God, why does she have to say it like that? Debt. Like it’s some kind of plague. Like I’m about to go to the workhouse. This is the twenty-first century. Everyone’s in debt.
“You know how doctors make the worst patients?” I say with a little laugh. “Well, financial journalists make the worst… er…”
I wait for her to laugh too, or at least give a sympathetic smile. But she just looks appalled.
This whole exchange is beginning to rankle. OK, so I may have had the odd debt in my time. But she doesn’t have to look so disapproving.
“By the way, Jess,” says Gary. “We’ve run into a tiny glitch with that program.”
“Really?” Jess looks up. “I’ll come and have a look if you like.”
“Are you sure?” Gary glances at me. “We don’t want to interrupt your evening… ”
“It’s fine,” I say, waving my hand. “Go ahead!”
When they’ve all disappeared into the study I wander along the corridor and into the sitting room. I slump down on the sofa and stare miserably at the blank television.
Jess and I haven’t bonded one bit.
We don’t get on. That’s the truth.
Suddenly I’m weary with disappointment. I’ve been trying so hard ever since she arrived. I’ve been making every effort. I bought the picture of the cave… and I prepared all those yummy snacks… and I tried to plan the best evening I could. And she hasn’t even tried to join in. OK, so maybe she didn’t like any of my films. But she could have pretended, couldn’t she? If it was me, I would have pretended.
Why does she have to be such a misery? Why can’t she just have fun?
As I gulp my champagne, resentment is growing inside me.
How can she hate shopping? How? She’s got thirty thousand pounds, for God’s sake! She should adore shopping! And another thing — why is she so obsessed with potatoes? What’s so great about bloody potatoes?
I just don’t understand her. She’s my sister, but I don’t understand one single thing about her. Luke was right all along. It is all nurture. Nature doesn’t come into it.
I start dejectedly leafing through the videos. Maybe I’ll watch one of them on my own. And have some popcorn. And some of those yummy Thorntons chocolates.
Jess probably doesn’t even eat chocolate. Unless it’s chocolate she’s made herself, out of potatoes.
Well, good for her. I’m going to stuff my face and watch a nice movie.
I’m just reaching for Pretty Woman when the phone rings.
“Hello?” I say, picking up.
“Hello, Bex?” comes a familiar high-pitched voice. “It’s me.”
“Suze!” I feel a huge rush of joy. “Oh my God! Hi! How are you?”
“Oh, I’m fine! Are you OK?”
“I’m fine! I’m fine!”
Suddenly with all my heart I wish Suze were here. Like the old days in Fulham. I miss her so much. So much.
“So, how was the spa with Lulu?” I ask, trying to sound casual.
“It was… fine,” she says after a pause. “You know. Kind of… a bit different… but fun!”
“Good!”
There’s an awkward silence.
“And… and I was wondering how it’s all going with your new sister,” Suze says hesitantly. “Are you… are you really good friends?”
I can’t admit the truth to Suze. I just can’t admit the whole thing’s been a failure. That she goes on spa trips with her new friend, but I can’t even manage one evening with my own sister.
“It’s great!” I say. “Couldn’t be better! We’re getting on so well!”
“Really?” says Suze, sounding a bit crushed.
“Absolutely! In fact, we’re having a girls’ night in together right now! Watching movies… having a laugh… just hanging out. You know!”
“What are you watching?” says Suze at once.
“Er…” I look at the blank TV screen. “Pretty Woman.”
“I love Pretty Woman,” Suze says longingly. “The scene in the shop!”
“I know! That is just the best scene ever!”
“And the end, when Richard Gere climbs up!” Her voice is tumbling out with enthusiasm. “Oh God, I want to watch it right now!”
“Me too!” I say without thinking. “I mean… I want to watch the… er… rest of it.”
“Oh,” Suze says in a different voice. “I must be interrupting you. Sorry.”
“No!” I say quickly. “I mean, it doesn’t matter—”
“I’ll go. You must want to get back to your sister. It sounds like you’re having an amazing time.” Her voice is wistful. “You two must have so much to talk about.”
“Yes,” I say, looking round the empty room. “Yes, we… we certainly do!”
“Well… I’ll see you sometime,” she says. “Bye, Bex.”
“Bye!” I say, my throat suddenly thick.
Wait! I want to cry out. Don’t go!
But instead I put down the receiver and stare into space. At the other end of the flat I can hear Luke, Gary, and Jess all laughing about something. They’ve bonded with her great. It’s just me who hasn’t.
And I had such huge hopes. I was so excited about having a sister. But I’ve done everything I can think of, and it’s all failed. Jess and I are never going to be friends. Not in a million years.
WEST CUMBRIA BANK
45 STERNDALE STREET
COGGENTHWAITE
CUMBRIA
Ms Jessica Bertram
12 Hill Rise
Scully
Cumbria CA19 1BD
16 May 2003
Dear Ms Bertram:
Thank you for your letter.
Having gone through your accounts in great detail I can only concur that there is a discrepancy of 73 pence.
I am deeply sorry for this error by the bank and have credited your savings account by this amount, back- dated three months. I have also, as you request, added the missing interest.
May I take this opportunity to commend you yet again on your meticulous and thoughtful approach to your finances.
On a personal note, I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Prudent Savers’ Group cheese and wine evening, at which our head of personal accounts will be giving the keynote address “Retightening the Purse Strings.”
Yours sincerely,
Howard Shawcross
Customer Account Manager
