Only think of yourself, Poppy pleaded, her voice cracking. Please, Emma, dont leave me. Without you I cant keep Harry on his feet! Ive got no money, Im not working, and you earn a decent wage Give me at least ten pounds, Ill pay you back, I swear, just a little later
Emma had never been closer to her cousin Poppy. Her relationship with her mother had long since dissolved, and she kept her distance from her younger sister after a bitter family feud. From childhood Emma felt shortchanged, so she fought her way through university on her own and spent years searching for a place in the world. When she finally started earning well, her first priority was a roof of her own she took out a mortgage and bought a modest flat just off the London centre.
Emma was relentless at work, never shying away from extra tasks, often dragging projects home and forfeiting weekends. Poppy, by contrast, preferred lavish getaways and lived off the generosity of men, regularly borrowing cash from Emma until her next paycheck. At first Emma saw nothing wrong with it.
One evening the phone rang. The screen flashed Poppys name.
Hey, Emma! Hows it going?
Hey. All good, busy as ever. You?
Poppy exhaled a long sigh.
Listen, Ive got a bit of a problem. My landlord just hiked the rent and I need fifty pounds straight away or Im out on the street!
Emmas heart jumped.
What? Why now? Whats happened?
He says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Emma hesitated, weighing the plea.
Ive set aside that money for a holiday
Please, Emma, Ill repay you in a couple of days. A good bloke promised me a loan, Ill give you his cash back.
Poppy, Im saving for a getaway, and
Can you hold on for just a few days? Please!
Emma let out a weary sigh.
Fine but only for a couple of days. I dont want my holiday to go up in smoke because of your irresponsibility.
Thank you so much! You have my card details, just send it.
Emma transferred the money, but Poppy never sent a single pound back.
Three months later Emma gathered her courage and called Poppy.
Hey, Poppy, how are you?
Oh, Emma, hi! Im fine, what do you need?
Emma felt a flush of shame.
Remember the money you borrowed?
Yes, what about it?
I really need it now. My phones broken, clients cant reach me, I need a new one but I have no cash. Please, give it back.
Poppy snorted.
Emma, a brandnew phone is a bit lavish, isnt it? Maybe you could manage with something cheaper?
Emma tried to justify herself.
Its for work, I need something reliable to run the software.
Emma, Im strapped at the moment. Ive moved into a pricier flat, you know how much that costs.
But you promised
I remember, I remember! As soon as I sort my finances Ill repay you, honestly.
Emma inhaled a heavy sigh. After several direct requests and the same excuses, she resigned herself to losing that money.
Months later Poppy called again.
Emma, I need your help urgently!
What now?
I need money, even a little.
Emma, I told you Im tight. The quarterly bonus hasnt come through yet.
Just something! My wallets empty and Im constantly hungry, I dont know what to think!
Have you seen a doctor?
No time!
You havent worked in two months.
So what? Emma, stop preaching. Just give me something.
Emma sighed.
The most I can spare is five or six pounds.
Five pounds? Are you kidding?
Thats all I have, Poppy.
Fine, send it.
Emma tried to avoid Poppy, but the cousin kept resurfacing, reminding Emma of her endless demands.
Then Poppys unexpected pregnancy added another layer of strain. She was seeing a promising bachelor and was convinced the child would secure a comfortable future. Emma didnt share that optimism. One afternoon over tea she tried to voice her concerns.
Poppy, maybe you shouldnt pin everything on this guy?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known him a week. How can you be sure?
He loves me! Hell marry me as soon as he knows about the baby.
It feels reckless. What if he doesnt?
Hell support us, hes a decent man!
Better to rely on yourself
Oh, Emma, youre just jealous! You dont have a man. When the babys born everything will be fine.
A few months later Poppy showed up at Emmas flat in tears.
He he he left me!
Who left you?
The man.
Poppy nodded, sobbing.
He said it wasnt his child. He said he has plenty of girls and even threatened me if I tried to blackmail him.
I told you
Dont say anything! Im already a wreck. What do I do now?
If youre not sure you can handle it, maybe consider ending the pregnancy?
Poppy erupted.
Youre saying that? Im five months along! Ive been stalling so hed think I wasnt after money! Where do I go now?
But youre scared you cant manage. How will you live? No job, no cash. He walked away, his dad turned his back. Pull yourself together!
Enough, Poppy wiped her eyes, Ill give birth, then well see. Maybe Ill write a note to the dad or hell change his mind. Can you lend me something for the start? The doctors fees, vitamins Im broke.
Emma opened her banking app, her fingers trembling.
Poppy later collected her son from the hospital and immediately began shifting all her burdens onto Emma, even the smallest chores, cloaking them as necessities for the baby. From dawn till dusk she rang.
Emma, could you pop to the shop? Were out of milk and Harrys crying.
Its nine at night, cant you go yourself? The shops just down the road.
I cant, my backs killing me, I can barely move. And I dont want to dress Harry.
Fine, Ill go. But thats the last time.
Thanks, love! Grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, chicken breasts, some sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Harry fell ill, Poppy called in the dead of night, demanding Emma rush to a 24hour pharmacy.
Emma, Harrys got a fever! I need help right now!
What? We just spoke a few hours ago!
Hes screaming, cant breathe. Ive spoken to a paediatrician friend who said I should buy a specific remedy from the nightshop.
Are you serious? No examination, just a suggestion? Call an ambulance!
Theyll just take him to the hospital, maybe lower the fever. I trust my paediatrician, she sells these fancy supplements. Bring it over, please, its for the childs health!
Emma clenched her teeth, anger bubbling.
Alright, Im coming, but this is the final time.
Any request from Poppy, even unrelated to the baby, was presented as essential for the child. Emma fed, clothed, and tended to Harry for over a year and a half.
The last straw came one evening.
Emma, I need a new dress, Ive nothing to wear, and Harry needs new boots.
Poppy, thats enough! I cant keep doing this. I have a life too!
What do you mean enough? Who will help me? Do you want my child to starve and go barefoot?
I want you to take responsibility for your own life and your child! Im done supporting you!
You selfish thing! All you think about is yourself! What am I supposed to do now?
Do whatever you want, but not with me.
Emma slammed the phone. Poppy flooded Emmas inbox with insults, demanding money and apologies. Emma held her ground; the brazen cousin never got the answer she wanted. The next morning Emma walked into her office, changed her telephone number, and exhaled a long, liberating sigh. Now she faced the hard work of piecing together her own future, starting with understanding how shed arrived at this point.
