Pick up my daughter from school, will you? Megan asked, tugging at my sleeve. Its a piece of cake, isnt it?
Sure, no problem, I replied, but.
Oh, later! she snapped, glancing at her watch. Im already late for my manicure. Just grab her at three from afterschool club, alright?
Hold on, Megan, I said firmly. Ill collect Poppy today, I promise. But Ive told you a hundred times I work from home. That doesnt mean Im just twiddling my thumbs
Later, later, Megan waved me off. Thanks, love! And with that she hung up.
Having nothing else to do, I trudged to the school and fetched my niece. Poppy marched into my flat, kicked off her trainers and plonked herself on the couch beside my work laptop.
Aunt Liz, can you turn on the cartoons on the big screen? she demanded. Mums tablet died.
I glanced at the clock. In fifteen minutes I was due to present a client pitch Id been polishing for two weeks. My lunch, a soggy takeaway, was cooling in the microwave.
No cartoons just yet, I said. How about you read a book instead?
I dont want to read, Poppy pouted. School makes me read, Mum makes me read, and now you too
Then find something else to do, I shrugged.
She pouted and buried herself in her phone.
***
Six months earlier Megan and her little girl had moved into the flat above mine. Id imagined evenings of tea, chat and shared dinners. I even baked a batch of scones for their moving day. Megan took one, sniffed it and said, Oh dear, Poppy cant have raisinsshes allergic.
There was no allergy; a week later I saw her scarf down identical scones from the bakery across the road.
That was only the beginning. At first Megan would pop over for a minute to borrow salt, eggs, or ask me to watch Poppy for five minutes while she ran to the shop. Five minutes turned into three hours, the shop became a beauty salon, and Poppy managed to turn the whole flat upside down.
Aunt Liz, Im starving! Poppy tugged my sleeve. Mum said youd make me cheesy macaroni, just the way I like it.
I took a deep breath, exhaled and counted silently to ten.
Poppy, sit right here and dont touch anything, I said, seating her at the kitchen table with a pad of paper and some crayons. Draw while I finish my meeting, then Ill sort you something to eat, okay?
But I want it now! she whined.
I switched on the laptop and launched into my pitch, trying to sound confident while Poppy started belting out the Let It Go tune from *Frozen*.
Excuse me, whats that noise? the senior manager asked, puzzled.
It uh the neighbours, I stammered, gesturing desperately for Poppy to hush.
Instead, she sang even louder, thumping pencils on the table. I apologized, muted my mic and turned to her.
Poppy, please, quieter this is an important meeting!
Mum says your job is just a joke! she chirped innocently. You just sit on the internet pretending to be busy!
The manager muttered something, but with my mic off I heard nothing.
***
In short, the deal collapsed. Two months of hard work went down the drain. The bonus Id been counting on for a new laptop slipped through my fingers. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at my laptop screen, while Poppy kept demanding her cheesy macaroni.
That evening Mike came home, exhausted but smiling his day at work had gone off without a hitch.
Oh, Poppys with us? he raised an eyebrow. Megan asked again?
Your sister didnt ask, she just announced it! I shot back. Because of her daughter I just lost a key client!
Dont get so worked up, Mike said, patting my shoulder. One client, no big deal. Youll find another. Family helps each other, right?
Family, sure. And whos going to help me? I retorted.
Listen youre still at home, arent you? Does it matter if youre alone or with a child? Mike shrugged.
A massive difference, I snapped. I work from home, but that doesnt mean Im not working at all!
Alright, alright, calm down, he said, pulling me into a hug. Megan will pick Poppy up soon enough.
***
Megan finally showed up at eleven at night, a new boyfriend in tow, both clearly feeling the aftereffects of a night out.
Oh, Lizzie, youre a star! she clung to my neck. Did Poppy eat? Did she do her lessons?
Yes, all good. But Megan, this is the last time, I warned.
Ugh, whatever! she snapped. Listen to me
Just then Mike appeared in the hallway.
Liz, lets not start a scene, he said gently. Megan, why dont you take Poppy back? Its getting late.
I will, I will, Megan huffed, but think about it, Mike you dont have kids, your wife isnt in a proper job, and youre still giving me ultimatums
Mike and I have been trying for a baby for two years. Ive endured three rounds of hormone therapy and two surgeries. Doctors said I need less stress and more peace.
Peace? When my sisterinlaw treats me as a freeofcharge housemaid?
***
I had the whole night to think. I decided Id head to Mums place its quiet there. As for Mike well, he can sort his own thoughts.
In the morning my husband caught me packing.
What are you doing? he asked.
Going to Mums, I replied.
For how long? worry crept into his voice.
I met his gaze and said, Well see.
He walked me to the door, then stopped. Liz, are you doing this because of Megan? It sounds ridiculous.
Its not funny, Mike, I said. Tell your sister to find another babysitter, or just look after her own child.
And I left.
Mike called every hour for the first two days, but I let it go to voicemail. On the third day Megan rang.
Liz, stop playing games! Come back! Ive got nowhere to leave Poppy!
Leave her with Mike. Hes home in the evenings, I replied.
He works! He has an important job!
So does my job not matter?
She slammed the phone. An hour later Mike called.
Megan took Poppy and left! She says if I wont babysit, I have to sort everything out myself!
Fine, sort it out then, I said with a smile.
But I have a big presentation tomorrow!
I had a big presentation too, and I blew it because of your niece.
Mike grumbled and hung up.
***
Five days later Mike phoned, sounding sheepish.
Sorry, he said. I really didnt grasp how hard it was with Poppy. She bounced on the couch and smashed my laptop, drenched my important docs in juice, and because she suddenly wanted a game of hideandseek while I was on a call, I missed my meeting
He exhaled sharply. Megan said she wont leave her with me because I cant handle children.
So Im the one who can? I replied.
Liz, please forgive me! desperation crept into his tone. I spoke to Megan and told her you wont be looking after Poppy anymore.
What did she say?
She got offended.
And you?
Im just dealing with offended people, he said. Her child, her problems.
