Writings

Sadie stood in the graveyard huddled in an old coat, her hair hidden under a grey fur hat. She stooped a little to give the impression of age. Her eyes were wet from the piercing wind which stirred the leaves on the ground. She watched her family from a few graves away where Sylvie was enfolded at the centre of the group as always. There was certain rightness, an order to the world that they should be in the same place at the same time, after so many months of discord.

Sylvie had always come first. She was the expected baby. Sadie had been a surprise. Mr and Mrs Carter had been expecting the afterbirth but had received a second baby. Quickly recovering they had made sure their girls were well fed and educated to the highest level but their eyes only shone for Sylvie. Where Sylvie was bright and sparkly, Sadie was intelligent and deep. Realizing that she could never compete with her favoured sister she turned her back on the gift of music and chose to study law at University.

She enjoyed the solving of puzzles, the reading of people and presenting of arguments and soon became respected in her field. Sadie was unaware of the picture of elegance she made in the courtroom. Her sister also achieved well. After Music College she was accepted by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and while Sadie wore Armani suits, Sylvia wore dresses of silk and diamante.

Gradually there became a certain peace within the family and Sadie accepted that Sylvie’s accomplishments were always mentioned first, but at least hers were now mentioned. Family get togethers held less tension and became more pleasurable.

There was also a certain symmetry to their linked lives. Both girls left home within a week of each other and one month later they both visited their parents proudly driving their first cars. Sadie drove up in functional black Honda Jazz, which shone with cleanliness, while Sylvie drove a bright red Mini, splashed with mud. There was a consensus amongst the rest of the family that both were good first cars, although perhaps the Mini was more fun to drive.

“Why did you choose black? It’s not very exciting,” challenged Sylvie.

“It’s just a car. It gets me from A to B without breaking down.”

“What do you mean it’s just a car? I love my Mini.”

“Not enough to keep it clean.”

“Don’t be so boring.”

In the following years both girls brought back various young men. Sadie’s were sensible young men and Sylvie’s were often creative people with non conformist hair styles. And then that Sadie fell in love. He was extremely bright, with so many interests, although some thought he was a little brutal in the way he prosecuted the accused. Others felt it was a requirement of the job.

Oliver won the court case where she was acting on the defender’s team, but she was still delighted when he asked her out. Soon they were inseparable.

“Come to the Lake District,” he said and so they missed the monthly family get together.

They spent every weekend together and the following month they were in London enjoying a play. Oliver whipped Sadie away to Barcelona the next month and so it was four months later that Sadie took Oliver home to meet the family.

“So who is this darling man,” Sylvie asked, as they walked in the door.

Sadie felt so proud to be bringing home her special man. “This is Oliver. Oliver this is my twin sister, Sylvie.” Never had she felt such completeness and happiness. Oliver greeted Sylvie politely. Mr and Mrs Carter were delighted that Sadie was so happy.

“So Oliver would you like to come to the Barbican and hear me play next weekend?” Sylvie asked.

“We’re going to Bath for the weekend Sylvie,” Sadie answered.

Sylvie tilted her head to one side and leaned towards Oliver, “Oh do Oliver. It would be so lovely to have you there.”

“Sylvie, leave it,” Mrs Carter said. “They’re busy.”

Later Sadie said to Oliver, “Sylvie seemed to take to you. She was very pushy that we went to see her perform next week.”

“Was she? I thought she was charming.”

It was not long before Oliver was in agreement with the rest of the family, drawn to worship Sylvie. He started to listen to her music, but one day Sadie picked up his phone and found that Sylvie and Oliver were texting.

“What’s going on?” she asked him. “Why are you in contact with Sylvie?”

“I’m so sorry. I’m really fond of you, but I love her. She’s so different, so exciting. When she plays a melody on her violin she lifts my soul. I could spend my life listening to her.”

Sadie went home to lick her wounds and Mr and Mrs Carter did their best to comfort her right up to the point that Sylvie and Oliver turned up.

“You’re going to have to have to accept the situation. Sylvie is always welcome here too. They’re in love,” Mr Carter said.

As they came in through the front door Sadie slipped out of the back. Sadie passed Oliver’s BMW. He had two cars; the BMW was for longer journeys and the orange MG was for short fun drives although he never drove in the centre of London. Sadie went back to her flat and after a sleepless night she made some difficult decisions. ‘I am going to move on. If my family are going to welcome Sylvie in spite of her betraying me then I will cut myself away from them.’ She promptly put her flat on the market and moved to Manchester.

With a new flat and job Sadie was very busy, but soon she settled into her new life. While sorting out her flat she found her old flute and decided to see if she could still play. Her music was not of her sister’s standard. She dug out a simple piece of music and dressed in comfortable pyjamas, with her golden hair flowing down her back she picked up her flute.

The music flowed from her as if she had never had a break. Sadie felt something positive had come from her break with the family. She had her music back.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on her door. ‘Who could that be?’ she thought.

There in front of her was a young man in jeans and a faded T shirt.

“I’m Dave from the flat upstairs.”

“Oh I’m sorry was I too loud?”

“Not at all,” he replied. “I play with a couple of others in a small group and I heard your wonderful playing. If you’re free tomorrow come along to The Feathers and see us. Bring your flute.” He smiled as he left to go back upstairs.

‘How ridiculous,’ she thought, but the next day after work she took her flute and went to find The Feathers.
It was early and the pub wasn’t crowded. Dave spotted her immediately and introduced her to Gerry who played double bass and Marlene who played the drums. Dave who sang and played the guitar persuaded her to join in and they played a Beatles’ number, Eleanor Rigby in perfect harmony. In a million years Sadie would never have thought she would enjoy playing music in a pub with strangers as much as she did.

Soon she was working hard all week and spending Friday and Saturday nights with her new friends. Dave was a kind sensitive man and she enjoyed his company.

One day as she came out of the courts to grab a quick lunch she found her father waiting for her.
“This behaviour has got to stop,” he greeted.

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“Come home. Make it up with your sister. She and your mother are very upset by your behaviour.”

“Father, I am not coming home. There is no room for me in your lives. She betrayed me in the worst way possible and you both took her side. I cannot live in her shadow anymore.”

“You’re not in her shadow. If it’s any consolation I think she’s not as keen on Oliver as she was.”

“I don’t care. I’m happy here without her or him. I’m sorry. I’ll come back when I’m ready. You all hurt me and when I needed your support you weren’t there for me. Please go back home and leave me alone.”

“You cannot stop being part of the family. She’s your sister. We’re your parents.”

“Sisters don’t take each other’s boyfriends. Parents shouldn’t condone such behaviour. I have moved a long way away to find some peace and I’ve found it. Go home and enjoy your favoured daughter.” Sadie turned and walked back into the courtrooms. She’d have to ask her junior to go and get a sandwich or her.

Although shaken by her father’s visit she stuck to her resolve. She was not going to allow any of them to hurt her again.

It was a week later that she switched on the television to find her sister being interviewed by a late night chat show host. Sylvie looked wonderful. She was wearing a slinky black dress and was going to play out the show.
“Is there a someone special in your life at the moment Sylvie?” the interviewer asked.

“Oh no, I have to work so hard and travel a lot so there’s not really much time for any of that.” Sylvie purred.

‘I wonder what Oliver will make of that,’ thought Sadie. She stayed up and listened to her sister lead the playing of Pachabelle’s Canon. It was beautiful.

Sadie continued working hard and playing in the little band. There was a regular crowd at the Feathers and some of her work colleagues started coming on a Friday night.

In between songs she heard her phone ring and found a quiet place to take the call. It was from Oliver.

“She’s dumped me,” he said. “Can you believe that she broke us up and then dumped me?”

“I’m sorry Oliver. It hurts like hell now but you’ll get over it. Trust me. I know.”

“Look, would you like to meet up?”

“Sorry. I am really sorry but I’m completely off men and there’s no way back for us. I wish you well Oliver. Goodbye.”

“Are you really off men?” Dave said. “Sorry I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

Sadie held up her phone. “Ex boyfriend. Went off with my twin and now she’s dumped him. He’s not happy but I’m not getting involved.”

“We’re not all the same. Come out with me for a meal tomorrow.”

With a great deal of trepidation Sadie accepted and soon realized that he could become more than just a friend.
The phone was ringing when she came home from work on the Monday of the following week.

“There’s been a terrible accident,” her father said. “Your sister has been killed by a hit and run driver. You’ll have to come home.”

“I’m so very sorry, father, but I’m not coming home.”

That evening she went and discussed it with Dave, who thought she would regret not going back. He offered to come with her but she said no, she would go by herself. And she would go, she thought, but secretly. She had no intention of going home.

When Dave had gone she switched the television on and caught the news. Her sister’s death was reported briefly. She had been a minor celebrity. The police were appealing for the driver of the orange sports car to come forward. Immediately she thought of Oliver’s car, but it couldn’t be.

Sadie slipped a note through Dave’s door and hired a car to drive to London. She didn’t want to be recognised. When she arrived she booked into an anonymous hotel in a nearby town under a false name.

The next day Sadie sat in a cafe opposite the Old Bailey courts where she knew Oliver was due to appear. When she saw him enter the building she made her way to his flat, knowing he would be tied up for several hours. She put on an old coat, gloves and grey fur hat that she’d bought from a charity shop. The outfit completely changed her appearance. Then she made her way to his garage, and took out the key from behind a loose brick, where it was always kept. In just a few minutes she had established that the orange MG was not there. The shiny navy BMW was alone.

With no idea where it could be, she found a public phone box and phoned the police and pretending to be Oliver’s wife and then reported it stolen. They took the number and then told her that her husband had already reported it. ‘Of course,’ she thought he would have reported it.

“I’d suggest you look at the bumper when you find it.” She said quickly and then hung up.”

She knew Oliver was a very clever man, who had been publicly humiliated by her sister. She switched off her phone and went back to the hotel and there she stayed until the day of the funeral.

It was bitterly cold in the churchyard. Sadie was dressed in the grey hat and old coat. She blended into the background. The vicar was saying prayers as the final ceremony unfolded. Individual disjointed words floated over to where she stood. She said her own prayers. When they had all said their goodbyes the family passed by not noticing Sadie. At the edge of the churchyard there was a commotion. Plain clothes policemen were taking Oliver away. They had found his car parked on one of the most notorious estates in London with the keys in the ignition. Although Oliver had reported the car missing there had been no other fingerprints but his on the driving wheel or doors. There was a big dent in the front of the car on the right hand side. He had obviously hoped that joyriders would take it away ad burn it out. Perhaps they might have done but for the England France football match and the call from his non- existent wife, which had focussed the police to search more vigorously.

Sadie stayed in the churchyard for a while. She went and stood by her sister’s grave and then the tears began to fall. She sobbed for all the years her sister would not have and for the friendship they could now never mend. She sobbed until she realized that she was shivering with cold and the light had slipped quietly away. Briefly the music that her sister last played filled her mind. Nobody deserved to be murdered just because they had behaved badly but there was nothing she could do. She had done everything she could to get her sister justice. She would go back to her family tonight and try to restore a fragile harmony but in a few days she would return to Manchester and be where she wanted to be, with Dave.

Penny Luker is the editor for the writings section at ATG. She writes poems and short stories. Her first book, “Missing and other short stories” is published by Lulu. Her poems have been published in two anthologies recently.
Visit her website to read more of her work. Web:http://www.thewritingroom.fastmail.fm

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