**Diary Entry**
Ive had enough. From now on, Im only cooking for myself and Annie.
Why on earth not? Mark snapped, incredulous.
Because in this family, Ive realised everyone fends for themselves. So go aheadlive like that!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? Emma barged into the bedroom without knocking. Im going to be late for school!
Nina tried to sit up, but her head spun. The thermometer read 38.7. Her throat burned, her chest rattled.
Emma, Im ill Grab something from the fridge.
Theres nothing in there! Just yoghurts for the baby! Arms crossed, she glared. Its always about her!
A wail came from the nursery. Annie was awake. Nina forced herself up, legs trembling, vision swimming.
Nina, wheres my blue striped shirt? Mark called from the bathroom.
Should be in the wardrobe
Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?
Nina leaned against the wall. Shed spent all day feverish, trying to care for the youngest.
No, I didnt get round to it.
Brilliant! Ive got a meeting! He slammed the bathroom door.
Annies cries grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery, scooping her up. The little one clung to her, hiccuping.
Mum! Emma shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!
Moneys on the table. Buy something on your way.
Im not stopping at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, feeding us is your job!
Silently, Nina carried Annie to the kitchen, pulled frozen burgers from the freezer, and slapped a pan on the hob.
And make pasta! Emma ordered, eyes glued to her phone.
While breakfast cooked, Mark emerged in a crumpled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like a proper mess. Cheers for that.
Nina said nothing. Speaking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.
Its Sophies birthday today, Emma announced, piling pasta onto her plate. Im going round after school. Back late.
Emma, I feel terrible. Could you stay home? Help with your sister?
Yeah, right! Ive been waiting months for this party! And I never asked for a sisterthats your problem!
She grabbed her bag and slammed the door.
Mark scrolled through news on his phone as he ate.
Mark, could you come home early? Im really poorly.
Cant. Work drinks after. Responsibilities, you know.
But Im ill
Take some paracetamol or something. Youre not bedridden. Tough it out.
He pecked her sweaty forehead and left.
Nina was alone with their three-year-old. Annie demanded attention, food, play. Nina moved on autopilot, feeling her strength drain.
By lunch, her fever hit 39. She barely fed Annie before collapsing onto the sofa, head pounding, heart racing.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Emma: Mum, send money for Sophies present. NOW!
Nina didnt reply. She couldnt even lift the phone.
Mark returned first, tipsy, carrying a bag of crisps and beer.
Got snacks! Big match tonight! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Mark, feed Annie, please. I cant get up.
That bad? He finally looked at her. Youre all red.
High fever. All day
Well, call the GP if its serious. Wheres Annie?
In bed. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill feed her. When shes up.
Annie woke half an hour later, crying for Nina. Mark reluctantly paused the telly.
Whats the fuss? Come to Dad!
But the toddler only wanted Nina, wailing louder. Mark floundered.
Nina, she wants you!
Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And juice.
Where? I cant find anything!
She forced herself up, swaying, gripping the wall. Nina fetched the biscuit, poured juice. Annie calmed slightly.
Emma returned past midnight. Nina, still feverish, hadnt slept.
Why didnt you reply? Emma snapped. I had to borrow money from Sophies mum! So embarrassing!
Emma, Ive had a fever all day
So? Couldnt pick up your phone for two seconds?
The next morning, Mark shook her awake.
Nina, get up! Ive got work, and Annies screaming!
Her fever had broken, but weakness lingered. She dressed Annie.
What about breakfast? Mark asked.
Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Make it myself? I cant! And Im late!
Youll learn.
Something in her tone silenced him. He muttered and stomped off.
When Nina returned, the house was a mess. Dirty dishes, scattered clothes, unmade beds. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today.
She showered, drank tea, and went back to bed.
That evening, the family gatherednot for dinner, but around an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Emma asked.
Dunno. Whatever you make.
What? Emma gaped.
Exactly that. Im done cooking for everyone. Just me and Annie now.
Whats got into you? Mark scowled.
Ive realised in this family, its every man for himself. So live with it!
Nina, come on He reached for her, but she stepped back.
Im tired of being your maid! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff to you.
Mum, I said sorry! Emma lied.
No, you didnt. Neither did Dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Emma huffed. So we just starve?
Fridges full. Youve got hands. Cook.
The first week was chaos. Emma threw tantrums, Mark grumbled and slammed doors. Nina held firmcooking, cleaning, and washing only for herself and Annie.
Mum, my jeans are dirty! Everythings filthy! Emma whined.
Washing machines there. Detergents under the sink.
I dont know how!
Youll learn. Instructions are on the lid.
Mark wore wrinkled shirts to work, ate takeaways. Money vanished fast.
Nina, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!
Cook at home. Cheaper.
I dont know how!
YouTubes got a million recipes.
The house descended into squalordirty dishes, dusty floors. Nina saw it but didnt intervene, keeping only the nursery tidy.
Two weeks in, Emma attempted pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itinedible gloop.
Mum, help!
No. Learn.
Youre my mum! Youre supposed to!
My jobs to care for minors. Cooking you gourmet meals isnt in the contract. Bread, milk, cerealyou wont starve.
Mark tried scrambled eggs. Burnt them. Tried againedible, barely.
Look, Nina! I made eggs!
She nodded, returning to her book. No praise, no applause.
By week three, the flat was a tip. Emma sobbed over a laundry mountain.
Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!
You were home all yesterday. Couldve washed them.
I was doing homework!
I work remotely, cook, clean up after Annie, take her out. And I manage.
But youre an adult!
And you want adult freedoms? Staying out late, pocket money? Then act like one.
By months end, resistance crumbled. Emma learned to wash, cook basics, tidy. Mark mastered eggs, pasta, even simple soup.
One evening, Nina returned from the park with Annie. The table was set, dinner smelled good. Mark and Emma stood guiltily.
Mum, we made dinner, Emma said quietly. I did salad, Dad roasted chicken.
Thanks, Nina replied calmly.
Mum, were sorry, Emma mumbled. We didnt get it how hard it is.
Nina, well do better, Mark added. Honestly. Well help.
Nina studied them. They hadnt changed overnight. But fear of losing hertheir unpaid maidhad sunk in.
Now they knew: push too far, and Mum might not forgive. Might leave them with dirty dishes and crumpled shirts.
Alright, she said. But rememberI
