Im not cooking for everyone anymore! Just for me and Annie.
And whys that? snapped Nick.
Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So, live with it!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? Jenny 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 38.5. Her throat burned, her chest rattled.
Jenny, Im ill Grab something from the fridge.
Theres nothing in there! Just yoghurts for the baby! Jenny stood in the doorway, arms crossed. Its always about her!
From the nursery came a wail. Annie had woken up. Nina forced herself to stand. Her legs wobbled, black spots dancing in her vision.
Nina, wheres my shirt? Nick called from the bathroom. The blue striped one?
Should be in the wardrobe
Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?
Nina leaned against the wall. Yesterday, shed spent the whole day running a fever, trying to care for the toddler.
No, didnt get to it.
Brilliant! Ive got a meeting! Nick slammed the bathroom door in irritation.
Annies cries grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery and scooped her up. The little girl clung to her, sniffling.
Mum! Jenny shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!
Theres money on the table. Buy something on your way.
I cant stop at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, its your job to feed us!
Nina wordlessly walked to the kitchen, Annie in her arms. She pulled frozen burgers from the freezer and slapped a pan on the hob.
And make pasta! Jenny commanded, eyes glued to her phone.
While breakfast cooked, Nick emerged from the bedroom in a crumpled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like a right mess. Thanks for that.
Nina stayed silent. Speaking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.
Its Sophies birthday today, Jenny announced, piling pasta onto her plate. Im going to hers after school. Be back late.
Jenny, I feel awful. Could you stay and help with your sister?
Yeah, right! Ive waited six months for this party! And anyway, I didnt ask for a sister! Thats your problem!
She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Nick finished his breakfast, scrolling through news on his phone.
Nick, could you come home early today? I really dont feel well.
Cant. Work drinks after. You know how it is.
But Im sick
Just take something. Paracetamol or whatever. Youre not bedridden. Manage.
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 half-heartedly fed Annie, put her down for a nap, and collapsed on the sofa. Her head throbbed, her heart raced.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Jenny: Mum, send money for Sophies present. NOW!
Nina didnt reply. She didnt even have the strength to pick up the phone.
That evening, Nick returned first. Tipsy, cheerful, carrying a bag from the corner shop.
Got some beer and crisps! Match is on! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Nick, could you feed Annie? I cant get up.
That bad? He finally looked at his wife. Blimey, youre proper red.
High fever. All day
Well, call 111 if its that bad. Wheres Annie?
In bed. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill feed her. When she wakes up.
Half an hour later, Annie did. She cried for her mum. Nick reluctantly tore himself from the TV and picked her up.
Whats all this fuss? Come to Dad!
But the toddler squirmed, wailing louder. Nick floundered.
Nina, she wants you!
Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And juice.
Where? I cant find anything!
Nina forced herself up. The room spun; she barely caught herself on the wall. She fetched a biscuit and poured juice into a sippy cup. Annie calmed slightly.
Jenny came home past midnight. Nina was still awakeher fever wouldnt let her sleep.
Why didnt you reply? Jenny demanded from the doorway. I had to borrow money from Sophies mum! So embarrassing!
Jenny, Ive been running a fever all day
And? Couldnt pick up your phone? Two seconds!
The next morning, Nina woke to Nick shaking her shoulder.
Nina, get up! Ive got work, and Annies screaming!
Her fever had broken, but exhaustion lingered. She rose, dressed Annie, and started packing her nursery bag.
What about breakfast? Nick asked.
Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Myself? I dont know how! And Im late!
Youll learn.
Something in her tone silenced him. He grumbled and stomped to the kitchen.
When Nina returned from nursery, the house was a bombsite. 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 gathered for dinneror rather, around an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Jenny asked.
Dunno. Whatever you make.
What? Jennys eyes widened.
Exactly that. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.
Whys that? Nick scowled.
Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So, live with it!
Nina, come on Nick tried to hug her, but she stepped back.
Im tired of being a servant! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff to you lot.
Mum, I said sorry! Jenny lied.
No, you didnt. Neither did Dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Jenny huffed. What now, starve?
Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Cook.
The first week was chaos. Jenny threw tantrums, Nick sulked and slammed doors. Nina held firm. She cooked only for herself and Annie, washed only their clothes, tidied only the nursery.
Mum, my jeans are filthy! Everythings dirty! Jenny wailed.
Washing machines right there. Detergents under the sink.
I dont know how!
Youll learn. Instructions are on the lid.
Nick went to work in wrinkled shirts, ate at cafés. Money vanished fast.
Nina, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!
Cook at home. Cheaper.
I dont know how!
YouTubes your friend. Millions of recipes.
The house descended into squalor. Dirty dishes, unmopped floors, dust. Nina saw it all but didnt intervene. She kept only the nursery clean.
After two weeks, Jenny tried cooking pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itended up with mush.
Mum, help!
Nope. Learn.
Youre the mum! Youre supposed to!
My jobs keeping under-fives alive. Gourmet meals for teens arent in the contract. Bread, milk, cerealyou wont starve.
Nick attempted scrambled eggs. Burnt them. Tried againedible, barely.
Look, Nina! I made eggs!
Nina nodded and returned to her book. No praise, no praise.
By week three, the flat was a tip. Jenny sobbed over a mountain of laundry.
Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!
You were home all yesterday. Couldve washed them.
I had homework!
I work from home, cook, clean after Annie, take her to the park. Still manage.
Youre an adult!
And you want adult privileges? Late nights, pocket money? Then act like one.
By months end, resistance crumbled. Jenny learned to wash, cook basics, tidy. Nick mastered not just eggs but pasta and even a simple soup.
One evening, Nina returned from the park with Annie. The kitchen table was set; dinner smelled ready. Nick and Jenny
