Hi. My name is Diane Winters.

Age 21, Height 5 ft 6. Graduate in Advanced Mathematics from LA university.

In the summer of my twenty-second year, my one and only guardian died, leaving me truly orphaned. Today is her funeral.

Yes, Adele Winters is dead. After a lifetime of glittering career, scandals and affairs, grandma has finally said goodbye to this mundane world. But not before she had a good fill of it. Oh yes, no one could say Adele Winters did not live a good life.

Even today, she is at her lavish best. They have laid her in a highly polished rosewood coffin. Intricate patterns of blooming rose bushes adorn the sides. The lid is made of heavy carved ivory, so polished the moonlight will pale in contrast. Inside, grandma lays on a white velvet mattress, her beautiful head raised on a soft red cushion. A red satin gown as shimmery as sunlight adorns her frail body.

Even in death she looks so much like her usual self. Her red lips are twisted in a knowing smirk. Her perfect brows are slightly arched as if questioning the onlooker’s motives. Her smoky eyes look as if they would open the next instant, ready to smoulder whoever is the next unfortunate victim.

“So beautiful even in death...” a photographer murmurs as he takes a close-up shot of the dead face.

“No wonder she ruled Hollywood in her heyday... ,” says another reporter, standing in front of a camera with the coffin in full view.

People are sad. Our servants are sad. My twin sister Olly, sitting next to grandma’s coffin, is sadder than ever. Olly was grandma’s favourite grandchild, and her loss is understandable. I cannot understand my feelings though- why should I feel sad for a person who never bothered with me.

I understand grandma’s reasons. It could be because of my heart trouble. I have a weak heart, it’s a congenital condition I am born with for which there is no cure. Doctors gave up long ago and grandma gave up even before that. She has always made it clear how it bothered her. It gave her sleepless nights and made her worry unnecessarily. It gave her dark circles and she hated anything dark.

Another reason is that I am not up to par in the looks department. Winters women are supposed to be blond beauties, while I am dark as if someone found me in a roadside bin and placed in the crib next to Olly. It is just inconceivable that grandma’s movie star looks did not pass on to one of her own granddaughters. Unlike her honey blond hair, my hair is midnight black. Her skin is cool as winter rose, mine is warm as summer wheat.

The nurses in the hospital too had wondered. They checked the CCTV footage thrice to confirm there was no foul play. Even then grandma suspected something was amiss. An ugly duckling like me did not belong with this flock of swans.

“Miss... could you please gives us a picture?” A reporter in an immaculate consume and red lips asks me solicitously. Her heavy-lidded eyes go up and down on me taking my measure. I colour a deep crimson.

“No please. I am sorry.”

“Please miss. Just one pic. We are doing a photo op on the Winters clan for the Vogue. It will be lovely to have a group picture.”

“I said I can’t.” I snap, turning a tail on her to hide myself in a corner. The idea of sharing a frame with the ‘Winters clan’ gives me jitters. It will be the most horrible tribute to grandma. She would not want her last pictures in glossy magazines to be marred with my presence.

*****

As the noon turns into afternoon, my stomach starts protesting. The reporter who asked for my picture is now trailing Olly who is only too willing to oblige. Olly has always aspired to follow grandma’s footsteps into Hollywood. She has the looks, the money, the glamour, and the attitude. Only the acting department is lacking but she is working on it.

“One more pic please, Miss Olivia, holding your grandma’s hand. Let your hair fall on left shoulder and tilt the head at 45%.”

Olly obliges, giving a perfect pose. The reporter is overjoyed. The only reason they don’t cheer is because it’s a funeral and not an actual photoshoot.

I shake my head as my eyes scan the hall. I spot Harold Armitage standing solemnly in a corner, staring at the coffin. They say he was crazy for grandma in their young age. There are juicy stories of how he pursued Adele Winters and how on one stormy night a reporter caught them red handed making out in a run-down studio.

My grandma certainly has had a more colourful life than me at her age. Olly tries to compete her in that department, but I am yet to start my journey.

Anyway, it looks like Harold is still not over her. Even today he appears crestfallen. Next to him, his wife Julia looks irked.

She moves to the sofa where Olly sits after the reporter left her.

“I am sorry for your loss...” Julia says, sitting beside Olly. “Adele was one of a kind. There won’t be anyone like her.”

Olly chokes with a new wave of tears. Julia tuts.

“There there...! It’s all right dear. Come see me at the academy once you settle. I’ll see if I can do anything for you.”

Olly forgets crying as her eyes turn to saucers. If ever she has a chance to make it to films, it is today. Julia was once a small-time actress, now she runs an acting academy for aspiring newbies. Not only that, but she also runs her own film production house.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Olly begins salivating. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bates, our old housekeeper, arrives that precise moment to announce lunch.

As everyone makes a way out the front garden where the food is served, finally grandma is left alone. I come out of my corner to stroll towards the coffin. The hall is quiet now except for low hum of the chatter that filters through open windows.

They would take her away soon. It’s my last chance to say goodbye to the person who brought me up.

A soft breeze blows in carrying the scent of roses. I shiver and step forward. She sleeps peacefully yet looks fully awake. In her life, she felt dead to me, now in her death, she feels more alive.

I stand near her but do not crouch. I do not like bending. Neither would grandma like me touching her flawless skin. It was a mutual understanding with which we spent our years together.

“I know you never loved me,” I say quietly scanning her pristine face. It feels like she is listening, as if her smirk has deepened. “I know I was not what you wanted. All I would say is that I always loved you. And I will try to be worthy of you, in whatever small way I can.”

*****

The funeral is over. Grandma is finally gone. We buried her with all the pomp and glory of a Hollywood star. The press will sing stories for many a week.

A month has passed, I sit in my room surrounded by my books. One side are my maths books, on the other side are my sketchbooks. On the table is the form for my post-graduate maths course. I have not filled it yet. I had asked for grandma’s permission but she had stoically said no. That was the last conversation we had on the day before she died.

“Girls don’t need mathematics,” Granny had said. “They need looks. I am willing to sponsor a cosmetic surgery but don’t ask me money for this.”

I stare at the form with empty eyes. I am in no mood to fill it. Even though there is no granny now to forbid me anymore, I do not feel like disobeying her.

I sigh and get up from the floor when there’s a knock on the door. I open it to find Olly.

*****

Olly is fuming. Her honey blond hair is dishevelled. Her eyes are red and as is the case with a crying Olly, her nose is runny.

Quietly, I pass her a box of tissues. She grabs a bunch and unloads herself on it.

“I can’t believe he did this to me!!” she exclaims with a loud snort.

I sigh. Olly and her boy troubles!

“Is it Brad again? What did he do this time?”

“Oh, didn’t you see? He did not even come for the funeral. I was so waiting for him. And today when I went to see him, he was out of town. I am sure he is with Marrisa. That bit*h always had hots for him.”

Right. So, it’s over and done with. There’s always a next time, at least for Olly.

I pass her a glass of water and turn to shower myself, but Olly is not done.

“I heard they are both on a camping trip.” She chews a fingernail as she sits on my bed. “I need to go after him...to find out what they are up to.”

What the heck?

“No Olly, you don’t.” I shoot back. “You can’t go back your old way so soon after grandma’s death. It’s not even a month for god’s sake! And you can talk to Brad when he is back.”

“Old ways? Whattddaya mean..?”

“You are always like this, Olly. You can’t take it when someone dumps you. You always go after them to get humiliated...and then I have to pick pieces. This time I am not having it. You are not going after Brad.”

“But I...”

“I said NO.” I use my big sister voice and Olly immediately cows. I am three minutes older than her and even though that’s my only advantage over her, I do use it from time to time, especially when she needs it.

I shake my head and hug her. I remember now we two are the only ones for each other. We have to stick together, come what may.

“Forget Brad,” I move away to plop myself in the bed. “He does not deserve you. And don’t you have better things to do? Like Julia? Why not meet her? She might set you up with something.”

*****

It turns out Julia is abroad. There is a movie planned and she went with her crew for an extended holiday. Olly came back teary eyed and shut herself in her room.

I try to cheer her up but in vain. There is no news of Brad or Marissa, which makes her even more whiny. The house is getting drearier by day, I feel like I see fewer and fewer people every day.

One such day, nearly six weeks after the funeral, I and Olly are summoned to the living room by the arrival of Mr. Williams. He is grandma's lawyer. He looks sombre as he asks us to sit on our own sofa and orders Mrs Bates to get something for us to drink.

I get suspicious.

“I wish you would hurry up Mr. Williams. What is it that you need to talk about?”

“It’s the final will and testament of your grandmother.” Mr. Williams clears his throat. “And I am sorry to break it to you that it’s not good news.”

The Will. Of course. Now that I think of it, it was about time. Grandma was gone and the only survivors left are I and Olly. But looking at Mr. Williams, I do not have a good feeling about this.

Olly fidgets frowning at him. I place my hand on hers and turn to the lawyer.

“Mr. Williams, can you please be clearer. What is it in grandma’s will that’s not good? As far as we know, we have never had money problems.”

“That’s right, Diane.” He addresses me. “You have never had to face money problems, because your grandmother always shieled you from them. But now that she is gone, I must be open and honest with you.”

“Adele Winters has died bankrupt. She has debts, large ones, owing to her luxurious lifestyle. To pay them, I have had to sell off her assets. This house, her shares in multiple companies, her royalties and other assets are all gone. The only thing left is some of her personal jewellery. But apart from that, everything is gone.”

I can’t believe my ears. I stare open mouthed. Olly too looks flabbergasted. Mrs. Bates lurches to the nearest armchair to sit on it.

“But...how can it be? She never said...” I splutter.

“She never said because she herself never believed it. She thought she was invincible, the incredible Adele Winters who could weather any storm. I tried to warn her multiple times, but she would not rein in her expenses. The last straw was gamble she took on a bad investment. The company went bankrupt three months ago which sank whatever was leftover of her fortune.”

Silence reigns. I do not know what to say. I always wanted to get rid of this house, gardens, swans, servants and everything with it. I never felt home here. But now that the prospect is turning real, I am stupefied.

We have nowhere else to go. Despite my degree, I have never earned a penny, I have never needed to. I had plans, but they were for the future. There is nothing in the immediate vicinity that will earn me even a day’s meal.

In short, we are doomed.

My limbs have turned cold yet my face flames hot. Clutching my fists, I count numbers, 1 to 10, then to 100, then to God knows what. Olly is sobbing in Mrs Bates’s chest. The lady herself looks on the verge, yet she is supporting Olly like a mother would do.

I purse my lips.

“How long do we have?”

“A week,” says Mr. Williams. “The house will be auctioned with it’s contents. The money will go towards settling the remaining debt. If we get offers in excess, you might get some extra cash, but the chances are slim as bidders are unlikely to pay more for such an auction.”

The lawyer stands up and I automatically mirror his action. The house already feels foreign. I do not know yet what I feel for grandma, but this is a shock indeed.

“One last thing..” Mr Williams extracts an envelope from his pocket. “This is a note your grandma left for you. She has named a guardian for you. I suggest you contact him as soon as possible.”

I take the envelope and open it. Inside is a two liner that leaves me flabbergasted.

“I am sorry to leave you to the wolves.”

Below it, is a name and address I have never heard of.

***** *****