**Diary Entry**
*Listen carefully,* my mothers partner said, his voice sharp. *Either your daughter hands over the car, or she moves out. I wont live in a house where Im disrespected!* *And where is she supposed to go?* *Not your problem! Shes grown. Time to stand on her own two feet*
Emily stood in the hallway of her parents house, listening as her mother explained through the bathroom door why she had to give up her car.
*Emily, think about it logically,* her mother said. *Andrew needs it for work. Youre just a studentwhats so hard about taking the bus?*
She pressed her back against the wall and closed her eyes. The car had been a gift from her grandfather for her twentieth birthdayold but hers. The first thing shed ever truly owned. *This way,* hed said, *you wont depend on anyone. You decide where you go.*
*Mum, the cars in my name,* Emily said calmly.
*So what? Were family!* Her mothers voice rose. *Andrews been like a father to you. Remember how he helped you with maths in Year 11?*
Emily remembered. She remembered how hed shouted at her for every mistake, how hed thrown the textbook when she didnt understand the first time.
*Thick as pig shit! Just like your mother!* hed snap.
The hairdryer roared from the bathroomher mother was clearly getting ready to go somewhere. In five minutes, shed emerge, and the argument would continue. Emily didnt want that.
*Ill think about it,* she lied, then retreated to her room.
But there was nothing to think about. She wouldnt give up the car. What to do next, thoughthat was unclear.
Emily was in her final year at university, tutoring English on the side. The money was tight, but she got by.
If you ignored the fact that *getting by* meant living in a house where every step she took was scrutinised.
Andrew had come into their lives when she was eleven. Her mother had met him at worktall, bearded, always talking. Mum loved that. Her real dad had been quiet, thoughtful. After the divorce, hed moved to London, rarely calling.
At first, Andrew tried. Brought sweets, asked about school, even took her to the cinema a few times. Emily had thought, *Maybe hes not so bad.* But it didnt last.
Once he settled into the house, everything changed. He gave ordersnever asked, never suggested, just commanded. As if she were a servant, not the daughter of the woman who owned the place.
*Make tea. Clean up after yourself. Dont stomp. Dont slam doors. Turn the telly down.* The list of demands grew daily.
And MumMum became Andrews advocate. Any complaint he made, she echoed.
*Emily, Andrews tired from work. Cant you walk quieter?*
*Emily, hes right. Whys the music so loud?*
*Emily, think of others.*
Others meant Andrew. When she begged for quiet during exams, no one cared.
*Were not in a bloody library,* hed say. *If you want silence, stay in your room.*
Her room was tinya former storage space. Just a bed and a desk. When she hid there, the walls pressed in, the air grew thin. But there was nowhere else.
Eventually, Emily learned to be invisible. Came home when Andrew was asleep or out. Ate when the kitchen was empty. Stayed quiet during family talks.
It workeduntil the car.
The next morning, Mum knocked on her door.
*Emily, are you awake? We need to talk.*
She sat up. Her mother wore a new dress, clearly expensive, her hair perfectly styled. She was going somewhere.
*Go on.*
*Andrews upset. He thought youd agree about the car.*
*Why would he think that?*
Mum sat on the edge of the bed, staring out the window.
*Emily, you know Andrew and I are planning a wedding. We want it to be nice, invite guests. But moneys tight.*
Emily said nothing.
*He needs the car for worknew position, lots of travel. Buses arent practical.*
*Then he should buy his own.*
*With what?* Mums voice rose before she caught herself. *Emily, were family. Andrews done so much for you*
*Like what?*
Mum hesitated, scrambling for an answer.
*Well he raised you. Helped with schoolwork*
*You mean shouted at me.*
*Dont you dare!* Mum stood abruptly. *He tried! Youve always been ungrateful. Your father spoiled you.*
The room fell silent. Emily barely recognised her. Once, Mum had protected hernot some stranger.
*Im not giving him the car,* Emily said.
*Then find somewhere else to live,* Mum replied coldly, and left.
Emily sat alone, her chest tight. Shed never thought it would come to this.
That evening, Andrew returned, and the house became a stage. Through the thin walls, she heard it all.
*Well? Did you talk to her?*
*I did. She refused.*
*Right. Shouldve been stricter with her. Too soft.*
*Andrew, shes young. She doesnt understand.*
*When will she? When shes a mother herself? No, Linda. If we dont put her in her place now, shell walk all over us.*
Mum murmured something too quiet to hear.
*Listen carefully,* Andrew continued. *Either she hands over the car, or shes out. I wont live where Im disrespected!*
*Where will she go?*
*Not our problem. Shes grown. Time to stand on her own two feet.*
Emily didnt sleep that night. Just lay there, wondering*Would Mum really choose him?*
Two days later, she had her answer. Mum entered her room, expression grim.
*Emily, Andrew and I have decided. If you wont compromise, youll live separately.*
*Youre serious?*
*Dead serious. Youre an adult. You work. You can rent.*
Emily studied her mothers face.
*Fine. Ill leave.*
Mum had expected tears, beggingnot calm acceptance.
*Emily maybe think it over?*
*Whats to think about? You made your choice. Now Im making mine.*
It took less than a week to find a placea cheap but clean room near campus. The landlady, a retired teacher, was kind, never prying.
As Emily packed, Mum lingered in the doorway.
*Maybe this is a mistake*
*Dont, Mum. Its done.*
*You know I didnt want to kick you out. But Andrew*
*Andrew matters more. I get it.*
Mum started crying.
*Dont say that. Youre my daughter.*
*I was,* Emily said softly, tucking books into a box.
The first weeks were hardnot the chores, but the realisation that Mum had chosen a stranger over her.
But slowly, life settled. More tutoring gigs came. Money stretched to rent, food, even small luxuries.
She ate when she wanted. Played music. Invited friends over. No one shouted, no one criticised.
Mum called rarely, mostly on holidays.
*How are you, love? Everything alright?*
*Fine.*
*Maybe visit sometime?*
*Well see.*
But she never did.
Six months passed. Emily had adjusteduntil Mum called late one night, voice strained.
*Emily, can I come over? Need to talk.*
*Of course.*
Mum arrived an hour later, tired, hollow-eyed. She sat in silence for a long moment.
*What happened?*
*Andrew left.*
*Left?*
*For another woman. Someone from work. Ten years younger.*
Emily made tea, set a mug in front of her.
*When?*
*Two weeks ago. Thought hed come back. Yesterday, he came for his things. Said hes filing for divorce.*
Mum criedquiet, exhausted sobs.
*I was a fool, wasnt I?*
Emily didnt answer. What was there to say?
They drank in silence. Then Mum asked:
*Can I stay tonight? I cant face the house. Its full of him.*
*Of course. Sofas yours.*
Later, Emily heard her crying. She wanted to comfort herbut something held her back. Too much hurt.
Over breakfast, Mum said:
*Emily, I know I was wrong. I chose him over you. Im sorry.*
*Mum*
*No, let me say it. I thought I needed
