**Diary Entry 15th March**
“If only you knew what your precious sister was really up to in London, you wouldnt dare mention her name, let alone boast about her,” I muttered under my breath, stepping away from the cluster of gossiping women. Mum was at it again, bragging to the neighbours about how brilliant our Emily wasacing her exams, even working part-time without asking for a penny.
“Your girls a right clever one, Sarah! Mine just keep draining my wallet,” moaned Mrs. Thompson, shaking her head. “Lucys dead set on marrying the first bloke wholl have her after college, says shell let him foot the bills. And my son? Dont even get me started.”
I rolled my eyes. If only they knew the truth about Emily.
“Did you say something?” Mum shot me a glare, clearly annoyed Id interrupted her gloating session.
“Just that Ive got a presentation due tomorrow,” I lied smoothly. “Maybe save the bragging for another time?”
She huffed but finally relented, much to the relief of the neighbours, whod clearly had enough of Saint Emilys praises.
Little did they know. Little did *she* know.
***
The knock at the door came three days later. A sharp-eyed woman in a tailored coat stood on the step, flanked by two stone-faced men.
“Does an Emily Carter reside here?” Her tone dripped with disdain.
Mum puffed up proudly. “Shes at university in Londontop of her class!”
The woman laughed, cold and mocking. “University? Hardly. She dropped out after her first term. Too busy chasing rich men to bother with lectures.”
Mum went white. “How *dare* you”
“Let them in,” I cut in, voice steady. No point giving the neighbourhood more to whisper about.
Inside, the woman made herself at home while Mum spluttered protests. I stayed calm, though my stomach churned. I *knew* where this was headed.
“Suppose you know her better, then,” the woman drawled. “Care to tell us where shes really living?”
I clenched my jaw. “A flat in Mayfair. Paid for by a man twice her age. Married. Three grown kids. Filthy rich.”
“His name wouldnt happen to be Gregory, would it?”
I swallowed hard. “Let me guessyoure his sister?”
She smirked. “Clever boy. His wifes the daughter of our biggest investor. Shes not fond of his… distractions.”
Mum looked ready to faint. I dashed to fetch her pills, my mind racing.
Later, once the doctor had seen to her, I faced the woman again. “What do you want with Emily?”
“Nothing drastic. Money, introductionsto *eligible* men this time. If shes smart, shell land a decent husband.”
I exhaled, then rang Emilys foul-mouthed friend, spinning some lie about a celebratory gift for her “brilliant grades.” Got the address.
The woman took it with a nod. “Ill keep my word.”
As she left, she made sure the eavesdropping neighbours heard her loud apology for the “misunderstanding.” The gossip still trickled, but Mum shut it down fastthough the shame kept her indoors after that.
Dad and I agreedwe had to move. “Closer to London,” I told the nosy neighbours. “Better doctors there. Mums been poorly.”
Emily never visited. Last I heard, shed married some fool and forgotten us entirely.
**Lesson learned: Pride comes before a fall. And sometimes, the truth hurts less when youre the one holding it.**
