Right then. Either you help me strip Vicky of her parental rights, or I walk, and you sort this mess yourselves.
Natalie, for heavens sake! Shes your sister! And my daughter! Mum threw her hands up before clutching her chest dramatically.
And what am I? Not your daughter? Natalies voice cracked with hurt. Sometimes I think Im not even a person to you Cant you see whats happening? Ive grown to love little Alfiehes my whole worldand yet you Either back me up, or Ill do this alone. But Im not backing down.
Mum looked away, torn. Dad just scowled into his mashed potatoes, stabbing them with his fork. Realising shed lost, Natalie stood and walked to her room.
Clearly, her parents had made their choice. And it wasnt her. Or Alfie.
She began packingnot that she owned much. Her chest ached, but she knew this had to be done.
Then came the hardest part: tiny hands clutching her legs, hiccupping sobs.
Mummy, dont go Alfie pleaded, watching her shove clothes into a bag.
Mummy. That word stabbed her heartagain. Natalie sighed, knelt down, and forced a smile.
Im not leaving you, sweetheart, she whispered, hugging him tight. Im leaving so things can be better for us one day. Ill come back. For good. Promise.
Alfie wailed, not understanding why his auntthe woman he called Mumwas abandoning him. He clung to her jumper so fiercely she couldnt leave until hed cried himself to sleep. Only then did she tiptoe out, well past midnight.
In that moment, Natalie hated Vicky. This was all her fault.
Vicky had started her wild streak at sixteen. First, it was late nights, then «sleepovers at friends»though everyone knew what that meant. Shed stumble home smudged with mascara, reeking of booze, sometimes in tears. And their parents? Theyd fuss over her like she was some tragic heroine.
Pregnancy was inevitable. At seventeen, Vicky got knocked upno idea by whom. Just some «bloke from a party.»
Alfie arrived. Vicky lasted two weeks before realising nappies and night feeds werent her idea of fun. Soon, she was vanishing overnight. Then she vanished for good.
Im too young to throw my life away, shed told Natalie over the phone.
So the «life» landed on Natalie. Grandpa barely acknowledged Alfiemaybe bought him a rattle once. Granny helped when she could, but between shifts at the hospital, time was tight.
Natalie was eighteen. She switched to part-time uni, raising Alfie between lectures. She became his mother in every wayeven christening him herself.
It was brutal. Night feeds, pram struggles up tube stairs, exams on two hours sleep. By six months, shed adjustedthen Vicky returned, sobbing at their parents feet.
I was such an idiot Ill change, I swear
They believed her. Even Natalie. For a month, Vicky played mumuntil the neighbours praise dried up. Then she bolted again, this time nicking Mums jewellery.
Shes just struggling, Mum excused. Shell come round. Give her time.
Natalie stopped believing. Once was chance; twice was a pattern. But what choice did she have? Her parents lived in delusion, where Vicky got infinite chances. She couldnt just take Alfie and vanish
So she soldiered on. Studies, nursery runs, doctor visits. Hoping Vicky wouldnt return.
No such luck. Four years later, Vicky reappeared.
I thought he loved me! We were gonna move in, take Alfie Turns out he just used me. Left me jobless, friendless, stranded in Manchester
Funny, you dont look like you missed many meals, Natalie snorted.
Mum shot her a glare. The spotlight swung back to «poor Vicky.»
The worst came when Natalie brought Alfie home from nursery. Granny pushed him toward Vicky. He burst into tears, hiding behind Natalie.
Dont be silly! This is your real mummy!
No! Mummys here! He clung to Natalie.
Her heart shattered.
Predictably, Vicky stayed two monthsjobless, sponging off them.
Wholl hire me with a kid? Sick days all the time. Basically still on mat leave, she scoffed when Natalie asked her plans.
Then she vanished again. No explanationjust Instagram posts with a new «boyfriend» who looked twenty years older.
Right. Another pub regular, Natalie thought.
Hope died. But what now?
She confided in her best mate, Emily.
Easy. Terminate her rights. Social servicesll see shes MIA. Then sort the rest.
Natalie balked.
What if they take Alfie? And Mumll lose it
Or wait for Vickys next breakdown. Your call. But she could demand he supports her later. Andbetween uswhen do *you* get a life?
She hadnt. Dates bolted when they heard she had a «kid.» Only Liam, her uni mate, stuck aroundthough shed brushed him off, buried in family chaos.
After Emilys nudge, she gave Liam a shot. With him, she finally breathed. He listened. Helped.
So when her ultimatum blew up, she went to him. Just to vent. But Liam surprised her.
Move in with me. Maybe nows the time?
I cant. Alfie
So well be a trio.
She gaped.
But hes not even
Nat, he cut in. Im not daft. If hes family to you, he is to me.
Something thawed inside her.
The next six months were hell. Social workers, paperwork. Worse, she couldnt take Alfie straight away. He cried for her nightly.
How could you steal your sisters child?! Mum raged.
Like she ever wanted him, Natalie shot back.
She was banned from home. Everyone but Liam and Emily cut ties.
But after the storm comes calm.
Years later, Natalie watched Alfie teach his little sister, Poppy, to kick a football. Liam squeezed her shoulder.
No word from Vickynot that she cared. Probably still partying, milking their parents for sympathy.
Speaking ofthey never forgave Vicky. Fine by her.
Let them coddle their lost cause. Shed focus on those who mattered.
