Sophie, please, Im begging you! her cousin Daisy cries, Dont leave me. Without you I cant get Oliver on his feet! Ive got no money, Im not working, and you earn a decent wage Sophie, could you lend me just ten pounds? Ill pay you back, I promise, just a little later
For Sophie, nobody is nearer than her cousin Daisy. Her relationship with her mother has long since ended, and she barely talks to her younger sister because of a family feud that has lasted years. Sophie has always felt shortchanged by her family. She funded her university degree on her own and spent a long time figuring out where she belonged. After landing a good job, she first secured her own home she took out a mortgage and bought a flat a short walk from the city centre.
Sophie works hard, never shying away from extra tasks; she often drags projects and reports home, sacrificing weekends. Daisy, on the other hand, prefers lavish getaways and lives mainly off men, regularly borrowing money from Sophie until her next paycheck. At first Sophie doesnt see anything wrong with that.
One evening Sophies phone rings. The screen shows Daisys name.
Hey, Sophie! Hows it going?
Hey. All good, just working. You?
Daisy sighs heavily.
Listen, Ive got a little problem. My landlord just hiked the rent and I need fifty thousand pounds straight away or Ill be kicked out!
Sophie freezes.
What? Why now? Whats the reason?
She says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Sophie pauses, weighing the request.
I had saved that money for a holiday
Come on, Sophie, Ill pay you back in a couple of days. A handsome bloke promised me some cash, so Ill return the loan.
Daisy, Im putting away for a vacation and
Cant you wait a couple of days? Please!
Sophie sighs.
Fine but only for a few days. I dont want my holiday to vanish because of your irresponsibility.
Oh, thank you so much! You have my card details, right? Send it over!
Sophie sends the money. She never sees it return.
***
Three months later, gathering courage, Sophie calls Daisy.
Daisy, hi! How are you?
Oh, Sophie, hi! Im fine. What do you need?
Sophie feels a flush of shame.
Daisy, remember you borrowed money from me?
Yes, of course. So?
I really need it back now. My phone broke, clients keep calling and I cant hear them. I need a new one but I have no cash Please, give me the loan back.
Daisy snorts.
Sophie, you think a new phone at half a thousand pounds is a bit much? Maybe you should look for something cheaper?
Sophie defends herself.
Phones are pricey these days, and I need a decent one for work, something that can run all the software I use.
Sophie, I just cant pay you right now. I moved into a pricier rented flat, you know how the bills stack up.
But you promised
I remember, I do! As soon as I sort my finances Ill pay you back, honestly.
Sophie, recalling the previous disappointment, lets out a heavy sigh. After several direct requests and the usual excuses, she resigns herself to losing that money.
***
A few months later Daisy calls again.
Sophie, I need your help urgently!
What now?
I need money, even a little.
Sophie, I told you Im strapped. I havent even got my quarterly bonus yet.
Just a little! My wallets empty and Im constantly hungry, I dont know what to think!
Have you seen a doctor?
No time!
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 thousand pounds.
Five thousand? Are you kidding me?
Thats all I have, Daisy.
Fine, send the five.
Sophie tries to avoid Daisy, but the cousin keeps reminding her of her presence.
***
Daisys unexpected pregnancy adds another layer of trouble for Sophie. Daisy is dating an ambitious single man and believes the baby will secure a comfortable future. Sophie disagrees. One afternoon over tea she gently voices her doubts.
Daisy, maybe you shouldnt count on this bloke so much?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known each other a week. How can you be sure about a child?
He really loves me! As soon as he finds out, hell marry me.
I think youre being reckless. What if he doesnt?
If he doesnt, hell still support me and the baby. Hes a decent fellow!
Daisy, its better to rely on yourself
Youre just jealous, Sophie! You dont have a man. When the baby arrives everything will be fine.
A few months later Daisy turns up at Sophies flat in tears.
He he he left me!
Who left you? The man?
Daisy nods, choking on sobs.
He said the child isnt his. He said hes got 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?
Daisy if youre not confident, maybe you should consider terminating the pregnancy?
Daisy erupts.
What are you saying?! Its five months! Ive been dragging it out so hed think I wasnt after money! Where do I put him now?
You said youre scared you cant cope. How will you live? You have no job, no money. Your father walked out, refusing any responsibility. Think clearly!
Enough, she wipes her eyes, Ill give birth and see what happens. Maybe Ill write him a letter or hell change his mind. Can you lend me some cash for the first few weeks? The doctor prescribed expensive vitamins and Im broke!
Sophie sighs and opens her banking app.
***
Daisy takes her son from the hospital and almost immediately starts shifting her problems onto Sophie, constantly demanding help under the guise of caring for the child, even for trivial tasks. She calls from morning till night.
Sophie, hi! Could you pop to the shop? Ive run out of milk and Oliver is crying.
Its nine at night, Daisy. Cant you go yourself? The shop is just down the road.
I cant. My backs killing me since this morning, I can barely move. And dressing Oliver is a nightmare. Please!
Sophie sighs.
Fine, Ill go. But this is the last time.
Oh thank you, love! While youre at it, grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, a bag of chicken breasts and some sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Daisys son falls ill, she wakes up at midnight demanding Sophie fetch medicine from the emergency pharmacy.
Daisy, whats wrong?
Sophie, Oliver has a fever! I need help urgently!
What? We just talked a few hours ago and everything was fine!
I dont know. Hes screaming, cant breathe. I need a fever reducer. I called a paediatrician I know, she suggested a specific brand. Just buy it from the 24hour chemist.
Sophie, are you serious? No examination, just the paediatrician said? Call an ambulance!
No, the ambulance will just take him to the hospital and put him on a drip. The paediatrician says the meds will sort it. She sells these fancy supplements Just bring what she told me to buy, please, for the childs health!
This is too much. Why should I drive across town in the dead of night?
But hes crying! You dont want anything bad to happen to him, do you?
Sophie suppresses her irritation.
Alright, Im coming, but remember, this is the final time.
Every personal request Daisy makes, even unrelated to the baby, is framed as essential for the child. Sophie dresses, feeds, and treats Oliver for over a year and a half.
Eventually she reaches her limit. The last straw arrives with another demand.
Sophie, hi! I need a new dress right away, Ive nothing to wear. Oliver also needs new shoes
Daisy, thats enough! I cant keep doing this. Youre always demanding for the child, and Im exhausted! I have a life too!
What do you mean exhausted? Who will help me then? Do you want my child to starve and go naked?
I want you to start taking responsibility for your own life and your son! Im not going to support you any longer!
You selfish! All you think about is yourself! What am I supposed to do now?
Do whatever you want, but without me.
Sophie hits the mute button. Daisy spends the rest of the day sending abusive messages, demanding money and apologies. Sophie holds her ground; the bratty cousin never gets the answer she wants. The next morning Sophie walks into her office, changes her phone number, and finally breathes a sigh of relief. Now she has to reflect on how she ended up here and what steps to take next.
