Well, Emma, this is the last time youll help me, right? Were family, after all! her sister begs over the phone.
Sophie’s voice sounds pleading, the same tone she uses whenever she needs cash.
Emma, Ive already helped you twice this month, Natalie says wearily. And you still havent paid back the £150 you borrowed last time.
But Im looking after Lily for you! Sophie snaps back. I pick her up from nursery now and then. Doesnt that count for anything?
Natalie walks to the window. A fine drizzle turns the pavement into a grey mirror.
In the past two months youve watched Lily twice, Natalie notes calmly. And thats it. Ive spent so much on you that hiring a nanny wouldve been cheaper.
Natalie, dont be stingy! Sophie’s voice turns even more plaintive. Help me out, will you? I promise Ill repay next week. Something urgent has come up
Natalie closes her eyes. The same song plays as it did a month ago and again two months ago. Sophie always knows how to hit the right nerve.
Please, just help. Be a decent sister, were family!
Natalie opens her banking app and transfers the requested amount. The £150 disappears from her account, just as it has many times before.
Money sent, she reports flatly. But this is really the last time, Sophie. Its time you start pulling yourself together.
Thanks, love! Im so grateful! Sophie exclaims, then hangs up.
Natalie puts the phone down and pours herself a mug of fresh tea. Steam curls from the cup, blurring the kitchens edges. She sinks onto a chair, cupping the warm mug with both hands.
After they both left Nottingham for London to study and later work, the sisters relationship sours. Sophie drifts from job to job every six months, carefree and unreliable. Natalie yearns for stability and a family.
She once had a marriage, but it collapsed after three years when her husband ran off with a younger colleague, leaving her with a mortgage and a toddler. Now Lily is five, attending nursery, while Natalie receives modest child support and works at an advertising agency.
Occasionally she asks Sophie to watch Lily, but lately Sophie only asks for money. Every call ends with another sob story about how hard life is for her.
Two weeks pass. Sophie vanishes from Natalies life no calls, no texts as if swallowed by Londons bustle. Of course, the money never returns.
Natalie doesnt call first. A lowgrade resentment sits under her ribs, flaring each time she thinks of her sister. On Wednesday she gets stuck at work: a presentation drags on and a demanding client nitpicks every detail.
She darts around the office, glancing at the clock. She needs to collect Lily from nursery soon, but she cant slip out.
Hello, Sophie? she pants into the handset. Can you pick Lily up? Im stuck here.
Loud music, laughter, and chatter spill from the background. Sophie is clearly at a club or bar.
I cant, Sophie replies curtly. Im busy. My schedules packed.
Sophie, you promised to help with Lily! Natalie raises her voice. Ive given you money, and you cant do this?
Im busy, why are you on my case?! Sophies tone sharpens. Ive got plans tonight!
A click. Sophie hangs up.
Natalie stands alone in the empty office, unsure what to do. Asking for time off isnt an option; she just used a sick day when Lily fell ill. She cant let her boss see another excuse.
She frantically scrolls through contacts. Her mother lives far away in Nottingham. Friends are either at work or looking after their own kids. Her eyes land on the name Christina the exsisterinlaw, sister of her exhusband.
Her finger hovers over the contact. They havent spoken since the divorce a year ago, but she has no choice.
Christina, hi, Natalie says when the line picks up. Sorry to bother you, but Ive got a situation
She explains quickly, bracing for a refusal.
Of course Ill take her! Christina replies without hesitation. Same nursery, same time?
Yes, Natalie exhales in relief. Thank you so much.
No problem. Lilys my niece, after all.
About forty minutes later, Natalie receives a photo: Lily smiling in a car beside Christina, giving a thumbsup. On our way home. All good, reads the caption.
Natalie wraps up her presentation in record time and rushes to Christinas flat. The twobedroom home is styled in a light, Scandinavian vibe pale wood, white walls, and potted plants on the windowsill.
Mum! Lily darts into the hallway, hugging Natalies legs. Aunt Christina helped me make a pinecone hedgehog for nursery!
Come in, teas ready, Christina says, clearing away modelling clay and coloured paper.
While Lily tinkers with a building set, the women chat over tea.
How did it come to a point where nobody could pick up the girl? Christina asks gently.
Natalie recounts the whole mess with Sophie, her bitterness plain.
You know what, Christina muses. I work from home, flexible hours. If something similar happens again, just call me. Lily is my niece and I love her.
Natalie looks at Christina, stunned. After the divorce she expected all of her exhusbands family to turn away, yet heres unexpected support from the most unlikely source.
Thank you, I really appreciate it, she says sincerely.
They leave for home as streetlights flicker on. Lily chats nonstop about the hedgehog and the coin tricks Christina showed her.
Since then, Natalie and Christina develop a warm, regular contact. Christina often calls, offering to watch Lily on weekends.
Let me take Lily on Saturday, she suggests. We can go to the puppet theatre and then have icecream. Youve been running all week, you deserve a break.
A few weeks later the phone rings again. The display reads Sophie.
Nat, listen, Sophie cuts straight to the chase. I need cash, urgently. Somethings come up
Natalie sits on the sofa, Lily drawing princesses with coloured pencils beside her.
Im sorry, thats it, Natalie replies calmly. My generosity ends here. I wont give you more money. You can keep the debt, but dont expect any new cash.
What?! Sophie shrieks. Ive been helping with Lily! If you dont give me money Ill stop looking after her!
You let me down when I truly needed you, Natalie says evenly. And you know what? I havent asked you to watch Lily for over a month, and Ive managed fine. I dont need your help, and I wont keep paying.
Youve gone mad! Sophie yells.
Thats it, goodbye, Natalie hangs up and blocks the number.
Lily looks up from her drawing.
Mum, why was Aunt Sophie shouting? she asks.
Adults sometimes argue, love, Natalie explains softly. Its nothing to worry about.
A buzz follows a message from Christina.
Hey, lets meet at the new kids café this weekend. A friend recommended it. Lily can play while we sort out her birthday plans. Shes my only niece, I want her to have a proper gift.
Natalie smiles and types back:
Great idea! What time?
She watches Lily engrossed in another princess, thinking how odd life can be. The closest bonds sometimes appear where you least expect them, while those you rely on most can let you down at the worst moment. The main thing now is that she will no longer tolerate being treated like a cashcow. She has a daughter, a job, and genuine support from someone who asks for nothing in return. Thats enough for her happiness.
