My daughters a genius! Olivia bragged to the neighbours. She aced every exam with straightAs! And she even picks up a bit of extra work, yet she never takes a single penny from us!
Im jealous, Olivia! sighed Mrs. Patel, shaking her head. My children cant do anything but beg for money. They dont want to study at all. Emma says shell get married straight after college, expecting her husband to provide everything. And my son *sigh* she tossed her hands, clearly disheartened. But your niece, Lucy, is brilliant; she plans to make a life with her own mind.
Of course, whispered Michael to himself, edging a few steps away from the gossiping pair. Hed love to be home, but his mother still hadnt finished her shopping. If his father were at work, the honour of carrying the grocery bags would fall to him today. If you only knew what my sisters doing in the capital, youd stop bragging altogether.
Did you say something? Olivia glared at the boy, irritation flashing in her eyes. Cant you wait five minutes? She hadnt finished her story yet.
Yes, Mum, Michael replied calmly. I have a presentation and an essay due tomorrow. Maybe youll save your bragging for another time?
Oh, you and your dad! Never let anyone speak! Fine, lets go
Michael shrugged, noticing the neighbours relieved glances. They were no longer thrilled to be under the watchful eye of a doting mother. Olivia kept talking about her daughter, her tone making it seem as if Lucy were a flawless ideal everyone should emulate.
Only Michael knew the truth. He kept quiet, not wanting his mother to worry.
—
Does Miss Amelia Clarke live here? a sharptongued lady asked, catching Olivia offguard. Two men standing behind her only added to the tension.
My daughter lives in London now. Shes at university, Olivia answered proudly. What do you want with her?
At university? Amelia? Are you serious? the visitor sneered. She quit after the first term. She didnt pass a single exam; not surprising, since she never attended lectures, preferring instead to look for a boyfriend.
How dare you talk about my daughter! Ill sue you for defamation! Olivia snapped, the clatter behind the neighbours door startling her into silence. To call that woman in wouldnt be to admit she had a point. To ignore her? Shed probably say nothing at all. People didnt care whether it was truth or gossip.
Please, go on, Olivias son, Michael, intervened, cutting off his mothers hesitation. No need to give the gossip a foothold. Mother, let them in.
But, Michael!
Let them in.
Michael, though only sixteen, now seemed the head of the household, serious yet just a touch nervous. He ushered the guests into the sitting room, gesturing toward the sofa. The lady settled into an armchair a few steps away, while the two men remained standing.
Michael! How could you invite them in? You heard what they said about Lucy!
I heard. Thats why I let them in, he said, brushing off his mothers frustration. With his father away on business, he was acting as the familys pillar, trying to minimise the damage.
You
Perhaps you know my sister better, the woman retorted, halfsmiling. Do you know where she is now?
In London, Mum didnt lie. She doesnt live in a student hall, of course, Michael replied, a crooked grin forming. She rents a flat paid for by her husband. I dont know the address, but I do know the man is about twenty years older than Lucy, has three grownup children, and is extraordinarily wealthy.
Is his name Gregory?
Let me guess, youre his wife? Michaels mind raced. How had his notsobright sister gotten herself tangled in this mess?
Thank heavens, no. Im his sister, fed up with my brothers antics, the woman said coldly. Gregory has a wonderful wife and a daughter from a business partnership. Hes terribly upset by other women being around his husband, which might even lead to a divorce.
That cant happen, can it?
Smart lad, the lady muttered. Any guesses where your cheeky sister might be?
I dont, but a friend of hers could know. I could contact her, but first I need to hear your plans. I have one sister, you know.
Michael, what does all this mean? Whos Gregory? What flat? What happened to my daughter? Olivias face drained of colour. Michael bolted to the bathroom where his mother kept her medication.
Should we call an ambulance? the woman seemed halfguilty.
Michael waved her off. Of course he called an ambulance; the nurse, Mrs. Nina Howard, promised to arrive within five minutes. She must have been nearby.
Michael How do you know all this? Olivia asked, disbelief trembling in her voice. Her daughter was a lover how could she live with that?
Remember the last time Lucy showed up? Her phone broke, didnt it? She borrowed my laptop to chat with a friend and got stuck in an account. I read through her messages, was a bit surprised, and asked her directly. She didnt object, just begged you not to say anything.
Michael truly felt for his mother. She was a good, kind woman whose only flaw was boasting about her childrens achievements. He, too, blushed whenever she flaunted his certificates and medals to anyone who would listen.
A short while later, after Olivia was settled in bed under medical supervision, Michael returned to the guests, eager to hear the womans scheme.
So, what are you planning?
Nothing sinister. Ill give you some money and introduce you to a few respectable singles. The smarter she is, the easier shell find a suitable husband.
Alright, Ill see what I can do, Michael sighed, bracing for an uncomfortable conversation. His friends sister had been bold and troublesome. Hed have to improvise. The successful exam closure was a convenient excuse. Maybe his brother wanted to give his sister a gift? When she lived so far away, only a courier could help.
Here, take this, Michael handed the woman a slip of paper. I hope you keep your word.
I will, dont worry.
As she left the flat, the woman shouted loudly enough for the listening neighbours to hear:
Im sorry for the disturbance, but there was no other way to speak without eavesdroppers. I hope no bad rumours spread. If anything, I apologise to Lucy personally. But I trust the people here are kind and wont gossip.
Rumours did swirl, though they were weak. Olivia immediately tried to hush them, pleading not to sully her daughters name. She bragged far less and even stopped leaving the house as often.
Michael discussed everything with his father, and they reached a friendly decisionto move. Olivia felt mortified to meet the neighbours eyes, realizing she had deceived them all along.
One bright morning the family packed up and relocated, as Michael told the curious neighbours, Were heading closer to London, nearer to Lucy. There are good doctors there, and Mums health has been poor lately.
Lucy never returned; she married quickly and drifted away from the family entirely.
In the end, the neighbours learned that empty boasts and idle gossip only sow discord, while honesty and humility keep a community strong. The lesson lingered: true pride comes not from shouting achievements, but from living a life that earns quiet respect.