Only think about yourself, I mutter, halflaughing.
My dear, please dont leave me. Without you I cant get Alex on his feet! Ive no money, Im not working, and you earn quite well Emily, lend me even ten pounds! Ill pay you back, I swearjust a little later
Emily has never been closer to her cousin Hannah than now. Her relationship with her mother has long since ended, and she barely talks to her younger sister after a longstanding family feud. Since childhood Emily feels shortchanged because of that. She funds her own university degree, spends years searching for her place, and once she starts earning a decent salary she first secures her own flattaking out a mortgage and buying a twobedroom near the city centre.
Emily works hard, never shying away from extra tasks, often bringing projects home and using her weekends for them. Her cousin Hannah, a striking beauty, prefers lavish vacations and lives mainly off men, regularly borrowing money from Emily until her next payday. At first Emily sees nothing wrong with it.
One evening the phone rings. The screen shows Hannahs name.
Hi, Emily! How are you?
Hey. All good, just at work. You?
Hannah sighs heavily.
Listen, Ive got a small problem. My landlord just hiked the rent, and I need fifty pounds right now or Ill be evicted!
Emilys heart races.
What? Why did he raise it?
He says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Emily pauses, weighing the request.
Ive saved that money for a holiday
Emily, 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.
Ha, Hannah, Im saving for a trip and
You cant wait a couple of days? Please, please!
Emily sighs.
Fine but only for a few days. I dont want my holiday to go bust because of your irresponsibility.
Thank you so much! Do you have my card details? Send it over!
Emily does, but she never sees her money returned.
***
Three months later Emily musters the courage to call Hannah.
Hey, Hannah, how are you?
Oh, Emily, hi! Im fine. Whats up?
Emily feels a flush of shame.
Remember the money you borrowed?
Yes, of course. So?
I really need it now. My phone broke, clients keep calling and I cant hear them. I need a new one, but Ive got no cash. Please, give it back.
Hannah snorts.
Emily, a new phone for half a grand is a bit lavish, isnt it? Maybe you could manage something cheaper?
Emily tries to explain.
Phones are pricey, and I need a decent one for work, otherwise the software wont run.
Emily, I cant pay you back right now. Ive moved into a pricier flat and my bills are through the roof.
But you promised
I remember, I do! As soon as I sort my finances Ill repay you, honestly.
Emily, recalling the previous disappointment, sighs heavily. After several direct asks and the usual excuses, she resigns herself to losing that cash.
***
A few months later Hannah calls again.
Emily, I urgently need your help!
What now?
I need money, even a little.
Emily, I told you my finances are tight. My quarterly bonus still hasnt arrived.
Just something! My wallets empty and Im constantly hungry, I dont know what to think!
Did you see a doctor?
No time!
You havent worked for two months.
And what of it? Stop beating around the bush, Emily. Do you have any cash?
Emily sighs.
The most I can spare is five or six pounds.
Five pounds? Are you kidding?
Thats all I have, Hannah.
Fine, send the five.
Emily tries to avoid Hannahs calls, but the cousin keeps reminding her of her presence.
***
Hannahs unexpected pregnancy adds another layer of trouble. She is dating an ambitious single man and believes the baby will secure her future. Emily doubts this. One afternoon, over tea, Emily gently voices her concerns.
Hannah, maybe you shouldnt pin all your hopes on this guy.
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known him for a week. How can you be sure about a child?
What? He truly loves me! As soon as he hears about the baby hell propose.
It feels reckless. What if he doesnt marry you?
Hell still support us. Hes a decent fellow!
Better rely on yourself
Come off it, Emily! Youre just jealous because you dont have a man. Once the babys born everything will be fine.
A few months later Hannah bursts into Emilys flat, tears streaming.
He he left me!
Who left you?
Hannah nods, choking on sobs.
He said it wasnt his child. He told me I have plenty of men like him and even threatened me if I tried to blackmail him.
I warned you
Dont say anything! Im already in a mess! What should I do?
If youre not sure you can manage, maybe consider ending the pregnancy?
Hannah, youre saying that now? Its five months in! Ive been pretending its not about money! Where do I go from here?
You said youre scared you cant handle it. What will you live on? No job, no cash. Hes walked away, refusing responsibility. Think clearly!
Enough, Hannah wipes her eyes. Ill give birth and see what happens. Maybe Ill write a letter to the father or hell change his mind. Can you lend me something for the first few weeks? The doctor prescribed expensive vitamins and Im broke!
Emily sighs, opens her banking app, and transfers what she can.
***
Hannah soon brings her son home from the hospital and immediately begins shifting her burdens onto Emily, constantly asking for help under the pretext of caring for the child, even for the smallest chores. She calls from dawn until night.
Emily, hi! Can you swing by the shop? Were out of milk and Alex is crying.
Its nine at night, Hannah. Cant you go yourself? The shops just down the road.
I cantmy backs sore since this morning, I can barely move. And I dont feel like dressing Alex up. Please!
Emily sighs.
Alright, Ill go, but thats the last time.
Thank you, love! While youre there, grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, a bag of chicken breast and some sausage. Ill be waiting!
When Hannahs son falls ill, she demands Emily drive to the emergency pharmacy in the middle of the night.
Hannah, whats wrong?
Emily, Alex has a fever! I need help fast!
What? We just talked a few hours ago and everything was fine!
I dont know. Hes crying, cant breathe. I need an antipyretic. A paediatrician I know suggested I pick it up from the nightpharmacy.
Are you serious? Thats reckless without a checkup! Call an ambulance!
No, the ambulance will just take him to the hospital and they’ll put him on a drip. The paediatrician sells these fancy supplements, I trust her. Ill tell you what to buy, you just bring it, please, its for his health!
This is too much. Why should I drive across town at midnight?
But hes screaming! You dont want anything bad to happen to him, do you?
Emily fights back irritation.
Fine, Ill be there, but rememberthis is the final time.
Every personal request from Hannah, even when unrelated to the baby, masquerades as something essential for the child. Emily feeds, dresses, and treats Alex for about a year and a half.
Finally, the last straw arrives.
Emily, hi! I need a new dress urgently, Ive nothing to wear. And Alex needs new boots too.
Hannah, thats enough! I cant keep doing this. You keep demanding for the child and Im exhausted. I have my own life!
What do you mean exhausted? Who will look after my child then? Are you saying hell starve and go barefoot?
I want you to take responsibility for your own life and your son. Im done supporting you!
You selfish! You only think of yourself! What am I supposed to do now?
Do whatever you want, but not with my help.
Emily hits the mute button. Hannah spends the rest of the day sending abusive messages, demanding money and apologies. Emily holds her groundshe never gives in. The next morning, Emily goes to her office, changes her contact number, and finally breathes a sigh of relief. She now has to reflect on how she ended up in this situation and start rebuilding her own life.
