Page 33 of Molly: Part One
“Holy shit, it’s from your parents, isn’t it? When you said last week that you would hear from them on your birthday, this is what you meant, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I fucking hate it. Every birthday and Christmas the only contact I have from them is a bank transfer.” I can feel the tears starting to run down my face.
“All I have ever wanted from them is their love and for them to be actual parents to me but all they do is palm me off with money. Just because money is the centre of their world doesn’t mean it is at mine. I’m sure it’s all a tax fiddle or something because it’s a different amount every time, like they just have some money to lose so gift it to me. Some years they really ‘love’ me and others not so much. I would be so happy just to receive a hand written card from them because at least they would have gone to the effort to write it themselves and put a tiny bit of thought into it instead of getting their accountant to send whatever he thinks is a good idea each time.”
I take the laptop back and move the money out of my current account and into my savings. I log out, wipe my face and have a big gulp of wine.
“I don’t even know what to say to that. I really fucking hate them for what they have done to you. You’re right, their money means nothing without their actual love.” I can tell he is getting pissed off because I can see the muscle in his neck start to pulse. “Have they always done this?”
“They wouldn’t let me have any before I was twenty-one so I couldn’t use it for university fees or for living like I told you on holiday. But since then I get two loving deposits in my bank account each year.”
“What do you do with it because you don’t live like someone who is loaded, and I’ve seen your bank account before now, it looks like a normal working persons.”
“The only people who know about this are my brothers and Susan and Pete. I never even told Hannah about it. I hate it, I want to work for my money not sponge off them.”
“I understand that and it’s not like I’m going to go and shout it from the rooftops. You know you can trust me, Molly.”
“Yeah I know I can Ry, I just hate talking about it.” I blow out a big breath and start explaining. “Well, I got big lump when I turned twenty-one as I said. I paid off the debts I had accumulated as a student. I gave Susan and Pete the rent that I believed I should have been paying for all the years I lived in their flat for free. They argued, a lot, they wanted me to keep it for myself but I wasn’t taking no for an answer. I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually used the money for the conversion to the office to be honest. Then with my brothers’ help I bought two cheap run down flats in the city, did them up and now rent them both out. I wanted to put the money to work not just blow it on expensive clothes, holidays and cars like the other trust fund babies I grew up around. Steven reckons if I sold the flats now then I would easily double my money. I hate that I have used the family business for it but Steven and Daniel are brilliant at what they do and I knew I could trust them with it. They are sworn to secrecy, I never want my parents to know.”
“Wow, and what about what you get each year, what do you do with that?”
“Well it kind of depends on what I’ve been doing at the time and how much they ‘love’ me. I bought my car one year because I was starting to need to meet with clients and going on the bus wasn’t cutting it. I paid for Hannah, Emma and me to go on holiday to celebrate graduating, remember?” Hannah and Ryan were together by then so he would remember us going.
“Yes, you went to a Caribbean island didn’t you?”
“Yep, we did nothing but sunbath and drink cocktails for two weeks, it was amazing. I wanted to treat the most important people in my life to an unforgettable holiday. Every year I give some of it to charity and make sure the people I love are looked after, no matter how slyly I have to do it!” I watch Ryan as he takes this information in.
“Do you remember that one night after not long after we all met, we had a takeaway at the flat. You and Hannah had an argument about paying but she won in the end. Later that night I came out of the bathroom and caught you in her handbag with her purse in your hand. When I questioned you, you got all defensive and awkward. I remember accusing you of stealing but you said you were putting something back in for Hannah. You were putting the cash for the takeaway in weren’t you? Is that what you mean by helping out slyly?”
“Yeah stuff like that. No one ever notices, especially if I wait till they’re drunk!”
“So have you done it to me before?”
“Yeah of course I have. I’m not telling you what though because then you’ll be on to me! So this years money I guess will be helping me set up the office. I’m gonna need computers, printers, a projector just for a start. Oh, and a member of staff.”
“I’m just going to let that slide, but I’m watching you, Molly Carter.”
I’m woken up Saturday morning when my phone starts ringing. I begrudgingly open my eyes to see who it is.
“Steven, do you know what time it is?” I grumble. Then I hear giggling.
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,” my nieces start singing to me.
“Aw, thank you guys that was lovely, best birthday present ever.”
“Auntie Molly?” Poppy asks.
“Yes Pops”
“It’s lunchtime, you should be awake by now!” she admonishes me.
“Um, yeah I guess I should.” I hear a commotion in the background as Steven comes on the phone.
“Happy Birthday kid.”
We chat for a bit and I open the present the girls gave me last night, it’s my favourite smellies. Debs always picks the best presents. Not long after I hang up and lie back down feeling like I could sleep the day away my phone goes again with Daniel.
“Happy Birthday Molls.”
