister, if she means more to you than your wife!
They argued late into the night, but Victoria held her ground.
A few days later she returned home early from work. Opening the bedroom, she gasped. The wardrobe doors were flung open, clothes strewn across the bed, hangers tangled with garments.
With trembling hands she began gathering the pieces. It quickly became clear that her favourite burgundy evening dress, a new pair of kittenheel pumps, gold sapphire earrings, and a tiny pearlclasp clutch were missing.
She dialled Michael straight away.
Michael, whats going on? Did you wreck our wardrobe? Where are my things?
Oh, Harriet stopped by, he replied calmly. I let her take whatever she liked. Shell bring it all back tomorrow.
Are you out of your mind? Victoria shrieked.
Well, you refused to share, so she took what she wanted! Shell return everything tomorrow, I promise.
Victoria hung up, grabbed the car keys, and sped to Harriets flat.
When Harriet opened the door, her face was stunned.
Vicky
Where are my things? Victoria hissed through clenched teeth.
What things? I didnt take anything Harriet pretended innocence.
Victoria pushed past her and entered the flat. In the bedroom she flung open the wardrobe and froze.
There, on a hanger, hung the very stained trouser suit, immaculate. Beside it lay the broken shoes, still perfect, and the stolen clutch, untouched. Freshly taken pieces of Victorias wardrobe were also there.
You you just lied! Victoria whispered. Nothing was ruined or lost! I knew it!
Harriet lunged for the door, but Victoria blocked her.
Stop! Explain why you lied!
I I didnt want to give the clothes back, Harriet stammered. I liked them too much
Youre a brazen thief! Victoria exploded, pulling Harriets belongings from the wardrobe.
Dont insult me! Harriet shouted. Im not a thief; I owe you nothing!
You owe me everything! And if you ever get near my things again, youll answer to me and my brother! Understood?
Victoria lugged the bag of her stuff toward the exit.
Thank me for not calling the police right now!
Michael was waiting at the door, looking bewildered.
Victoria, Harriet called, was crying She says you threatened her, insulted her
Threatened? Victoria placed the bag on the floor. Shes the one who stole from me! She should have gotten a good slap. She lies about ruined clothes!
She held up the suit, showing the pristine fabric, and the shoes that hadnt broken.
Michael stared at the undamaged items in silence.
Michael, listen carefully, Victoria said firmly. One more stunt from your sister and Im out. Forever. Decide what matters more: our marriage or the whims of this brazen thief.
Michaels face went pale. He could hear the resolve in his wifes voice.
I I didnt know she was lying, I swear he muttered.
Now you know. And remember: no one touches my things without my permission. Theyre mine, not communal property for your relatives.
Michael nodded without meeting her eyes. Victoria no longer cared about Harriets feelings. Let her buy her own clothes.
