Behind my back, the accusations flew like knives.
Honestly, stop pretending youre some heroine and that you can do everything on your own, Olivia said, setting a packet of nappies and a tin of baby porridge on the kitchen table. Ive seen your posts, all glossy and perfect. If only you knew how it really is.
Isabelle didnt even glance at her sister. She sat hunched over her phone, face as hard as stone. From the adjoining room came the wail of her twoyearold son, Charlie, demanding attention. Isabelle didnt stir.
Charlie, Im coming! shouted their mother from the master bedroom, and she hurried to soothe the little boy.
Olivia slipped off her coat, draped it over the back of a chair and turned back to Isabelle. She was too irritated to back down quietly.
Tell me straight, do you really think youre handling this? That youre a great mother? Or are you just parroting slogans from online groups?
Isabelle sighed, paused a heartbeat, but still didnt meet Olivias eyes.
Listen, I never asked you to buy anything.
Right. Never asked. As usual you sit there hungry, covered in dirty nappies, while Mum pours soup and Dad buys the diapers. Then you go back to playing the strong woman.
Both fell silent. Even Charlies cries faded behind the wall, leaving only the soft, soothing voice of their mother. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment.
Theyd all been exhausted for the past year and a half.
Isabelle had left Daniel when Charlie was barely six months old, doing it with a dramatic flare, hurling accusations that he couldnt even wash a plate or change a nappy. Daniel, her exhusband, could only shrug. He worked two jobs, came home late, often fell asleep in his chair, yet he tried. He washed bottles, lugged bags, even sang lullabies, though offkey.
He betrayed us, Isabelle had declared. He chose his work over us.
Olivia simply shrugged; everyone has the right to decide for themselves.
The problem was that this right ended up perched on someone elses neck, while Daniel proudly refused to pay maintenance. Isabelle now lived as if on a holiday resort. Her father paid the bills, her mother cooked, and she proudly posted about inner strength and female independence.
Their mother entered the room, dark circles under her eyes like twin crescents.
Charlies finally asleep, thank heavens. Olivia, why are you picking on Isabelle again?
I? Picking on her? Olivia was ready to laugh. You only forget to wipe his bottom, and she wont even hear a word. Shes content with everything.
Im not asking for anything, mind you. No one owes anyone anything! Isabelle snapped.
Right, you owe nothing. You just sit here and enjoy all the comforts.
A memory resurfaced of two months earlier when their father had once again postponed fitting a dental crown.
Nothing to worry about, he had said with a grin. We need to clothe Charlie, otherwise hell outgrow his old clothes.
Father never complained. Never. Later the family would discover he was skipping his essential medication simply because there was no money to buy it. Olivia quietly transferred the money for him, hoping it would cover his prescriptions.
Isabelle sprang up, marching past Olivia, fleeing the conversation as she always did.
Olivia dont be like that Isabelle
Whats the point, Isabelle? Shes comfortable. Its just her pride that will ruin you. You know, Mum money problems arent solved by empty words. Youve had a stroke, Dads heart is weak. Yet she pretends to be the heroine of a Hollywood melodrama: lone, proud, misunderstood.
Their mother looked at her daughter with pain in her eyes. Everyone understood, yet could do nothing.
Olivia walked to the door, paused, wanting to say something kind so her mother wouldnt weep after she left.
Goodbye, Mum. Check the firstaid kit and speak to Dad. Ill bring the tablets tomorrow if they run out.
Ol thank you, her mother whispered, gratitude heavy with fatigue.
Olivia left without turning back, certain shed see tears later.
A week passed. Olivias visits became rarer. She didnt take offense; she simply didnt want to witness the turmoil at home. She came to deliver money, medicine, perhaps a small toy for Charlie, then left swiftly. Isabelle accepted everything with a detached air, as if it were the natural order.
One morning, while scrolling through contacts, Olivias eyes landed on a name she barely remembered: Kenneth. He had once worked with Daniel. Hope fluttered inside her; perhaps this was a chance, maybe even a sign.
Three days later Olivia met Daniel in a modest café. She fidgeted with a napkin. Daniel arrived seven minutes late, apologised, and sat opposite her. Hed lost a little weight, which only made him look older.
Listen he began after hearing Olivias long story. Im not abandoning my son. I tried to get everything back. But even when I send money, she sends it back and then makes a scene.
They wont last long like this, Olivia sighed. Dad halves his tablets. Mum refused the convalescent home. And Isabelle she clings to stubborn principles. No ones to blame for her quirks.
Daniel nodded, his demeanor suggesting he wanted to fix things.
Heres an idea. Ill transfer money to you, and youll distribute it. Send receipts or photos if not, well trust each other. I just want Charlie to have a normal life and for your parents not to suffer because of all this.
Olivia hesitated, feeling the act bordered on betrayal, yet her sister was far from saintly.
Two days later the first transfer arrived: about eighty pounds. Olivia promptly gave the cash to her mother, who was surprised only by the amount, not the fact that her daughter had helped before.
Another transfer followed, smaller, for Dads medication, then a third for Charlies shoes.
Isabelle pretended not to notice, or at least acted as if she didnt.
One evening Olivia dropped by for half an hour. Isabelle was in the bathroom, Charlie watched cartoons, and their mother was rolling out dumplings in the kitchen, with their father kneading dough beside her.
Olivia, we bought Charlie a new coat with your money! their mother beamed. Youre such a darling, always helping. Its getting awkward for us to keep accepting maybe well manage on our own soon?
Olivias cheeks flushed. Shed heard undue praise before, each time tightening her conscience. Now the whole chain of assistance seemed about to snap.
Mum I need to tell you and Dad something. It wasnt just me. It was Daniel. Hes been helping, Olivia murmured.
Silence fell. Their father stopped rolling the dough, their mother froze with a wooden spoon in hand.
Daniel? she asked. Isabelle told us hed vanished.
Yes. He said hed cut off her phone because she ignored him everywhere, Olivia added, realizing Isabelle hadnt said all. Never mind. Truth always lies somewhere in the middle. The important thing is the help.
The parents took the news calmly, almost relieved, and continued to accept the money without a hint of guilt.
Then a new problem emerged.
Thanks to Daniel, its a little easier now, the mother whispered to her husband one night while discussing the next months budget.
She didnt know Olivia was still awake, her ears sharp as ever.
What followed was a cascade.
So youve been taking money from my expartner behind my back?! Isabelle burst into the kitchen. Youre all traitors! Youve conspired together!
A fullblown interrogation followed. Their mother cracked under the pressure, and later Isabelle began calling Olivia in the dead of night.
You thought you were clever, handling everything in secret? Youve disgraced me! My child doesnt need your handouts! Isabelle shouted.
What are you talking about, Isabelle? Olivia replied drowsily, yawning. Im just doing what you lack in strength and conscience. Stop blaming the sick for the healthys misfortunes.
Off with you! I dont need anyones help! Ill survive on my own! Isabelle roared, then slammed the door, shoved Charlie into his stroller and vanished into the night without a word of where she was headed.
A phrase from a friend, Lorna, echoed in Isabelles mindspoken half a year ago: If you need anything, just call. At the time it sounded like a pretty line; now it was the only thread she could cling to.
Lorna didnt refuse. She welcomed Isabelle, kissed Charlie, set up a spare room, even heated a modest dinner for them. She gently probed what had happened.
Everythings fine, just its stifling here, Isabelle muttered. I want some space. Stay with you for a while, then Ill manage on my own.
The first night passed quietly. Lorna even enjoyed the company; it broke the monotony. But by morning, small complaints began. Isabelle left dishes unwashed, then sniffed at the food, saying it was too salty, then too greasy.
The next day she rummaged through a cupboard and pulled out a sealed jar of coffee without asking. It turned out to be a stash for gifts. That evening Isabelle begged for cash.
My last penny went on nappies. Could you lend a little? Please until I find work.
Lorna forced a tight smile, promising to look into it. Later that evening, after Charlie had fallen asleep, Lorna approached Isabelle.
Theres a situation. Arthur is coming from Canterbury. You remember him, dont you? Wed arranged something long ago
Do you want me to leave? Isabelle asked, bewildered.
Its not that it just happened. Do you have anyone else you could stay with?
Right, Isabelle nodded, though a knot tightened inside. Ill manage.
In the silent morning Isabelle packed her things, fighting back tears. Lorna moved about the kitchen, never crossing paths with her. Isabelle dressed Charlie, slipped into his cot. She lingered a moment in the hallway, unsure what to say, then slipped out without a goodbye.
Standing at the foot of the stairs, she felt a sensation she hadnt felt in yearsemptiness, shame, fear. Options swirled like knives. Returning to her parents was out of the question. Let them rot with their pills and retreats. With Lorna, everything was already clear.
Then a sudden memory of Daniel surfaced. Hed been desperate to rekindle, even after shed ignored him. Of all who could help, he was the only one left, so she dialed his number.
Hello?
Its me Isabelle. Charlie and I could we stay with you for a few days?
A pause, then a cautious but warm reply.
Of course, Daniel said, his voice careful yet kind.
And so an uneasy, truststarved new life began.
Olivia was the first to hear of their reunion. Her parents tried calling Isabelle, but she didnt answer. After three days of silence they gave up; on the fourth, Olivia finally got through.
Hello?
Yes, Isabelles voice sounded thin, as if blown out. Where are you? Whats happening?
Were at Daniels. Charlies fine.
Daniels? Is Charlie okay?
Yes. Were all fine.
Olivia raised an eyebrow, surprised. She cracked a faint smile; at least it was better than being a burden on her parents necks. All that remained was hope that the wounded pride that had driven Isabelle toward Daniel wouldnt cause another split.
