Don’t Covet Another’s Bread – A Cautionary Tale

Dont go asking for someone elses pie, I muttered as the tension in the kitchen grew. Emmas face was flushed with fury; she hadnt even tried to hide how she felt. And whose house are we still playing for? Everyones already left the house. She jabbed at the empty rooms. She knew how badly we needed that flat us, not her.

This flat belongs to my sister, James, my brother, exhaled wearily. He was fed up listening to Emmas endless complaints for the third time that night. Claire earned it more than anyone. She looked after Grandma when she could barely stand, ran errands, paid the council tax, and took Grandma to the hospital. I even offered you the chance to help out, but you just sit at home.

Ive got three children! Three! Emma snapped, crossing her arms. And you still want to pin the blame on me like an old hag!

Two of them go to school, the thirds in nursery, James replied, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. You spend the whole day at home. You could have popped over to Grandma for a couple of hours and that flat would have been ours. Stop whining about other peoples pounds. If the house isnt good enough, why dont you get a job? Then we could afford something bigger.

Youre a useless man! Cant earn a penny yourself, so you push your wife onto work! Emma gasped, though James actually earned a decent wage. She just never knew how to stretch a pound, and she certainly didnt want to.

Thats it, the matters closed, James thumped the table, pushing his untouched bowl of soup aside. Ive lost my appetite. And for the record, Im not going to hear any more about how lucky my sister is. She earned her inheritance fair and square.

Emma only managed a bitter grimace at his last words. Earned, she says. A twentyyearold sweetheart got a threebedroom flat in the city centre, complete with a modern layout. What does she need all that space for? Meanwhile, Megan, my sisterinlaw, has three kids and a modest but solid house she bought before she married.

Megan had always complained that her children needed more room each kid deserved their own bedroom, especially the older girl who was now thirteen. Yet she still had to share a room with her fiveyearold sisterinlaw, Poppy. How do you tell a fiveyearold that certain things are offlimits? Megan wondered, though a little troublemaker named Lucy was to blame for scattering toys everywhere.

Emma was desperate to move into that flat. She had even given birth to more children hoping the elderly Grandma would have the decency to let a big family stay in the house. It never happened.

Then the news arrived: Grandma was seriously ill and had only about a year left. Hope flared anew, but Emma flatly refused to look after a sick Megan. As if I have nothing else to do, she huffed.

Its no surprise the will favours Claire, Megans friend chimed in, siding with the old lady. Seriously, why would the flat go to you? You did nothing to earn it! I told you then take Grandma in and look after her. Youd be living there by now.

Why would we want another person in our house? Emma protested, assuming the friend would back her up. She refused to stay with us, said she wanted peace and quiet.

Id turn it down myself. Let five more people, three of them kids, into a flat? Forget it. Stay out of Claires way, get a job theres a vacancy at my firm, and we could get a mortgage with the extra cash.

Ill think about it, Emma muttered through clenched teeth, ending the call. The conversation had veered far from advice and straight into accusation. Work? Shell never work! Shell just have another baby

Emma tried to talk to Claire, hoping to persuade her to give up the flat or maybe swap houses Claire could move into a cottage and the whole family could move into the city flat. Claire, however, refused even to listen, insisting she would fulfil Grandmas last wishes to the letter.

When Emma pressed James again, he exploded. It was the first time James shouted at his wife, scaring the kids. Little Katie burst into tears and couldnt calm down, while Lucy stared at them wideeyed.

Enough! Im fed up with your idle ideas! I wont give a single extra pound! Ill buy food and clothes for the kids myself, and you can earn your own pocket money!

That night James stormed off to his parents house and didnt come back. He was livid. What more could Emma want? A nice home, a big garden why did she cling to a cramped flat surrounded by neighbours?

Megan was equally angry. A husband should stand with his wife, otherwise its not a marriage. If the wife wants the flat, she should get it, no matter what it takes.

***

Claire was walking home late, the streets almost empty, shop windows dark and silent. Theres Claire! a hulking man called from the shadows, grinning like a cat thats got the cream. Well, hello. Guess what I need from you? Dont quake, love. He laughed. Your looks dont interest me. Bye for now.

What do you want? Money? Claire asked, wary.

Someone else paid me, but this bloke wants you to give up that lovely flat. I see you know what Im getting at.

Claire could only nod. She was alone on that deserted lane, not a dog in sight. If she tried to act tough, who knew where it would end

Smart girl, the man chuckled, patting her cheek. If you do exactly as I say, we wont meet again. If not well have a nice time together, thats for sure.

Claire sprinted home, feeling the mans presence close behind. Had Emma really hired someone like this? Did James know? He was her brother, after all.

James! Are you involved in this? she sobbed as soon as she reached the phone. Do you also want that flat? Ill give you everything, just leave me alone!

Claire, whats happened? James answered, genuinely startled. Claire, can you hear me? Where are you?

Home James

Im on my way.

He arrived in ten minutes, speeding through red lights without a care. To him, his sister was worth any fine. When Claire finally calmed enough to recount the bizarre encounter, James understood everything why his wife had been so smug.

File a report, he said firmly. There are CCTV cameras on every corner; theyll catch that bloke quick, and hell be handed over to the police.

But Claires eyes widened. They wont lock her up, but

Its not your concern. Let him reap what he sowed. Im divorcing her! I cant have my children raised by someone like that. What would she teach them?

***

A criminal case was opened against Emma, even though she vehemently denied everything. She didnt realise the hired thug had recorded every word they exchanged. The children refused to speak to her, and the divorce was finalized in a flash.