Always Second Best

By Robyn C Rye

After the deaths of her Aunt and Uncle, Harper's life takes a turn for the worse. Constantly undermined by her Mother and cousin, Harper struggles to survive amid criticism and unexpected nastiness. Harper turns to her Father for support, and as she tries to avoid conflict at home, Don Byars attempts to minimise the damage his wife and her entitled niece inflict on his daughter.

            Harper moves from home to pursue her nursing qualifications, but even then, her cousin lures her friends and boyfriends into becoming her latest conquests. After one too many incidents, Harper leaves her hometown and moves to a new satellite city far away. Despite her reluctance to become involved in a relationship, Harper is drawn to Rhett Landry, a contractor/ farmer who pursues her.

            Her new start doesn't all go smoothly, and when her relationship with Rhett implodes, it takes the interference of her friend and Rhett's family to help him make a big statement that confirms his commitment. When Harper is called back to Heathcote for her cousin's wedding, she watches with satisfaction as Karma catches up with Desiree and her Mother.

            Discarding her relationship with her Mother and cousin, Harper leaves Heathcote for the last time. Once she returns to Flinder's Ridge, the future Harper always wanted is within her reach, and the loving relationship she desired is hers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: robyncrye
• Release date: Mar 31, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224932177

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Copyright © 2024 by Robyn C Rye

All rights reserved . The reproduction, distribution or transmission in any form or by any means without the publisher’s prior written permission is strictly prohibited except as permitted by copyright law.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or businesses, companies, events, institutions or locales is entirely coincidental. The author expressly prohibits any entity from using this publication to train AI technologies to generate text. Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text, including, without limitation, technologies capable of generating works in the same style or genre as this publication, is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license the use of this work for generative AI training and the development of machine learning language models.

Author’s Message

As a reader, you may wonder why some words seem misspelt, but as an Australian writer, I use English spellings rather than American ones. So, NO! I am not a poor speller, and I have used the spell check, but with an Australian slant.

I loved recounting the story of Harper and Rhett, and I hope you enjoyed the unfolding tale of their trials and successes.

If you enjoyed the book and have a moment, I would appreciate a brief review on the page or site where you purchased it. Your help in spreading the word is appreciated. Reviews from readers like you make a massive difference in helping new readers find stories like Always Second Best.

Chapter One

Even as a five-year -old, Harper knew that when her Mother started frantically cleaning, her family were expecting a visit from Aunt Eva, Uncle Chad, and their horrid daughter Desiree. It felt like the preparations were for royalty, and Harper wondered why this was so. Weren’t her Aunt and Uncle ordinary people? Why would her Mother pull out all the stops for her sister and the family?

Visits from her relatives were few and far between, and Harper felt grateful for that. Her Mother was always sad after the family left. Harper thought it might be related to a new acquisition her aunt bragged about or an overseas exotic holiday the Samson family had planned. She knew that her Father suffered during these visits as much as she did, and after her relatives left, her parents would argue, although Harper wasn’t privy to the reason for the argument. Harper thought she would tell Aunt Eva and Uncle Chad they weren’t welcome if she were an adult, but the choice was not hers.

While the adults had morning or afternoon tea, Harper was supposed to play with her cousin. Although they were close in age, Desiree treated Harper like a baby. She laughed at Harper’s toys, bragging that she had the newest edition of a game or book Harper had. When Harper suggested an activity, Desiree declared it childish. For Harper, the visits were unpleasant, and whenever she waved goodbye to the Sampson family, she silently prayed that it would be years before the relatives visited again.

After the last disastrous visit, Harper entered her Father’s study. Bookshelves lined the room, and the overflow leaked out onto the floor. Harper loved this room; there was nothing in here that her relatives were privy to, and she understood why her Father often hid in his private place. As she entered, her Father raised his head and smiled at her.

We survived another visit from the royal members of your Mother’s family. How did you fare with the princess?

Dad, she’s horrid. She treats me like a baby and laughs at my games. Why do we have them visit when they are so snobbish and only come to skite about their money? Why can’t we have new things and holidays like they do so that we can brag about our stuff?

Her Dad patted his knee and said, Come here, Harper.

When Harper climbed onto her Father’s lap, he said, I am a professor at the university. Although the job carries prestige, the pay is not particularly generous. We might have more money if your Mum went to work, but would you want to return to an empty house after school? Would you like to prepare the nighttime meals so when your Mum arrives home, tired from her job, she can cook the meal?

No, that doesn’t sound good.

Is there anything you need, not want but need, that we don’t provide?

No, but if I show Desiree something of mine that is new, she always laughs and says she has a more expensive model and how much I must hate being poor. Can’t you get a job like Uncle Chad that pays lots of money?

Sweetheart, I have a job I like. Do you want me to find something that pays more and I hate? It would make me sad to leave the university and work somewhere else. It takes many years to become a professor, and I enjoy what I do. Uncle Chad might have a job, he says, that pays lots of money, but he and Aunt Eva spend every cent he earns and more. I try to save money so if something happens to me, you and your Mum can still live here, but your Aunt and Uncle never plan for the future. They have a big house and a flashy car. Desiree attends the top private school in the area, but they have not paid for any of those things. They don’t own anything, and if something bad happened to Uncle Chad, Aunt Eva would find herself without money and in lots of debt.

So, it is better to live like we do?

Yes, in a few years, we will own the house, as modest as it is. We owe nothing on our car and pay our bills on time. Your Aunt and Uncle may think I am too cautious and boring, but everyone lives differently.

He slid Harper from his lap and stood with a sigh.

I wish it were as easy to explain to your Mother as it was to you. The visits always make her sad and dissatisfied.

Two Years later

The situation with the family visits persisted for years. Eventually, the dissatisfaction caused by the Sampson family’s visit dissipated, and calm returned to the Byars’ household. Her Mother stopped looking sad, and Harper forgot her cousin’s behaviour. Don Byars and Harper prayed that her mother’s sister and brother-in-law would stay away from their home, and for now, they had pushed the memories aside.

The topic foremost in Harper’s mind was her upcoming birthday party. The guest list included Harper’s best friends, Beth and Layla, and other girls with whom she was friendly. Harper heard her Mother’s suggestion to ask Desiree with concern. Was the woman serious? After her Mother suggested that Harper invite her cousin, Harper refused. No amount of cajoling could convince Harper to ruin her sixteenth birthday by asking the cousin she despised. This birthday was a milestone because, in a week, Harper would become a teenager. Why would she ruin her party by inviting her cousin?

No, Mum, just no. She would look down her nose and belittle the presents my friends gave me. She would tell everyone about her grown-up party, where her parents served mocktails and expensive seafood. I’m sad that she is your only niece, but she’s horrid, and I refuse to allow you to ruin my party by inviting her.

But Harper, she is your only cousin. It would make me happy to see you two become good friends.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we will never be good friends. I don’t need her superiority to ruin my party.

Her Father, who rarely intervened when his wife and daughter disagreed, said, Rose, it is kind of you to suggest inviting Desiree, but I agree with Harper. The girl is a huge snob, and she would ruin Harper’s party. Despite your wish, the girls are not friends, and Desiree wouldn’t be upset at not being invited. If you must have your family celebrate Harper’s birthday, choose another day.

I guess that would be best. But it makes me sad that the girls can’t be friends.

Harper sighed with relief, and her Father winked at her. She mouthed Thank you when her Mother turned her back on the pair.

Harper’s party was everything she could have wanted. Her best friends since first grade, Layla and Beth, gave her a photo album of the three of them, and the gift delighted Harper. Other friends from school gave her an assortment of gifts, ranging from hair ties to books to a small makeup kit. While she appreciated the gifts, Harper loved that her friends were there, and they could share the day together. When the party ended, and a parade of cars lined the driveway waiting for the adolescent revellers, Harper glowed, her happiness evident. The sad aspect of her day was that her Mother had taken her husband’s suggestion and invited her family to dine with them.

As the expensive car pulled into the driveway, Harper ducked into her Father’s study.

Thanks, Dad, for that splendid suggestion. I shouldn’t complain too much because it stopped Desiree from ruining my party, but any visit is one too many. I hope they eat and run.

Her Father pulled a face and said, Sorry, I didn’t think that out well. I just wanted to stop your Mum from inviting that girl to the party. Look on the bright side. You had your party and enjoyed yourself.

For the party, her Mum served party pies and sausage rolls, hot dogs, fairy bread, and, of course, a cake. Her friends had eaten the spread without comment, but Harper knew her Mother wouldn’t serve that party fare to her relations. Desiree gave a considerable performance in presenting Harper with a professionally wrapped gift. Inside was a lovely cashmere jumper, and Harper profusely thanked her Aunt and Uncle.

Oh, Harper, it’s nothing. Desiree said that some of your clothes are shabby, so we thought the jumper might raise the bar, so to speak.

Harper blushed, embarrassed for her parents and herself.

How kind you are. Allow me to put it in my bedroom. I’d hate it to get dirty before I wear it.

Harper ran from the room, afraid that much more of the patronising conversation would see her explode. How dare that snobbish cow criticise her clothes?

When she returned to the dining room, where her Mother had set the table for dinner, Harper scowled at her cousin when she said, How quaint.

Please, Desiree, tell me what is quaint about the table setting? Are you so entitled that you have to eat from golden bowls and sip your expensive drinks from crystal goblets?

Aunt Eva gasped, and Desiree looked down her nose at Harper. When she caught her Father’s eye, she could have sworn he was stifling a grin, but her comment had mortified her Mother.

Goodness, Harper, what possessed you to say such a thing?

After Harper apologised for her comment, the meal progressed in awkward silence. It was the first time Harper had been in a room with her relations, and they had not spoken of their wealth and their next expensive holiday. Harper’s comment to