Pick up my daughter from school, Claire demands. Its not a big deal, is it?
It isnt, I say, but
Later, later! she replies, glancing at her watch. Im running late for my nail appointment. Could you get her from the afterschool club at three?
Hold on, Claire, I say firmly. Ill collect Poppy today, but Ive already told you a hundred times that I work from home. That doesnt mean Im idle
Later, later! Claire brushes off. Thanks, love!
And she hangs up.
With nothing else to do, I head to the primary school to fetch my niece. Poppy walks into the flat without even taking off her trainers and flops onto the sofa beside my laptop.
Aunt Liz, turn on the cartoons on the big screen, she insists, or Mums tablet is dead.
I glance at the clock. In fifteen minutes I have a client presentation Ive been preparing for the past two weeks. My lunch, a takeaway curry, is cooling in the microwave.
No cartoons right now, I tell her. How about a book instead?
I dont want to read, Poppy puffs, school makes me, Mum makes me, and now this
Find something else to do, I shrug.
She pouts and buries her face in her phone.
***
Six months earlier Claire and her daughter moved into the flat one floor above mine. I imagined evenings of tea, chatting and dinner together. I even baked a batch of rolls for their moving day. Claire grabbed one, sniffed it and said, Oh, Poppy cant have raisins, shes allergic.
There was no allergy; a week later I see her scarfing down identical rolls from the bakery opposite.
That was just the start. At first Claire would pop in for a minute to borrow salt, eggs, or ask me to watch Poppy for five minutes while she ran to the shops. Five minutes stretched to three hours, the shop turned out to be a salon, and Poppy managed to turn the whole flat upside down.
Aunt Liz, Im starving! Poppy tugs my sleeve. Mum said youd make me cheesy macaroni, just the way I like it.
I take a deep breath, count to ten in my head.
Poppy, sit here and dont touch anything, I say, guiding her to the kitchen table, handing her paper and crayons. Draw while I finish my meeting, then Ill cook you something, okay?
But I want it now! she whines.
I fire up the laptop and begin the presentation, trying to sound confident even as Poppy starts humming the Frozen song behind me.
Excuse me, whats that noise? the senior manager asks, puzzled.
It uh the neighbours, I lie, gesturing for Poppy to be quiet.
She decides Im playing a game and sings louder, drumming her pencils on the table. I apologize, mute my mic, turn to her:
Poppy, please, lower your voice. This is a very important meeting.
My mum says your work is just a joke! she blurts, with an innocent grin. You just sit online pretending to be busy!
I catch a glimpse of the manager speaking, but the mic is off, so I hear nothing.
***
In short, the deal falls through. Two months of work wasted. The bonus I was counting on for a new PC evaporates. I sit at the kitchen table, staring at my laptop screen, while Poppy keeps demanding her cheesy macaroni.
In the evening Tom arrives, tired but smiling; his work is going smoothly.
Oh, Poppys here? he raises an eyebrow. What, Claire asked again?
Your sister didnt ask, she just declared it, I snap. And because of her daughter I just lost a key client!
Dont get so worked up. One client, youll find another. Family needs help.
Family, right? Whos going to help me?
Listen youre still at home anyway. Does it matter if youre alone or with a child?
A huge difference, Tom, I reply. Yes, I work from home, but that doesnt mean I dont work at all!
Alright, calm down, he says, pulling me into a hug. Claire will pick up Poppy soon enough.
***
Claire finally shows up at eleven at night, dragging a new boyfriend, both clearly in high spirits.
Liz, youre a star! she leans over my shoulder. Did Poppy eat? Did she finish her homework?
Yes, everythings fine. But Claire, this is the last time, I say firmly.
Oh, shut up! she scoffs.
No, not shut up, listen to me I start, irritated.
Tom appears in the hallway.
Liz, dont start, he says gently. Claire, take Poppy home, its late.
I will, but think about it, Tom. You dont have kids. Your wife isnt in a steady job, and you keep throwing ultimatums at me
Tom and I have been trying for a baby for two years. Ive undergone three rounds of hormone therapy and two surgeries. Doctors tell me I need time, less stress, more peace.
How can there be peace when my sisterinlaw treats me as a freeofcharge nanny every day?
***
I have the night to think. I decide to go stay with my mother, where its quiet. Tom can sort out his own thoughts, too.
In the morning my husband catches me packing.
What are you doing? he asks.
Im heading to Mums.
For how long? his voice trembles with worry.
I meet his gaze and answer, As long as it lasts.
He walks me to the door, then suddenly sighs, Liz, listen is it because of Claire? It sounds ridiculous.
No, Tom, its not funny, I retort. Tell your sister to find another babysitter, or look after her own child.
And I leave.
For the first two days Tom calls every hour, but I ignore him. On the third day Claire rings.
Liz, stop playing games! Come back! I have nowhere to leave Poppy!
Leave her with Tom. Hes at home in the evenings.
He works! He has an important job!
So mine isnt important?
She hangs up. An hour later Tom calls.
Claire dragged Poppy and left. She said if you refuse, I have to sort it all out!
So sort it out then, I smirk.
But I have a big presentation tomorrow!
I had a big presentation too, and I blew it because of your niece.
Tom mutters something and hangs up.
***
Five days pass. One morning Tom calls, his tone tentative.
Im sorry, he says. I really didnt realise how hard it was for you. Those five days with Poppy I almost lost it. She jumped on the sofa and broke my work laptop. Then she spilled juice on important documents. And because she suddenly wanted to play hideandseek and tag at the same time, I was late for a meeting
He exhales sharply.
Claire said she wont leave her with me any more because I cant handle kids.
I grin, So Im the one who can?
Liz, please forgive me! desperation creeps into his voice. I talked to Claire and told her you wont be looking after Poppy anymore.
What did she say?
She got upset.
And you?
Well, Im used to dealing with upset people, Tom replies. Its her child, her problems.
