Are you out of your mind? We cant invite them! Victor taps his fingers anxiously on the kitchen bench.
Why not? Emma snaps, pulling a face and turning toward the window.
Your brother, the one you havent seen in fifteen years! Victor rises from his seat and strides over to her. He turns up out of nowhere and you immediately want him at dinner?
He didnt turn up out of nowhere, Emma says, trying to keep her voice steady, though tension crackles. James has just come back from Manchester. His business went bust there.
Of course! Victor flails his hands. Now hes back, looking to borrow money from the sister he abandoned in our hardest hour. Did you forget that?
Emma pretends to wipe the spotless stove, though it already shines.
I havent forgotten anything. Hes still my brother.
And Im your husband, and Im opposed.
Emma sighs, turning back to Victor.
Listen, Ive already invited them. James, his wife Sarah, and their son will be here this evening.
Victor closes his eyes, exhales slowly.
And youre telling me that now? Five minutes before they arrive?
Emma cant finish. The phone rings. She glances at the screen and frowns.
Its Emily.
Just when we needed a daughter for complete happiness, Victor mutters. Does she even know Uncle James is back?
No. I have no idea why shes calling. After the last fight we barely speak.
Emma picks up.
Hello? Emily?
A bright voice bursts through the line.
Mum, hi! Hope we arent intruding if we swing by for dinner? Ive got big news!
Victors head spins at the last words, but Emma, as if to spite him, flashes a wide smile.
Of course, come! Wed love to have you.
Great! Well be there at seven. And yes, someone else is coming with us.
Before Emma can ask who, Emily hangs up.
Victor, this is wonderful! The whole family will be together tonight!
I dont get why youre so thrilled, Victor snaps, heading toward the living room. We have theatre tickets for nine oclock, remember?
Oh dear! Emma presses her palms to her cheeks. It completely slipped my mind.
Exactly what I was thinking. Call everyone and tell them to come another day.
But Victor
No buts! he cuts off, disappearing into the bathroom.
Emma collapses into a chair, massaging her temples. She bought tickets to *The Marriage of Figaro* a month ago as a gift for their twentieth wedding anniversary. Now
She stands, throws open the fridge and decides shell cook for everyone. Victor will be angry, but she cant turn the guests away. She hasnt seen James in ages, and the rift with Emily over her new boyfriend Oliveran older, divorced man with a childstill burns.
She pulls out a joint of beef, carrots, potatoes, and gets to work. When Victor emerges from the bathroom, the kitchen is already fragrant with roasting meat.
I see youve made a decision, he remarks dryly.
Victor, come on, isnt it wonderful when the whole family gathers?
What family? The brother who hasnt set foot on the doorstep for fifteen years? The daughter who hasnt called in months? Or are you talking about the unknown soninlaw and his kid?
Maybe today everything will finally click, Emma says, hopeful.
Victor shakes his head but doesnt argue, drifting to the lounge muttering about a ruined evening.
Emma returns to the stove, knowing Victor is right. Their lives are quiet and orderly. Both teach at the local primary schoolhim, physics; her, English literature. Evenings are spent over tea discussing pupils, planning weekend trips, occasional trips to the West End or a gallery. Guests are rare, usually colleagues or old friends. Family ties have frayed. After their parents died, James moved to Manchester and vanished from their lives, sending only occasional postcards.
Emily has always been headstrong. She left university after two years to work in a restaurant, a choice Emma mourned because shed hoped her daughter would become a teacher too.
A knock at the door interrupts her thoughts. Mrs. Lily Harper, the elderly neighbour, stands on the step with a tray of scones.
Emma dear, Ive baked some scones, help yourself, she offers.
Lily, perfect timing! Ive got unexpected guests.
Whos coming? Lily asks, curiosity sparkling.
My brother James with his family, and Emily with her fiancé.
Fiancé? Lily laughs. Are we matchmaking now?
Im not sure what shes up to, Emma shrugs. She said she has important news.
Bless my soul! Lily grins. My nephew Nicholas from Brighton is in town. Hes a retired soldier, widower, looking for something to do. Maybe you could invite him over? Hes been cooped up alone.
Emma hesitates, then nods. Why not. Let him come at seven.
Lily hurries off to tell him.
Back in the kitchen, Victor catches Emmas eye.
You didnt invite the neighbours nephew, did you?
I thought it might be nice. Hes looking for work.
Victor waves his hand. So now were a job agency?
Just let him eat, maybe hell pick up a useful tip.
Victor sighs, changes into a shirt. By six oclock the table is set, and the oven releases the mouthwatering scent of roast beef with vegetables. Victor glances at the spread and, for the first time that day, cracks a smile.
You know, maybe youre right. Its been ages since weve had everyone under one roof.
Emma moves to hug him.
Exactly. Lets treat this as fate and save the theatre for another night.
Victor kisses her forehead.
Alright, you win.
A knock sounds. A tall man in a crisp uniform steps in.
Good evening, Im Nicholas, Lilys nephew, he introduces himself.
Come in, Nicholas, Emma says warmly. Im Emma, and this is my husband Victor.
They shake hands. Nicholas is chatty, sharing stories of his service in Syria, his recent retirement after a wound, and the loss of his wife two years ago.
Im moving closer to family, hoping to start fresh, he explains, sipping tea.
Before he can finish, the phone rings again.
It must be Emily, Emma thinks, reaching for it.
Instead, a middleaged man with shortcropped hair appears with a woman whose dark hair is tied in a neat bun, and a teenage boy clutching a gaming console.
James! Emma rushes to embrace her brother.
Hey, sis, he says, patting her back. This is Sarah, my wife, and our son Harry.
Victor greets them politely and leads them to the table. James looks uneasy, glancing at Emma as if fearing reproach. Sarah is quiet, answering in short bursts, while Harry is glued to his phone.
How have you been, James? Emma asks, pouring tea.
Its complicated, he begins, stumbling. The business collapsed, debts remain. We thought restarting in our hometown might help. Were renting a flat, and Im now a stockroom assistant at a supermarket, just temporary.
Sarah adds, I work parttime at a pharmacy as a cashier. Not much, but it gets us by.
Emma nods sympathetically, then a second ring interrupts.
Emily arrives, radiant in a floral summer dress, holding the hand of a tall man with a hint of grey at his temples. A small girl in a pink coat walks beside them.
Mum, Dad, meet Oliver, my husband, and our daughter, Polly.
Hubby? Emma gasps, dropping the towel shes holding. When did that happen?
We married three months ago, Emily beams. I wanted to tell you, but after our fight
Victor steps forward, hugging Emily.
Congratulations, he says
