Mum, Ive been thinking… Why do you need three bedrooms? One seems enough, really. Little Sophie sleeps with you anyway.
At first, Emily didnt grasp what her mother was hinting at. She assumed Mum wanted to dump another «valuable» antique on thema scuffed armchair or an old sideboard that had been gathering dust for years.
«Well… yes, we dont really use the other rooms,» Emily admitted cautiously.
«Exactly! So Ive decided to rent them out. Ill find quiet, respectful tenants. No point letting good space go to waste, is there? You understand, dont you? I let you stay there, and now Im barely scraping by.»
Emily froze. At first, she couldnt believe her ears. Then a cold, crackling sensation spread through her chest. Images flashed in her mindstrangers in their kitchen, noise, chaos, endless visitorsall while her three-month-old daughter slept nearby. Maybe it wouldnt be that bad, but it was a gamble. And Emily wasnt willing to risk her babys safety.
«Mum… what do you mean, tenants? I have a child! I dont want strangers in our home.»
«Oh, dont be dramatic. I raised you in a shared flat, and you turned out fine,» her mother brushed her off. «Ive already been generous, not charging you extra while you save up. What am I supposed to dolive on the streets?»
Emily clenched her teeth. She hadnt expected such betrayal from her own mother. Mum would never dream of renting out rooms in her own flat, but here? No hesitation.
Forcing herself to set aside her hurt, Emily focused on what matteredher daughter.
«If its that important to you… fine. Well pay you for this month,» Emily finally said. «Well figure something out after that.»
She expected Mum to relentto say she couldnt take money from her own daughter, especially in her situation, to let them stay rent-free for a while. But
«Good. Ill charge you the family ratetwo thousand pounds,» Mum replied smoothly. «Just give me two weeks notice if you move out. Oh, and youll need to show the flat to the next tenants. Cant have it sitting empty, can we?»
«Fine,» Emily hissed, ending the call.
She opened her banking app and transferred the money. The moment she pressed «Send,» she felt ittheir relationship had shifted from personal to transactional.
Mum had always been like this. Louise had a knack for twisting situations to her advantage, though it had never stung Emily this badly before.
When Emily was ten, she learned that her godmother had sent lavish gifts every Christmas and birthdaya giant plush pony, a robotic dog, the latest dolls. Louise pretended they were from her, adding nothing of her own.
At the time, Emily had been hurt, but only slightly. She knew it was wrong, but the full weight of it hadnt sunk in. Her godmother, though, was furious and started sending gifts through Emilys grandmother instead.
Then there was the time Aunt Margaret and cousin Lily came to stay. They hadnt planned to visitthey just needed a place in town for a week to sort out paperwork. Theyd already booked a hotel, but Louise intervened.
«Why waste money on some dingy place with a child? Stay with me. Its not five-star, but its decent.»
Aunt Margaret hesitated but eventually agreed. Being conscientious, she stocked the fridge to bursting on the first day.
«Our treat for the food, yours for the cooking,» she said warmly. «Well be out all day, queues and all. And I want to show Lily the sights.»
They left early, returned late, and caused no trouble. Yet on the third day, Louise announced:
«Margaret, Ive overestimated myself. Maybe call that hotel?»
Aunt Margaret was livid. The hotel refused her, forcing a last-minute scramble for alternatives. Emily never saw them again.
Back then, Emily believed Mum was just tired of guests. Now she understoodLouise had wanted a free ride. Free food fit the bill, so once she got it, she kicked them out.
Before, Emily had only suffered indirectly. Teachers side-eyed her because Louise refused school donations and made scenes. She wasnt allowed to attend birthday partiesofficially because «you never know about other parents,» but really to avoid buying gifts. Still, none of that compared to the flat.
Emily and James had known each other since schoolfriends first, then something deeper. James had even given up his dream for her. Hed wanted to study medicine in another city but stayed because Emily wouldnt follow.
They both studied psychology instead. Emily became a school counsellor; James went into HR. They married, saved for a mortgage, and planned to have childrenlater, once they had their own place.
But life had other plans.
When Emily saw the pregnancy test, joy and dread warred inside her. A baby with the man she lovedbut now, when they were so close to their deposit?
«Its your choice,» James said. He wanted the baby too but understood the financial strain.
Enter Louise.
«Whats there to think about?» she declared. «Where God sends a baby, He sends the means! Stay in my second flatyour grandmothers old place. Save up properly. And dont you dare end this pregnancy! What if you cant have children later?»
Louises offer tipped the scales. Despite her difficult nature, Emily believed they had a good relationship. Here was a mother with resources, helping her struggling daughter. Noble, kinduntil it wasnt.
Now Emily didnt know where to turn. What if Louise decided two thousand wasnt enough? Or moved in her own friends?
That evening, she told James. He listened grimly, then pulled her into a tight hug as she broke down.
«Dont worry. Ill sort it. Faster than a month, I promise.»
And he did.
Days later, they visited his mother, Margaret. Nothing unusualthey dropped by often. Over tea, James mentioned the flat, how Louise had raised the rent, how they were looking to move. Margaret listened quietly, then set her cup down. You know, she said, your uncles old cottage in Walesbeen empty for years. Needs work, but its yours if you want it. No strings.
Emily stared, tears welling. James squeezed her hand under the table.
That weekend, they drove west, the city shrinking behind them. The cottage was small, damp, and overgrownbut it had a garden, quiet streets, and no ghosts of Louises bargains.
They moved in by the end of the month. On their first morning in the new place, Emily sat by the window with Sophie in her arms, sunlight pooling on the floorboards. For the first time in months, she breathed freely.
