Just think of yourself, I heard my sister beg, please, Emma, dont leave me. Without you I cant keep Jamie on his feet! Ive got no money, Im not working, and you earn quite well Emma, lend me at least ten pounds! Ill pay you back, I swear. Maybe a little later
Emma had never been closer to her cousin Diana than she was now. Their mother had been out of the picture for years, and a longstanding family feud meant she barely spoke to her younger sister. From an early age Emma felt shortchanged because of it. She pulled herself through university on her own and spent years looking for her place in the world. When she finally started earning a decent wage, the first thing she did was secure her own flat she took out a mortgage and bought a twobedroom apartment not far from the city centre.
Emma was a workhorse, never shying away from extra tasks, often dragging projects and reports home and burning weekends on them. Her cousin Diana, on the other hand, loved luxury holidays and lived largely off the generosity of men, habitually borrowing money from Emma until her next paycheck. At first Emma saw nothing wrong with it.
One evening the phone rang. The screen flashed Dianas name.
Hey, Sophie! Hows it going?
Hello. All good, just working. You?
Diana let out a long sigh.
Listen, Ive got a little problem. My landlord just hiked the rent and I need fifty pounds straight away or Ill be out on the street!
Emmas heart jumped.
What? Why did she raise it?
She says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Emma paused, weighing the request.
I had some savings set aside for a holiday
Please, Emma! Ill pay you back in a couple of days. A handsome bloke promised me cash, Ill return the loan as soon as he does.
Diana, Im saving for a trip and
Can you just hold on for a few days, love? Please!
Emma sighed.
Fine but only for a couple of days. I dont want my holiday to go bust because of your irresponsibility.
Thanks a ton! You have my card number, right? Send it over!
Emma sent the details, but the money never returned.
Three months later, gathering her courage, Emma called Diana.
Hey, Diana, how are you?
Oh, Sophie, all right. Whats up?
Emma felt a flush of shame.
Remember that money you borrowed?
Yes, what about it?
I really need it now. My phones broken, clients are calling and I cant hear them. I need a new one but Ive got no cash Please, give it back.
Diana snorted.
Emma, a smartphone is a bit much, isnt it? Maybe look at something cheaper?
Emma tried to explain.
Phones are pricey these days, and I need one that can run all the software I use for work.
Sophie, Im flat broke at the moment. I just moved to a pricier rented flat, you can imagine the bills.
But you promised
I remember, I remember! As soon as I sort my finances Ill pay you back, honestly.
Emma, recalling the earlier betrayal, let out a heavy sigh. After several blunt requests and the usual excuses, she resigned herself to the loss.
A few months later Diana called again.
Sophie, I need your help urgently!
What now?
I need money, even a little.
Sophie, I told you my finances are tight. I havent even gotten my quarterly bonus yet.
Just a few pounds, Im emptyhanded. My stomachs growling, I dont know what to think!
Did you see a doctor?
No time!
Youve been unemployed two months now.
So what? Emma, dont sugarcoat it. 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, Diana.
Fine, send it.
From then on Emma tried to avoid Diana, but the cousin kept popping up like a bad smell.
When Diana unexpectedly got pregnant, her problems multiplied. She was dating a promising single bloke and assumed the baby would secure a comfortable future. Emma disagreed. One afternoon over tea she tried to voice her doubts.
Diana, maybe dont count on that lad so much?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known him a week. What baby?
He loves me truly! Hell marry me as soon as he hears about the child.
I think youre being reckless. What if he doesnt?
Hell still provide for us. Hes a decent chap!
Better to rely on yourself
Oh, stop, Emma! Youre just jealous because you dont have a man. Once the baby arrives, everything will be fine.
A few months later Diana turned up at Emmas door in tears.
He he he left me!
Who left you? That man?
Diana nodded, choking on sobs.
He said it wasnt his child. He said hes had plenty of girls like me and threatened me if I tried to blackmail him.
I told you
Dont say anything! Im already a mess! What do I do now?
If youre not sure you can handle it, maybe think about terminating the pregnancy?
Diana erupted.
What are you saying?! Its five months! Ive been dragging it out so hed think I wasnt after cash! Where do I put him now?
But you said you were scared you couldnt manage. What will you live on? You have no job, no money. The father walked off, leaving you high and dry.
Enough, Ill give birth and see what happens. Maybe Ill write a termination note or the bloke will have a change of heart. Can you lend me something for the start? The doctors fees and vitamins are expensive and Im penniless!
Emma opened her banking app.
Diana later collected her son from the hospital and immediately began shifting all her responsibilities onto Emma, constantly demanding help under the pretext of caring for the child. From early morning till night she would ring.
Sophie, hi! Could you pop to the shop? Were out of milk and Jamies wailing.
Its nine at night, Diana. Cant you go yourself? The shops just down the road.
I cant, my backs killing me, I can barely crawl. And I dont feel like dressing Jamie up. Please!
Emma sighed.
Alright, Ill go. But thats the last time.
Thanks, love! And grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, a bag of chicken breasts and some sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Dianas son fell ill, she would call in the dead of night demanding Emma fetch medicines from the oncall pharmacy.
Emma, whats happened?
Jamie has a fever! I need help urgently!
What? He was fine a few hours ago when we talked!
I dont know. Hes screaming, cant breathe. I need a fever reducer. I called a paediatrician friend, she said to buy it from the night pharmacy.
Diana, are you serious? You cant just follow a friends advice without a checkup! Call an ambulance!
No, the ambulance will just take him to hospital, theyll give him something and thats it. I trust my paediatrician, she sells some topgrade supplements Tell me what to buy and bring it, please, its for the childs health!
Enough. Why should I be running round the city at night?
But hes crying! You dont want anything to happen to him, do you?
Emma swallowed her irritation.
Fine, Ill be there soon. But this is the last time.
Every personal request from Diana, even the trivial ones, was dressed up as something essential for the baby. Emma fed, clothed, and medicated Jamie for almost a year and a half.
Finally she snapped. The last straw came with another demand.
Sophie, hi! I need a new dress pronto, Ive got nothing to wear. And Jamie needs new shoes
Diana, thats it! I cant take it anymore! You keep demanding things for the baby and Im exhausted. I have a life too!
What do you mean exhausted? Whos going to help me? Are you saying my child should starve and go barefoot?
Im saying you need to take responsibility for your own life and your child. I wont keep supporting you!
You selfish! You only think of yourself! What am I supposed to do now?!
Do what you like, but not with me.
Emma hit the end button on the call. Diana spent the rest of the day spamming Emma with abusive messages demanding money and apologies. Emma held her ground the brat never got either. The next morning the first thing she did was go to her office, change her phone number, and finally exhale. Now she had a lot to sort out, starting with how shed ended up in such a mess.
