Oh, for heavens sake, stop playing the heroine and pretending youve got everything under control, said Olivia, setting a bag of nappies and a box of baby porridge on the table. Ive seen your Instagram posts, all glossy and perfect. If only you knew the reality.
Emma didnt even glance at her sister. She sat at the kitchen table, phone glued to her face with a stonecold stare. In the next room, twoyearold Charlie was wailing for attention. Emma didnt budge.
Charlie, Im coming! shouted a voice from the master bedroom and the grandmother shuffled in to rock her grandson.
Olivia shrugged off her coat, tossed it over the back of a chair, and turned back to Emma. She was too irritated to back down easily.
Be honest. Do you really think youre coping, that youre a brilliant mum? Or are you just parroting what you read in online forums?
Emma sighed, paused for a heartbeat, but still didnt look at her sister.
Listen, I never asked you to buy anything.
Right, you didnt. As usual: you sit hungry, covered in dirty nappies while Mum pours soup and buys the next pack. Then you pretend youre some invincible supermum.
Silence fell. Even Charlies cries faded behind the wall. Only the soft murmur of grandmas voice lingered. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment.
They were all exhausted after that year and a half.
Emma had left David when Charlie was barely six months old. She walked out in a blaze of drama, railing that he couldnt even wash a plate or change a nappy. David, her ex, could only shrug. He juggled two jobs, got home late, so tired he sometimes fell asleep on the couch. Still, he tried: washing bottles, hauling grocery bags, even humming lullabiesthough they sounded more like a cat in distress.
Hes betrayed us, Emma had declared. He chose his work over us.
Olivia simply shrugged: everyone makes their own choices.
Except when that everyone ends up leaning on someone elses neck and proudly refuses to claim child support. Emma now lived like she was on holiday. Her father paid the bills, her mother cooked, and she posted inspirational captions about inner strength and female independence.
The mother entered the room, two grey crescents shadowing her eyes.
Charlies finally asleep, thank goodness. Olivia, why are you still picking on Emma again?
Me? Picking on her? Olivia laughed. All you ever do is ignore the dirty work, and she pretends it doesnt bother her. Shes happy as it is.
Im not asking for anything, mind you. No one owes anyone anything! Emma snapped.
Yeah, sure, you owe nothing. Just sit here and enjoy the free WiFi.
A memory flashed of two months earlier when their dad postponed the crownfitting again.
Itll be fine, hed said to Mum with a grin. We need to dress Charlie up; hes already outgrowing his baby onesies.
Dad never complained. He never did. Later the family discovered hed stopped taking his essential medication because there was no money to buy it. Olivia quietly transferred money for him, hoping it would go toward his pills.
Emma bolted upright, slipped past Olivia, and fled the conversationher usual move.
Olivia dont be like that Emmas
Whats Emmas problem? Shes just comfortable. Her pride will be the death of you all. You know, love, money issues arent solved by blowing kisses. After her stroke and Dads heart, she plays the tragic heroine of a lowbudget soap: solitary, proud, forever misunderstood.
Mum looked at her daughter with a painful gaze. Everyone understood, but nobody could do anything.
Olivia headed for the door, paused, and wanted to say something warm, something that would keep Mum from crying after she left.
Bye, Mum. Check the firstaid kit and talk to Dad. Ill bring the tablets tomorrow if they run out.
Ol thank you, Mum replied, voice cracked.
Olivia left without looking back, knowing shed see tears later.
A week passed. Olivia visited less often. She wasnt angryjust didnt want to watch the circus at her parents house. She turned up to drop off cash, medicine, or a toy for Charlie, then slipped out. Emma accepted everything with a blank stare, as if it were the natural order.
One morning, scrolling through contacts, Olivia stumbled on a name shed almost forgotten: Kyle. Hed once worked alongside David. Hope fluttered in her chest; maybe this was a sign.
Three days later they met at a modest café. Olivia fidgeted with a napkin. Kyle arrived seven minutes late, apologized, and sat opposite her. Hed lost a few pounds, which made him look more gaunt than handsome.
You see, he began after Olivias long tale. Im not shunning my son. Ive tried to fix things. But every time I send money, Emma sends it back and throws a fit.
They wont last long, Olivia sighed. Dad is splitting his pills. Mum turned down a rehab stay. And Emma she clings to some absurd principles. No ones at fault for her quirks.
Kyle nodded, his tone suggesting he wanted to help.
Heres a plan. Ill transfer money to you; youll allocate it. Send me receipts or photosno need for formalities. I just want Charlie to have a normal life and for your parents not to suffer because of all this.
Olivia wasnt sure she was doing the right thing. It felt a bit like betrayal, but then again, her sister wasnt a saint either.
Two days later the first transfer arrived: £110. Olivia immediately forwarded it to Mum. She was surprised more by the amount than the fact that her sister was finally accepting help.
Another smaller transfer followedfor Dads medication, then for a pair of boots for Charlie.
Emma pretended not to notice, or at least acted as if she didnt.
One evening Olivia dropped by for half an hour. Emma was in the bathroom, Charlie watched cartoons, Mum was at the stove rolling out dumplings, and Dad was helping her.
Olivia, we bought Charlie a new coat with your money! Mum beamed. Youre such a darling. Were getting a bit embarrassed accepting help maybe well manage on our own soon?
Olivia felt a pang. Shed taken undeserved praise before, and it always gnawed at her conscience. Now the whole support chain threatened to unravel.
Mum I need to tell you and Dad something. Its not meits Kyle. Hes been helping, she whispered.
Silence hung. Dad stopped kneading dough. Mum froze, spoon in hand.
Kyle? she repeated. Emma told us hed vanished.
Right. He said you were ignoring his calls, so he cut the line, Olivia sighed. She hadnt told us everything. Anyway, truth is always somewhere in the middle. The important thing is that help is coming.
Mum and Dad took the news calmly, almost relieved. They kept taking the money without a second thought.
But a new problem cropped up.
Thanks to Kyle, things are a bit easier, Mum murmured to Dad about the budget for next month.
Mum didnt know Olivia was still up late listening for any sound. She had keen ears.
Then it all exploded.
So youve been taking my exs money behind my back?! Emma stormed into the kitchen. Youre all traitors! Youve conspired against me!
A fullblown interrogation began. Mum cracked under the pressure. Later Emma started ringing Olivia at all hours.
You thought you were clever, didnt you? Acting all secretive? Youve humiliated me! My child doesnt need your charity! she shouted.
What are you on about, Emma? Olivia yawned, halfasleep. Im just doing what you cantno energy, no conscience. Stop blaming the sick for everything.
Off with you! Emma shrieked. I dont need anyones help! Ill survive on my own!
The argument ended there. Emma gathered her things, shoved Charlie into the pram, slammed the door, and vanished into the night without a destination.
A phrase a friend, Lily, had whispered half a year earlier echoed in her head: If you need anything, just call. It had sounded like a sweet promise then, now it was the only lifeline she could clutch.
Lily didnt refuse. She welcomed Emma, kissed Charlie, set a spare room, even cooked a modest dinner, then gently probed what had happened.
Everythings fine, just its getting stifling here, Emma muttered. I need some space. Ill stay with you for a bit, then figure things out.
The first night passed quietly. Lily even seemed to enjoy the companyone less voice to argue with. By morning, however, the cracks appeared. Emma left dishes in the sink, complained about the food being too salty or too greasy.
The next day she rummaged through a cupboard and produced a sealed jar of instant coffee, never asking. It turned out to be a stash for gifts. That evening she begged Lily for more cash.
Ive spent everything on nappies. Could you lend a bit? Please Until I get a job.
Lily forced a smile and said shed look into it. Later, as Charlie finally slept, Lily approached Emma.
Listen Ive got a visitor, Arthur from York. You remember? Weve been planning his stay. Lily said.
You want me to leave? Emma asked, bewildered.
Not exactly. It just happened. Maybe you have somewhere else to crash?
Yeah, Emma nodded, her throat tightening. Ill manage.
That morning Emma packed in silence, fighting back tears. Lily moved about the kitchen, keeping her distance. Emma dressed Charlie, slipped into his coat, lingered a minute in the hallway, unsure what to say, then left without a proper goodbye.
Standing outside the block, she felt a void she hadnt felt in yearsempty, ashamed, terrified. Ideas swirled like knives. Going back to Mum and Dad was out of the question. Their pills and retreats could wait. With Lily, everything was already clear.
Then she remembered Kyle. Hed been desperate to patch things up, even after shed ghosted him. Of all the people who could help, he was the only one left, so she dialed his number.
Hello?
Its me Emma. Charlie and I could we crash at your place for a few days?
A surprised pause.
Of course, Kyle replied, his voice cautious but warm.
The call ended, and a strange, tentative new life beganawkward, truststarved, but at least moving forward.
Olivia was the first to hear about the reunion. Mum and Dad kept trying to call Emma, but she never answered. After three days they gave up; on the fourth, Olivia finally reached her.
Hello?
Yeah, Emmas voice sounded deflated. Where are you? Whats happening?
Were at Kyles. Charlies fine.
At Kyles? Is Charlie okay?
Yes, were all right.
Olivia raised an eyebrow, amused. Better than the old scenario of hanging on her parents necks. She smiled faintly, hoping the stubborn pride that had pushed Emma toward Kyle wouldnt snap the fragile truce again.
