Sisters, sisters, there were never such [insert word here] sisters ... Families! I got into it with Lesley (sister) tonight.

We have an aunt, our mum's oldest sister, the only one of the three sisters left. She's 90 next month. She lives up in Manchester. Last year my cousin organised a big party for her, and I travelled up to Manchester for it. Lesley didn't go. All Auntie Nell wanted to know was 'Where's Lesley? Is Lesley here? Isn't Lesley coming?' - never mind that I'd travelled 250 miles, all she wanted was to see Lesley (who never, ever phones her or keeps in touch with her or with any of that side of the family). She's not seen Lesley since my 40th birthday party when everyone came down to Essex. Lesley is 50 miles away from Manchester but can't be arsed to make the trip. She's always been more interested and involved with the family of whichever man she's married to than her own relatives.

Anyway, Auntie's birthday is on 25 March and that's when Diane's over. So I said to Lesley tonight if I could ask her a favour. I said that I expect Bryce (cousin) will be arranging a celebration for her 90th, and because I've got someone staying, I won't be able to go to Manchester that weekend (although I will try and make it soon after). So could Lesley please, please try to go, even if she and Andy just drive up there and stay for a couple of hours and then come back. She said she doesn't think so. I said that Auntie really wants to see her, and that she'll be 90, there won't be many more chances to see her. So then I was accused of preaching, whatever the hell that means. (I suspect it means her hearing something she doesn't want to).
The call ended on bad terms, I doubt very much if she'll make the effort to go, and I know when I go up to see Auntie all I'll hear from her is 'Where's Lesley? How's Lesley? Is Lesley coming?' because she's always been (and always will be) the blue-eyed girl who can do no wrong.
  ¶ 8:37 pm