Every two weeks, it felt as though there was something she was forgetting. Something beginning with H. Hat? No, her collection was immaculate, and she’d know if something was different. Home? Best not to even go there. Valerie avoided that subject like the plague. When she and...

“Hector” she groaned while pinching the bridge of her nose.

This wasn’t great timing to remember such a thing. She had just ordered takeaway and gotten comfortable. She couldn’t just drop everything she was doing for her brother. It wasn’t like he was going anywhere of note. He moseyed about and watched television all day. And plus, reheating food always made it taste somewhat different. Never better. Except for that time, she had microwaved a frozen Cornish Pasty. It was an irreplicable accident that occurred from a tipsy lapse in judgment.

Valerie sighed. She was going to have to meet up with her brother.

The room was big with a scattering of seats in pairs and groups of four. Was there a word for group of four? Surely there must be. We have a word for the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of our mouths. The thought was interrupted with a sarcastic laugh that bled into her mind. She turned to see Hector walking towards her. Arms cuffed, he’s placed in front of Valerie.

“So, you look… somewhat decent” scoffed Hector

“You were thinner before, prison treating you well it seems” the corners of Valerie’s mouth curled. “What's going on with you?”

“The usual. Fighting, going to the nurse’s office then solitary confinement. In that order”

“HECTOR…!” Valerie almost jumped from her seat. She got a few eyes from other people in the room. She took a slow breath through her nose. “You can’t just do that. You need to get out as soon as possible. I didn’t come back to England for fun.

Hector crossed his arms “Well, you didn’t see this nurse”

“Falling in love with another guy then?”

“A woman this time” he said looking all smug

“Behave or both of us will be out of an inheritance”

Smugness leaving his face “Why would Dad do that though? We haven’t spoken to each other in years and now we have to all be at his funeral for a share of his business. Have you found Cassandra?”

“Yeah. She’s not too far away but she’s settled down.”

“That’s… not what I expected,” Hector's eyebrow raised in confusion. “She was the worst of us. What is she doing now?”

“Has a husband, kids and a bakery.” Valerie leaned back in her seat

Hector choked on his breath “What!?”

Valerie just shrugged. “I’m pretty sure her husband and kids don’t even know we exist.”

“That’s very ‘Mum’ of her.” He said solemnly

“She knew her the longest. Before she died.”

Hector stared daggers at her. “You don’t need to remind me”

“And with that, I’ll be leaving.” Valerie said as she got up “I’ve got some curry waiting for me”

“Oh, I could kill for some curry” he smirked

Valerie stood tall above his seated position “DON’T go there” she pointed at him “Don’t even make jokes like that. You’ll be out soon so stay-“

“Safe?” he feigned gratitude “How precious of you, little sister”

“- out of trouble” she continued “We’re getting close to the reading of the will and you need to be there for it.”

A guard came to collect Hector “As always, it’s been nice chatting to you. These talks are always so brief. It’s a shame you keep cutting them short.” He blows her a kiss “Until next time, sister” The guard guided him away, but she could tell. She could tell he was smiling at that exchange. That annoyed her.

As she was leaving the building, she checked her phone. Quarter past six. Valerie wondered whether she should go. And then she realised she needed to do something that wasn’t work and wasn’t exasperating. She got into her car. Maybe pottery wasn’t the most productive way to spend her time but everyone else had things to waste their time on. Partners, friends, family. It was time she had a thing. To pottery it was then.