Enough with the selfrighteous act, Emma, Olivia said, setting a pack of nappies and a tin of baby porridge on the kitchen table. Ive seen your posts, all glossy and perfect. Youve got no idea whats really going on.
Emma didnt look up. She was hunched over her phone, a stonecold expression on her face. From the next room came the shrill wail of her twoyearold son, Tommy, demanding attention. Emma stayed motionless.
Tommy, Im coming! their mother shouted from the master bedroom and disappeared, rocking the little boy.
Olivia shrugged off her coat, tossed it over the back of a chair and turned to her sister. She was too angry to back down.
Tell me straight, do you really think youve got this motherhood thing under control, or are you just parroting the latest parenting blogs?
Emma sighed, paused for a breath, but never met Olivias eyes.
I never asked you to buy anything, she said.
Right. Never asked. As usual you sit there hungry, covered in dirty diapers while Mum pours you soup and Dad buys the nappies. Then you turn around and play the strong, independent woman.
Silence fell. Even Tommys cries faded behind the closed door, leaving only the soft lullaby of their mothers voice. Olivia closed her eyes for a moment.
Theyd all been worn thin over the past eighteen months.
Emma had walked out on David when Tommy was barely six months old. Shed left in a blaze of anger, rattling off accusations that he couldnt even wash a plate or change a nappy. David, her exhusband, could only shrug. He juggled two jobs, got home late, and was so exhausted he sometimes fell asleep in his chair. Still, he tried: he washed bottles, lugged grocery bags, even sang lullabiesthough his voice was far from soothing.
Hes betrayed us, Emma had declared. He chose his work over us.
Olivia simply shrugged. Everyone is free to make their own choices.
Except when that free choice meant leeching off someone elses back while refusing to pay child support. Emma now lived like she were on a holiday resortDad paid the bills, Mum cooked, and she proudly posted about resilience and female independence.
Their mother, Margaret, entered the kitchen, dark circles under her eyes like twin crescents.
Tommys finally asleep, thank God. Olivia, why are you picking on Emma again?
I? Picking on her? Olivia was ready to laugh. All you ever do is ignore the babys bottom, and she doesnt even flinch. Shes happy with everything.
Im not asking for anything, Emma snapped. No one owes anyone anything!
And you, you do nothing but mooch off everyones comforts, Margaret retorted.
Olivia remembered how, two months earlier, their father, Thomas, had once again postponed getting a dental crown.
Itll be fine, he had said with a grin. We need to clothe Tommy; hes already outgrowing his old ones.
Thomas never complained. The family later discovered hed stopped taking his essential medication because there was no money to buy it. Olivia quietly transferred money to his account, hoping it would cover his prescriptions.
Emma bolted from her seat and slipped past Olivia, fleeing the conversation as she always did.
Olivia dont be like that Emma
What about Emma? Olivia shot back. Shes comfortable. Her pride will be the death of you. Money problems arent solved with pretty lips. Youve had a stroke, Dads heart is failing, and she pretends shes the heroine of a West End dramaalone, proud, misunderstood.
Margaret looked at her daughter with painful eyes. Everyone understood, but no one could help.
Olivia headed for the door, stopped, and turned back. She wanted to say something kind, something that would keep her mother from crying after she left.
Take care of the firstaid kit and speak to Dad. Ill bring the tablets tomorrow if they run out.
Ol thank you, Margaret muttered, grateful but weary.
Olivia walked out without looking back, knowing her mother would shed tears.
A week passed. Olivia came less often, not out of spite but because she couldnt bear watching the family unravel. She turned up only to drop money, medicine, or a few necessities for Tommy, then left quickly. Emma accepted everything with a detached air, as if it were her duty.
One morning, while scrolling through contacts, Olivia stumbled on a name shed almost forgotten: Kevin. Hed once worked with David. Hope fluttered in her chest; perhaps this was a chance, maybe even a sign.
Three days later Olivia met David in a small café. She fidgeted with a napkin. David arrived seven minutes late, apologised, and sat opposite her. Hed lost a little weight, which made him look older rather than leaner.
Listen, he began after shed told her story, Im not abandoning my son. Ive tried to get everything back. Even when I send money, she sends it back and throws a tantrum.
They wont last long like this, Olivia sighed. Dad halves his pills. Mum refused the rehab. And Emma she clings to some foolish principles. No ones to blame for her quirks.
David nodded, determined to help.
Heres what well do. Ill transfer money to you, and youll distribute it. Send me receipts or photosno need for formalities. I just want Tommy to have a normal life, and I dont want your parents suffering because of all this.
Olivia wasnt sure she was doing the right thing; it felt a bit like betrayal. Yet her sister wasnt a saint either.
Two days later the first transfer arrived£100. Olivia immediately gave it to Margaret, who was surprised more by the amount than the act, since Olivia had helped before.
A smaller sum followed for Dads medication, then another for Tommys shoes.
Emma pretended not to notice, or at least acted as if she didnt.
One evening Olivia stopped by for half an hour. Emma was in the bathroom, Tommy watched cartoons, and Margaret was kneading dumplings while Thomas rolled out the dough.
Olivia, we bought Tommy a new coat with your money! Margaret beamed. Youre such a lifesaver. Were getting a bit uncomfortable taking help maybe well manage on our own soon?
Olivia felt a sting. Shed taken unearned praise before, and it always gnawed at her conscience. Now the whole chain of assistance threatened to snap.
Mom I need to tell you and Dad something. Its not methats David. Hes the one helping, Olivia whispered.
Silence fell. Thomas stopped folding dough, Margaret held her spoon midair.
David? she asked, puzzled. Emma told us hed disappeared.
Yes, Olivia replied. He said hes cutting off Emmas phone because she ignores him. Truth is always somewhere in the middle. What matters is that help is coming.
Her parents accepted the news calmly and kept taking the money without a second thought.
But a new problem surfaced.
Thanks to David, things are a bit easier, Margaret murmured to Thomas as they discussed the next months budget.
Mom didnt realize Olivia was still up late, listening through the thin walls.
Soon the inevitable happened.
So youve been taking money from my ex behind my back?! Emma burst into the kitchen. Youre all traitors! Youve conspired against me!
She launched into a fullblown interrogation. Margaret cracked under the pressure, and Emma started calling Olivia in the dead of night.
You think youre clever, handling everything in secret? Youve humiliated me! My child doesnt need your handouts! Emma shrieked.
What are you talking about, Emma? Olivia yawned, halfasleep. Im just doing what you cantbecause you lack both stamina and conscience. Stop blaming the sick for the healthys woes.
Enough! Emma roared. I dont need anyones help! Ill manage on my own!
The argument ended there. Emma packed a bag, shoved Tommy into his pram, slammed the door, and fled into the night without saying where she was headed.
A phrase her friend Lily had whispered six months ago echoed in Emmas mind: If you need anything, just call. Back then it sounded like a sweet promise; now it was the only thread she could cling to.
Lily didnt turn Emma away. She welcomed her with a smile, kissed Tommy, set up a spare room, and even warmed a dinner for them. The first night was quiet; Lily seemed relieved to have company.
But by morning the cracks appeared. Emma didnt clear her dishes, complained about the food being too salty or too greasy, and even pilfered a sealed jar of coffee from the pantry without askingit turned out to be a reserve for guests.
Later that evening Emma asked Lily for a loan.
My last £30 went on nappies. Could you spare a bit? Please until I get a job.
Lily forced a smile and said shed think about it. The next day, as Tommy finally drifted off, Lily knocked on Emmas door.
Listen I have a situation. My old friend Andrew is coming from Leicester. You know, the one we planned to meet years ago. Hes staying for a while maybe you could find somewhere else?
You want me to leave? Emma asked, panic flashing in her eyes.
Not exactly. Just maybe you have another place to go?
Emma nodded, though her heart felt like it was being squeezed.
That morning Emma packed in silence, fighting back tears. Lily moved about the kitchen, keeping her distance. Emma dressed Tommy, slipped on his shoes, and lingered in the hallway, unable to say goodbye.
Standing by the flats entrance, she felt empty, ashamed, terrified. She thought of every possible route, each a knife to her chest. Returning to her parents was out of the question; let them keep their pills and retreats. With Lily, everything was already clear.
Then she remembered David. He had been desperate to rebuild things, even though shed ignored his messages. He was the only one left who could help, so she dialled his number.
Hello?
Its Emma Tommy and I could we stay with you for a few days?
Davids voice hesitated, then softened. Of course.
The call ended and a tentative new life beganawkward, lacking trust, but at least it existed.
Olivia was the first to hear about the reunion. Her parents tried calling Emma, but she didnt answer. On the third day they gave up; on the fourth Olivia finally got through.
Hello?
Yes, Emma replied, voice flat as a deflated balloon. Were at Davids. Ill call back later.
What about Tommy?
Hes fine.
Olivia raised an eyebrow, a faint smile forming. Better this than being chained to her parents roof. She could only hope that the wounded pride that had driven Emma to David wouldnt snap again.
In the end, the tangled web of pride, dependence, and misguided independence taught them all a simple truth: real strength isnt shown by how loudly you claim it, but by the humility to accept help when you need it most.
