Lizzy, I cant do this anymore Alice slumped onto the kitchen chair, clutching her head, the steam from her tea curling bizarre shapes against the ceiling. Youve no idea what its like doing everything alone. My backs cracking, I swear.
Lizzy set her mug aside, watching her sister through a shifting haze. Alice looked half-spun, her cheeks hollowed out, eyes shadowed by sleepless nights, blond hair pulled carelessly into a crooked ponytail.
Alice, whats happened this time?
Its been TWO years, Liz. Two years since Tom left! And its all me school, homework, brownies and ballet, dinner, laundry, endless cleaning. Im running in circles. And Susie has started throwing her attitude at me. Sarcastic answers. Arguments. It never ends.
Lizzy frowned. Her ten-year-old niece always seemed calm, thoughtful, never the sort to make scenes or mouth off.
Susie? Snapping at you? Odd. Shes always so
Thats because you see her for two hours a month! Alice gestured wildly, her hands pink and shaking. Try explaining every single day why cups shouldnt stew in the sink, why homework isnt meant for midnight, why scrolling on her mobile until two a.m. is not normal.
It sounds like everyday trouble to me
Everyday? Alice let out a sour little laugh, her voice echoing around the room and bouncing off the bread bin. Ive got no strength left for everyday. I slog at work, race home, cook and clean, and Susie sits staring at the wall. Im fed up with all of it!
Lizzy bit back words about other mothers, some with no husbands, some struggling with three kids, but instead, she nodded, convincing herself she was sympathetic.
Alice glanced up, a peculiar spark in her eyes. Youre free this weekend, arent you?
I think so
Would you take Susie? Saturday and Sunday, just a break. I need to breathe, to see a friend out in Somerset. Just to get a bit of fresh air.
Absolutely! Lizzy smiled, strange relief flaring in her chest. Id love it. Well do a film and a walk. Ive always wanted to have her over.
Alice smiled, rummaging for her phone to call Susie.
The weekend melted away in a kite-stringed haze. Susie was delightful. Together they made pizza Susie kneaded the dough and scattered toppings with wild, artistic abandon. They collapsed on old sofa cushions, giggling over cartoons. Walks in Hyde Park felt endless; feeding ducks as the clouds swirled in improbable shapes. Not once did Lizzy notice any rudeness or moaning. Just a normal kid, happy and open.
On Sunday evening, Lizzy dialled Alices number, jolted by the surreal sound of echoing rings.
Hello?
Alice, when are you fetching Susie? Were waiting for you.
A long, winding pause unravelled on the line.
Lizzy, theres… um… Im not in London.
What? You said Somerset thats two hours on the train.
Im not in Somerset. Im in Spain.
Lizzy wondered if she was dreaming.
Where?!
Spain. Flew out yesterday morning. Ive got a mate here, going to stay for a month. I need real rest, you know?
Alice, youre joking? Lizzy gripped the table as if it was floating away. You left the country and dumped Susie with me? No warning?
How was I meant to tell you? You wouldnt have agreed!
Of course not! This is madness! I work, Ive got plans, I can’t just drop everything for a month!
Oh, dont be dramatic, Lizzy. Susies a quiet kid, you always said so. A month will slip by.
Are you serious?! Lizzy couldnt keep the shrillness from her voice. Who leaves their child and flies away? Youre her mother!
Im a mother who hasnt had a single weekend off in two years. I need this.
For a month? In Spain?!
Lizzy Alices voice went cold and crisp. Dont shout at me. What are you going to do? Chuck Susie outside? Call the authorities?
The call clipped off, and silence rolled in.
Lizzy stood in the kitchen, palms curled around the phone, unable to shake off the dizzy feeling. Her own sister had just handed her the child and vanished for sunbathing.
From the lounge, Susie peered out, as if shed stepped in from a different dream-world.
Aunt Lizzy, is Mum coming soon?
Lizzy breathed in, then out. She forced her lips into a smile.
Susie, come here. We need a little chat.
The girl hopped onto a stool, swinging her legs as if underwater. Lizzy sat beside her.
Mums gone on holiday. For quite a while, I think. Youll be staying here with me for now. Is that alright?
Susie shrugged,
Sure.
No tears. No fuss. Just matter-of-fact calm. Lizzy didnt know if that should comfort or unsettle her.
Have you got the keys to your flat in your bag?
Susie nodded, presenting a tangled ring with a kitten keychain.
Right then. Lets get your stuff.
Alices flat was immaculate, oddly silent. Lizzy packed up clothes, textbooks, and Susies favourite toys. The girl folded things methodically, as if shed done it a thousand times in her sleep.
The first week drifted by in ripples and adjustments. Lizzy reworked her schedule, arranged partial work-from-home with her boss. Susie went to school, tackled homework, joined in for dinner at night.
The second week, Lizzy found the world shifting. Susie offered to help dust. She vacuumed, wiped down sills, even clumsily cleaned the windows.
Susie, you dont have to do all this.
I want to help, she said earnestly, looking up at Lizzy through the weird, cloudy light. You feed me, let me stay here. Its only fair.
Susie tried making salad cucumbers cut jagged, tomato slices thick as pound coins, but Lizzy praised her anyway.
Mum never let me cook, Susie spoke, eyes fixed on the chopping board. Said I always mess it up. Easier doing it herself.
Did you want to?
Loads. I wanted to clean, too. But Mum said shed have to redo everything after I tried.
Lizzy remembered Alices complaints She just sits there, She doesnt lift a finger. The poor girl hadnt even been allowed to try and fail.
Dad let me, Susie murmured, voice barely the wind. He said everyones first pancake sticks to the pan. You have to try things.
Do you miss him?
Susie nodded once, quick and quiet.
Mum wont let us see him. Says hes awful. But he isnt. Hes nice. He just couldnt handle Mum.
Lizzy hugged Susie, feeling her tiny frame.
Alice didnt call. Not once in three weeks. No asking after Susie, no cheerful check-ins. Lizzy sent photos and messages herself. Replies came back short and flat. Ok. Fine. Alright.
One night, the idea jumped at Lizzy out of her dreams. The month was nearly up; Alice would come back and whisk Susie off to that stifling flat, back to a mother who saw her daughter as a nuisance, not a child.
Next morning, Lizzy scrolled back for Toms old number Alices ex.
Hello?
Tom? This is Lizzy. Alices sister.
A silence tumbled through the receiver.
Lizzy? Whats happened?
Susies with me. Alices in Spain. She left her here no warning.
Very long pause.
Hows Susie?
Shes alright. She misses you.
Can I come?
Yes. Please do.
An hour later, the doorbell chimed. On the step stood Tom, tall and rumpled, daisy bouquet in hand.
Dad! Susie shot into his arms, clinging to his neck. Tom wrapped her up tight. His shoulders shook.
My girl. Ive missed you so much. Mum wouldnt let
I know, Dad. I know.
Lizzy watched them, tucked back in the hallway. Father and daughter scattered into streams by pride, spite, the restless need to control.
Afterwards, Lizzy knelt down beside Susie.
Susie, can I ask something? Be honest. Would you want to live with your dad?
Susies answer came like a bell.
Yes.
Lizzy locked gazes with Tom.
And you?
Ive wanted that since I left, Tom answered. She means everything to me. I always loved her. Alice I just couldnt cope. But I never abandoned Susie. That was Alice.
Next day, Lizzy rang up social services, explained it like a waking nightmare. Mum had dumped a minor child and gone abroad for a month. Dad ready to take custody.
The process blurred through a few days forms, quick interviews, meetings with a gentle psychologist. Susie gave clear answers: she wanted to live with Dad. Tom produced proof of income, proper home space.
In another week, Susie moved in with Tom.
Lizzy visited often, watching Susie glowing brighter by the week. She helped her dad in the kitchen every uneven cucumber slice praised. They laughed at silly jokes. Tom read her bedtime stories, even though Susie was growing up.
Lizzy got on well with Tom, finding him quiet and gentle, not frazzled, never sharp-tongued like Alice. Shared tea and talk about schoolwork, made plans for day trips.
…Alice came back, tanned, recharged, mouth curling with holiday moods. The mood souring quick as vinegar.
You GAVE AWAY my daughter?! Alice shrieked, storming into Lizzys flat. How DARE you?!
Me? Lizzy calmly sipped her coffee. I didnt give anyone away. You abandoned her.
I did not! It was TEMPORARY!
For a month. You left the country. Never rang to check, not once.
Shes my daughter!
She was. Now the court gets to choose.
Alices face drained pale.
What court?!
Custody hearing. Toms made a formal request. Hes got a solid case. You ditched a minor for a month.
You Alices anger fizzed, tripping over itself. You traitor! My own sister set me up!
Sister who you dumped a child on, so you could drink sangria and sunbathe. Lizzy shrugged. Now youre free of chores, right? No meals to cook, nothing to scrub.
Youll pay for this!
No, Alice. YOU will. In court. Get your paperwork ready, hire a solicitor. Odds arent in your favour. Susie wants to be with her dad. And guess what? Start planning for child support.
Alice stormed out without saying goodbye.
Lizzy leaned back, feeling the fabric of their relationship split and drift. Maybe for good. But she didnt regret anything. She still couldnt fathom abandoning a child for a month.
It would be a lesson for Alice. Actions had consequences. You couldnt just use people and expect no one to notice.
And Susie Susie was happy now. That was all that mattered.
