Rival Sisters

by Louise Guy

  Damien’s with us this afternoon, and we’ve suggested he stay here tonight while he comes to terms with things. Just letting you know so you don’t worry. His next shift is Tuesday, so he’ll be home before then to collect his uniform. I know what you did was for us and I’m sorry you now have to deal with the fallout. Much love, T. xx

  Tears filled Hannah’s eyes as she read the message. Having Trish on her side meant so much. Hopefully she would be able to convince Damien that Hannah had only had the best intentions.

  She pulled over and dried her eyes before reaching her father’s driveway. She wasn’t in the mood for any questions today. Nat’s car was on the road. Her thoughts shifted from her own problems to her sister’s. She wondered what had happened with the money Eliza’s brother had invested. The returns sounded too good to be true, but as neither Eliza nor Nat had invested their own money in his scheme, she’d have to put her cynicism aside and believe there were good people in this world. Ironically, she’d have to log in to the chat room and ask Nat; she couldn’t ask her in person.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Nat was laughing at an impersonation Amy was doing of her teacher. The high-pitched voice and flapping hands were not something Nat could imagine having to put up with all day, but then again, she was pretty sure it was massively exaggerated.

  ‘I’m sure she doesn’t sound like that.’

  ‘She does. She’s worse, in fact.’

  Nat grinned. She’d had a lovely afternoon with her niece. Amy’s love of old movies had seen them venture out to a vintage cinema in Elsternwick that was showing the 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life. It was a fabulous movie, and she couldn’t imagine she’d have seen it without Amy twisting her arm. After the movie, they’d had a look around the shops before coming back to her father’s. He was now making them all hot chocolate.

  The sudden shrill of the doorbell drew Amy’s attention from the impersonations, and she hurtled down the hall.

  Nat guessed it must be Hannah. No doubt her sister would be glowing from a child-free weekend and all the sex she and Damien would have had. She sat down at the kitchen table and accepted the hot chocolate her father placed in front of her.

  ‘You spoil us, Dad.’

  He laughed. ‘A hot chocolate is hardly spoiling you. I’d better get back to it and make some more. I’m sure Hannah will want one.’

  ‘I’ll make them,’ Sue offered, her cheeks flushed from the cool afternoon air. ‘Let me just wash my hands as they’re covered in dirt. I’ve planted a whole bed of Asian greens this afternoon. We’ll be feasting on mizuna, tatsoi and bok choy before we know it. I just need Amy to help me feed them and we’ll be done.’

  Nat smiled. Sue was always planting vegetables she’d never heard of, although bok choy was at least familiar.

  Amy’s cry of ‘Mum!’ as the front door opened confirmed it was Hannah. Nat couldn’t hear their conversation, but Hannah’s boots clicked on the polished floorboards as they approached the kitchen.

  Hannah entered the kitchen with Amy by her side, giving her a running commentary on the film.

  ‘Hot chocolate?’ Sue asked.

  Hannah nodded. ‘Lovely, thanks.’ She smiled at Nat, her arm snaking around Amy’s shoulders. Her face was pale. Actually, it was deathly white.

  ‘Thanks so much for taking Amy to the movie today. It sounds like she had a fantastic time.’

  Nat hesitated. It was a simple thank you, but that was unlike Hannah. Usually, she’d be quizzing them on the film’s ratings, on what they had from the candy bar. Did they have Coke or any other soft drink? A lecture would then follow on the perils of sugar-filled food and drinks. Something was off. Hannah looked terrible.

  ‘Are you okay? You look very pale.’

  Hannah’s white cheeks flushed at the question. ‘I’m fine, thanks. Just a bit tired.’

  Nat nodded. Phyllie had implied Hannah and Damien were experiencing problems, and by the look of Hannah, she’d been correct.

  ‘I’ve had my hot chocolate,’ Amy said, moving out of her mother’s embrace. ‘I said I’d help Sue in the garden before we leave. Do I have enough time?’

  Hannah nodded and sat down at the table with Nat. ‘Yes, of course. We’ll get going when you’re done. Let Sue enjoy her hot chocolate first.’

  Sue picked up her cup. ‘Why don’t you go and play with Toby for five minutes and then I’ll be out and we can finish off.’

  Amy grinned and pushed her way through the bifold doors to the back garden.

  ‘Are you sure you’re alright?’ Sue asked, turning to Hannah. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so pale or miserable-looking.’

  Tears filled Hannah’s eyes.

  Alarm struck Nat. Her sister never cried; she was far too strong.

  Sue came over and put a hand on Hannah’s shoulder. ‘I didn’t mean to pry.’

  ‘It’s okay – just a difficult weekend. Damien and I have a few issues we need to sort out. It’s why we asked you to have Amy.’

  Sue squeezed her shoulder before sitting down beside her.

  ‘Is there anything we can do to help, love?’ Her father joined them at the table.

  Hannah wrapped her hands around her mug. ‘No, but thank you. Having Amy was a huge help.’

  ‘And things are okay now?’

  Hannah shook her head. ‘No, but I don’t want to talk about it. Damien’s gone to stay with his parents tonight. He has a lot to process.’

  He has a lot to process? Had Hannah had an affair? Nat couldn’t think of anything else that might cause her brother-in-law to need to process things. Her sister, having an affair? If it was true, then it proved she didn’t know Hannah at all. She’d almost be proud of her for breaking out of her rigid mould, but not at Damien’s expense. Nat liked him too much.

  ‘How’s your new job going?’ Hannah asked, breaking into her thoughts.

  ‘Um, good, thanks.’ Nat waited for the million questions that Hannah usually asked. But they didn’t come.

  ‘That’s great.’ Hannah sipped her hot chocolate. ‘And I take it there’s a new man on the scene?’

  Nat frowned. ‘Not that I’m aware of. Who?’

  ‘Leon. I met him this afternoon when I dropped Phyllie back. He was asking after you.’

  Nat’s cheeks flushed bright red. ‘Really? What did he say?’

  Hannah smiled; her sister’s reaction immediately told her she liked Leon. ‘Nothing much. Just asked if I knew where you were, that he’d hoped to speak to you. He actually told me not to tell you he was asking after you. But it’s too cute not to tell.’

  ‘He’s just a friend,’ Nat said. ‘Phyllie’s claimed him as hers, and even if I was interested, I’m not allowed to date him.’

  Hannah’s lips curled into a small smile. ‘That sounds a bit ridiculous.’

  ‘You know what Phyllie’s like.’ Nat laughed. ‘If I cross her, she’ll throw me out.’

  ‘Living with Phyllie’s still going well?’

  Nat nodded. ‘Mostly. Although, as much as I don’t want to admit it, I think you might be right about her having some difficulties.’

  She cringed as the words came out of her mouth. She hadn’t planned to talk to Hannah about Phyllie.

  ‘What kind of difficulties?’ Sue asked.

  ‘Sometimes I wonder what year she’s living in, and she’s become a little forgetful.’ Nat went on to tell them about the money for the movie, Phyllie wondering why Nat had come to visit one day, and then going out in her gardening clothes leaving the iron on. There were some other small examples that she mentioned too.

  ‘Other than the iron, nothing else dangerous then?’ her father said.

  ‘No. But I am a bit worried about her. She corrects herself quickly, but there’s a period of confusion when it happens. I thought perhaps we should take her for a check-up.’

  Hannah nodded. ‘I saw it for myself today. We had lunch, and at one stage she went and used the ladies’ room. When she came out, s
he asked me where everyone was. For about thirty seconds she acted like it was four years ago when we were there for her birthday and she couldn’t work out why everyone had gone. She suddenly came to and laughed it off, saying she was enjoying reminiscing and that was all. It wasn’t a big deal, but there was a flash of fear that crossed her face. I think it frightened her not being in control of her thoughts for that short amount of time.’

  ‘What do you think it is?’ Nat asked.

  ‘I’m not a doctor. How on earth would I know?’

  Nat blushed. ‘Sorry, I just thought you would have gone home and googled it and worked out what she needed.’

  Hannah rolled her eyes. ‘What, and ship her off to the aged care facility like she’s so scared I was going to do?’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘No, I didn’t go home and google it. I thought it was just a moment, one that a lot of older adults would experience. It certainly wasn’t something that was putting her in danger, just unsettling her a little.’

  ‘I’ll organise a doctor’s appointment,’ their father said. ‘She’s my mother, and she’ll go whether she likes it or not. Her father ended up with dementia, and as much as I’d hate that to happen to her, we should at least get her checked and know what we might be dealing with.’

  ‘She’s going to hate having to go,’ Hannah said. ‘I don’t know how you’ll convince her.’

  Sue laughed. ‘You’d be surprised what the lure of a high tea will do. I’ll go with them and we’ll make a quick stop at the doctor’s on the way. There’ll be no mention of dementia or you girls being worried. With the thought of scones and clotted cream on her mind, I’m sure it won’t be an issue.’

  ‘A friend of mine suggested we tell her she needs some immunisations, as they make a number available for the elderly these days.’ Nat shrugged. ‘Might be worth a shot.’

  ‘Good idea,’ Hannah said. ‘Do you think you’ll be able to continue to live with her? It’s a huge relief knowing she has you in the house.’

  Nat nodded. ‘Of course. I don’t have any plans to move out. The arrangement works well, and now that I’m a little concerned about her I feel better being there. She’d hate to have a stranger in her home, and as much as I hate to say this, I do agree with Hannah. She needs someone around.’

  Nat waited for Hannah to start on the I told you so’s, but they didn’t come. Instead, she spoke with genuine love and concern for her grandmother.

  ‘Poor Phyllie. She’d rather die than have dementia. She’s such a strong and independent woman. I hope what she’s experiencing is just old age and nothing more.’

  Nat, Sue and her father nodded in agreement. They all loved Phyllie, and it would be devastating to watch her mind deteriorate.

  Sue stood and placed her cup in the sink. ‘I’d better go and finish off the gardening with Amy. Help yourselves to more hot chocolate.’

  Nat’s phone pinged with a text as they all sat in silence contemplating Phyllie’s future. She took it from her pocket and checked the screen. It was from Eliza.

  Check your account!

  Jacob had sent her a link to an account he’d set up in her name which showed her deposits, investment gains and losses, and a balance. She clicked on it, her eyes widening. It couldn’t be right. Twenty-seven thousand dollars? Her hand trembled as she opened up the transaction log. It showed the first five hundred dollars he’d deposited on her behalf with a subsequent transaction written as ‘investment return’ of two thousand five hundred dollars. It had then been reinvested, and a new ‘investment return’ transaction showed twenty-four thousand dollars, bringing the total to twenty-seven.

  ‘Are you okay, love?’ her father asked. ‘It’s not bad news, is it?’

  She looked up to find her father and Hannah staring at her. She shook her head. ‘No, it’s amazing news. I’m just not sure whether to believe it.’

  Hannah’s eyes widened. ‘Don’t keep us in suspense then; we need some good news after all this depressing talk about Phyllie.’

  Nat handed her phone to her father. ‘A friend made an investment for me last night. It turns out it was a good one.’

  She watched as her father’s eyes grew larger before he handed the phone to Hannah. A strange look passed over Hannah’s face as she digested the information. It wasn’t surprise or jealousy, it was something else altogether. Concern?

  ‘That’s incredible,’ her father said. ‘Who is this friend and how on earth did he turn three thousand into twenty-seven thousand so quickly?’

  Nat gave a slightly edited version of who Eliza and Jacob were, deciding it was best to say Eliza was someone from work, rather than someone she met in the gambling addicts’ chat room.

  ‘And he invested his own money on your behalf?’ Her father shook his head. ‘Why would he do that? He hardly knows you.’

  ‘He’s incredibly wealthy and successful, and from what Eliza’s told me also very generous. What’s happening with their business is something that only happens every few years. It can switch off as quickly as it switches on. He made that very clear when we met.’

  ‘Are you able to withdraw this money?’ Hannah asked. ‘Or will he reinvest it again?’

  ‘I assume I can. I’ll contact him when I leave here.’

  ‘Do it now,’ her father said. ‘Use my office if you want privacy. This is a large amount of money, and you don’t want to lose it. I’d withdraw it.’

  Nat stood. It was a sensible suggestion. She’d be able to pay off her credit card debt, pay Phyllie back, although she doubted her grandmother would take it, and still have money left over. How her luck had turned around . . . and literally overnight.

  She hurried down the passageway to her father’s office and shut the door. She rang the number Jacob had given her and waited for him to answer. He picked up almost immediately.

  ‘Jacob Swain.’

  ‘Jacob, it’s Lia.’

  His voice was rich and warm. ‘Hey, Lia. Did you get Eliza’s message? Your account is growing!’

  ‘I know, I’m blown away. Are you sure this is okay though? This is your money.’

  He laughed. ‘It’s totally fine. I’m just glad to have helped. From everything Eliza’s told me, your conversations have helped her through an incredibly difficult time. I’d do anything to protect her and would pay much more than five hundred dollars for someone to do what you’ve done.’

  ‘But it’s twenty-seven thousand, not five hundred.’

  ‘Yes, but five hundred is all I invested. The rest is pure profit.’ She could hear his smile dancing on his words. ‘Look, if it makes you feel better, when you withdraw your money you can take me out for a very swanky lunch, and you can pay me back the original five hundred dollars. This is not expected or necessary though, but if it makes you feel like it’s your money then let’s do it. Eliza already mentioned we should all get together again. I might even bring Jane, my wife. She likes swanky lunches.’

  Nat smiled. He was a genuinely fantastic guy. ‘I’ll take you up on that.’

  ‘Great. When do you want to do it? Next weekend? Oh, hold on, sorry, I just realised that I’m assuming you’re planning to withdraw the money from your fund. You can, of course, leave it for reinvestment. We’re confident we have at least another two weeks of solid returns before we’d start advising people to stop contributing, or at least minimise their risk with smaller investments.’

  Nat hesitated. She’d planned to take the money now. There was no point in getting greedy and losing it all.

  ‘It’s a big decision,’ Jacob said. ‘Sleep on it. Go back into your account and select the “Pause Transactions” button. That will stop it being automatically reinvested until you give further instruction. Once you’ve made your mind up, you can click the “Recommence Transactions” button if you want it reinvested or the “Withdrawal” button and then link it to a bank account and it will be paid out. That usually takes two to three days to clear into your account.’

  ‘I
don’t know what to say,’ Nat said.

  Jacob laughed again. ‘Nothing to say. Just find a friend to celebrate with, stay away from those poker rooms, and consider this a fresh start. Now, I’d better go. Jane’s folks are about to arrive for Sunday night roast. I need to open some wine and find my best behaviour. I’m sure it’s lurking around here somewhere.’

  Nat said goodbye and ended the call. She logged in to her account and paused the investments, as Jacob had recommended. She looked at the balance again and shook her head. Twenty-seven thousand dollars! This was real.

  Hannah and her father were still sitting at the kitchen table when Nat returned from making the call to Jacob. She imagined Hannah had a thousand questions for her and would have all sorts of advice on what she needed to do.

  ‘How did you go, love? Was it for real?’

  Nat nodded, glad her father had spoken before Hannah. ‘Yes, it is. I have the option to reinvest or withdraw the money. I’ve paused the account for now. I’ll think about it tonight and most likely set up the withdrawal tomorrow. I need to link a bank account for the money to be deposited into, so won’t be able to do that until I get home anyway.’

  ‘That’s amazing, Nat, really amazing.’ Hannah smiled at her. ‘I’m happy for you.’ She stood. ‘I might go and round up Amy so we can head home. Bear’s probably wondering where his dinner is.’

  ‘That’s all you’re going to say?’

  Surprise filled Hannah’s face. ‘What did you want me to say? I’m truly happy for you. Sorry if it didn’t come across like that. As I said, I’m a bit flat today.’

  Nat shook her head. ‘No, it came across as you being genuinely happy. I was expecting a lecture, that’s all. About the risks of reinvesting.’

  Hannah smiled. ‘It’s your call. There’s not a lot of risk really when it wasn’t your money to start with. You do what you want. I think you’re sensible to consider withdrawing what’s in the account now. I imagine it would be beneficial in paying off any debt or to have as a nest egg. If you’re looking for me to have an opinion of some kind, then all I’d say is if you decide to reinvest perhaps don’t do the full amount. Withdraw some, so if their river dries up, or whatever you said they call it, you don’t lose it all.’