Only you think about yourself, Laura yells, pleading, please dont leave me, Sophie. Without you I cant get Ian on his feet! Ive got no money, Im not working, and you earn quite well Sophie, lend me at least ten pounds! Ill pay you back, I swear. Just a little later
Sophie has no one closer than her cousin Milly. Her relationship with her mother has long since faded, and she barely talks to her younger sister because of an old family feud. Since childhood Sophie has felt shortchanged by the family. She earned her university degree on her own and spent years searching for her place in life. After she started earning a decent salary, she first secured her own flattaking out a mortgage and buying a house not far from Central London.
Sophie works hard, never shying away from extra tasks, often taking projects home and spending weekends on them. Milly, by contrast, prefers luxury holidays and lives mainly off men, constantly borrowing money from Sophie until her next payday. At first Sophie doesnt see anything wrong with that.
One evening the phone rings. The screen shows Millys name.
Hi, Sophie! How are you? Milly says.
Hi. Im good, busy at work. You?
Milly sighs heavily.
Listen, Ive got a small problem. My landlord just hiked the rent, and I need fifty pounds urgently. Can you lend it? Otherwise Ill get evicted!
Sophie freezes.
What? Why did she raise it? she asks.
She says its because everythings getting pricier. Can you help me out?
Sophie hesitates, weighing the request.
I had that money set aside for a holiday
Milly, please! Ill pay you back in a couple of days. A handsome bloke promised me some cash, and Ill use that to settle the debt.
Dont you have a few days to wait? Come on, Sophie, please!
Sophie sighs.
Fine but only for a couple of days. I dont want my holiday to fall through because of your irresponsibility.
Thank you so much! You have my card number, right? Send it over!
Sophie sends the money. She never sees it returned.
—
Three months later Sophie summons the courage to call Milly.
Milly, hi! How are you? Sophie asks.
Oh, Sophie, hi! Im fine. What do you need?
Sophie feels a flush of shame.
Milly, remember you borrowed money from me?
Yeah, of course. So?
I really need it back now. My phone broke, clients are calling and I cant hear them. I need a new one but I have no cash Please, return the loan.
Milly snorts.
Sophie, a brandnew phone is a bit lavish, isnt it? Maybe you could look at something cheaper?
Sophie tries to defend herself.
The equipment is expensive these days, and I need a reliable one for work, to run the software properly.
Im sorry, I just cant pay you back right now. I moved into a pricier rented flat, you know how the bills are.
But you promised
I remember, I do! As soon as I sort my finances Ill pay you, honestly.
Sophie sighs, recalling the previous disappointment. After several direct appeals and the usual excuses, she resigns herself to losing that money.
—
A few months later Milly calls again.
Sophie, I need your help urgently!
What happened now?
I need cash, even a little.
Sophie, I told you my finances are tight. I havent even received my quarterly bonus yet.
Just something! My wallets empty, and Im constantly hungry. I dont know what to think!
Have you seen a doctor?
No time for that!
You havent been working for two months.
So what? Sophie, stop beating around the bush. Can you give me something?
Sophie exhales.
The most I can spare is five or six pounds.
Five pounds? Are you joking?
Thats all I have, Milly.
Fine, send the five.
Sophie tries to avoid Milly, but the cousin keeps reminding her of her presence.
—
Millys unexpected pregnancy adds another layer of trouble for Sophie. Milly is dating an ambitious single man and believes the baby will secure her future. Sophie disagrees. One afternoon, over tea, she gently shares her doubts.
Milly, maybe you shouldnt rely so heavily on this guy?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known each other a week. How can you be sure?
He loves me, Im sure! When he learns about the baby hell propose immediately.
I think youre being reckless. What if he doesnt marry you?
Hell still support me and the child. Hes a decent person.
Maybe you should start planning for yourself
Come off it, Sophie! Youre just jealous because you dont have a man! Once the baby arrives, everything will be fine.
A few months later Milly bursts into Sophies flat in tears.
He he he left me!
Who left you? The man?
Milly nods, choking on sobs.
He said the child isnt his. He has plenty of women and even threatened me if I blackmail him!
I told you
Dont say anything! Im already a mess! What do I do now?
Milly if youre not confident, perhaps consider ending the pregnancy?
Milly erupts.
What are you saying? Its five months! Ive been stalling so hed think I wasnt after money! Where do I put him now?
But you said youre scared you cant cope. How will you live? No job, no money. He walked away. Think, Milly!
Enough, she says, wiping her eyes. Ill give birth, then see what happens. Maybe Ill write a refusal letter, or maybe hell change his mind. Can you lend me some money for the first weeks? The doctor prescribed expensive vitamins, and Im broke!
Sophie sighs and opens her banking app.
—
Milly collects her son from the hospital and immediately starts shifting her problems onto Sophie, often demanding help under the guise of caring for the child, even for trivial chores. She calls from morning till night.
Sophie, hi! Could you pop into the shop? Weve run out of milk and Ian is crying.
Its nine at night, Milly. Cant you go yourself? The shop is nearby.
I cant, my back hurts since this morning, I can barely crawl. And I dont feel like dressing Ian. Please!
Sophie sighs.
Alright, Ill go. But this is the last time.
Thanks, love! While youre there, grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, a few chicken breasts, and some sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Millys son falls ill, she wakes up at midnight demanding that Sophie rush to the outofhours pharmacy.
Sophie, whats wrong?
Ian has a fever! I need help fast!
What? We just talked a few hours ago and everything was fine!
I dont know. Hes screaming, cant breathe. I need a fever reducer. A friend of mine, a paediatrician, recommended something. Buy it from the night pharmacy.
Sophie, are you serious? Just because a paediatrician suggested it, you expect me to run to a pharmacy without a checkup? Call an ambulance!
No, the ambulance will just take him to hospital and theyll give him something. The paediatrician sells these fancy supplements Ill tell you what to buy, just bring it, please. Its for the childs health!
This is too much. Why should I drive across town in the middle of the night?
But hes crying! You dont want anything bad to happen to him, do you?
Sophie forces down her irritation.
Fine, Im coming, but remember, this is the last time.
Every personal request Milly makes, even unrelated to the baby, is framed as essential for the child. Sophie feeds, dresses, and treats Ian for about a year and a half.
Eventually she reaches her limit. The final straw arrives with another demand.
Sophie, I urgently need a new dress, Ive nothing to wear, and Ian needs new shoes too
Milly, thats enough! I cant do this anymore! You constantly demand things for the child! Im exhausted! I have my own life!
What do you mean exhausted? Who will help me then? Do you want my child to go hungry and wear rags?
I want you to take responsibility for your own life and your son! Im not going to support you any longer!
You selfishheart! You only think of yourself! What am I supposed to do now?
Do whatever you like, but without me.
Sophie hits end call. Milly spends the rest of the day spamming Sophie with insulting messages, demanding money and apologies. Sophie stands firm; the brazen cousin never gets what she wants. The next morning, Sophie goes to work, changes her phone number, and finally breathes a sigh of relief. Now she has a lot to reflect on, starting with how she ended up in this situation.
