“Listen, George, she’s your sister, but I’m your wife. And I cant stand watching you take from our children to give everything to Eleanor.”
George knew his wife was right. But he couldnt do otherwise. When his sister needed help, he was always the first to lend a handjust as hed done since they were children.
“George, pass me that nail,” seven-year-old Ellie called from the rickety stool beside the old shed.
“Why dyou need a nail?” nine-year-old George frowned.
“Im making a cat house.”
“Again? Last time I helped, the cat wouldnt even go near it, and you sulked for a week.”
“This time itll workIm lining it with fabric.”
Thats how they grew uptwo shoots from the same root. Their mum worked at the factory; their dad was gone too soon. George, though just a boy, became the man of the house. He learned to fix bikes, replace taps, heat up supper.
“George, dyou think Ill grow up to be an actress?”
“You already are one. Yesterday, when you fell and started wailing, then grinned while eating jamthat was a proper performance.”
Years passed. George trained as an electrician, moved to the city, married Catherine.
Ellie went to teachers college, lived in student digs, visited whenever she could.
Catherine only sighed.
“George, your sisters grown. Shouldnt she manage on her own now?”
“Shes not a suitcase to hand off and forget,” George murmured. “Shes my sister.”
After college, Ellie moved to a village for workone cold room in a shabby dormitory, a rusty stove, a pittance of a wage. George visited every holiday.
“I told youbuy a heater.”
“Cant. Need books for the kids at school.”
“I brought you one. And a coat.”
“Wont Catherine be cross?”
“She will. But you wont freeze.”
Then one evening, Ellie called in tears.
“George Im expecting.”
“Well, congrats. Why the tears?”
“Hes gone. Said he wasnt ready.”
“His loss. Hang on. Im coming.”
“You dont have to”
“Ellie. No arguments.”
He was there the next daygroceries, money, a blanket, baby clothes.
“Catherines furious,” he admitted at the kitchen table.
“I dont want to cause trouble”
“Listen. My wifes a good woman, but she didnt raise me.”
“You realise this isnt just replacing a lost phone. This is serious.”
“Thats why Im here.”
George stood by her on the big day, cradling his nephew like treasure.
“Whatll you name him?”
“Matthew.”
“Good name. Hell grow up protecting youlike I did.”
He helped often aftermoney for formula, fixing up her room, a pram. Catherine, meanwhile, grew distant.
One night, she finally spoke.
“George, I dont mind you helping Ellie. But when its always from our budgetthats not support. Its taking from us.”
“I know. But I cant stop.”
“And I cant live feeling like your sister always comes first, and were second.”
George said nothing. He loved them both.
In time, Ellie found her footingstarted a childrens club, earned respect in the village. Matthew grew up quiet, well-mannered.
George visited less, but always brought something.
“Matthew, look what Uncle broughta model kit!”
“Mum says you and Aunt Cathy are getting on, moneys tight shouldnt spend on us.”
“Not that old yet, am I?”
At fifty, George fell seriously ill. Ellie came thenjars of jam, homemade pies, her son in tow.
“Cathy, mind if I tidy? Georges desk is a tip,” Ellie smiled.
“Go on. And leave the pies. He wont eat otherwise.”
“Thats rubbish!” George grumbled from the sofa.
“Course it is. Thats why youve lost half a stone this week”
They laughed like children. And for the first time, Catherine looked at Ellie not with jealousy, but understanding.
“Yknow,” she whispered as Ellie stepped out, “you were right. Shes good. I just thought you were choosing between us.”
“Never had to. Theres room in my heart for you both.”
A year later, George and Catherine welcomed a granddaughter.
Matthew went to uni. Ellie stayed teaching in the village, ringing George every Sunday.
“Howre you?”
“Not bad. Cathys knitting, Im watching telly. You?”
“Matthews homewere off mushroom-picking.”
“Good lad. Turned out honest.”
“Had you to look up to.”
In their twilight years, sitting on the cottage bench, Ellie finally said it.
“Yknow, George I think God gave me you as a brother for a reason. Couldnt have done it without you.”
“And Id be someone else without you. Always been theresince we were kids. Thats not helping. Thats family.”
