Lets give your big bonus to your sister for her 30th birthday! Shell be over the moon! Helen says, halfserious, halfjoking.
Emily stares at the numbers on her laptop for the third time, as if they might change under her gaze. The bonus is even larger than she imagined. Twentyfour months at a government agency, endless negotiations, late nights on paperwork and now the biggest deal of the year is hers.
Emily, how are you? Sarah, her colleague, pops her head into the office. You look a bit stunned.
The bonus has been credited, Emily replies, eyes still glued to the screen.
Was it small? Sarah asks.
Massive. Huge.
Sarah whistles when she sees the figure.
Congratulations! Now you can finally afford everything youve been dreaming about.
Emily opens a new tab filled with pictures of the Maldives powderwhite sand, turquoise water, stilted bungalows. Shes been scrolling through travel influencers for years, picturing herself there.
The Maldives? Sarah guesses. About time! And youre 27, right? Maybe you should think about getting your own flat.
Emily nods. Living with Helen and her older sister Grace is getting harder, especially since Grace, now thirty, still hasnt landed a steady job and keeps finding excuses why it isnt her fault.
Emily returns home in high spirits. In the kitchen, Helen is washing dishes in her familiar floral apron.
Mom, Ive got news, Emily says, grabbing a yoghurt from the fridge.
What kind? Helen asks, drying her hands on a tea towel.
They gave me a huge bonus for the deal I closed.
Helens eyes sparkle.
Emily, youre brilliant! How much?
Emily reads out the amount £15,000. Helen drops onto a stool.
Oh my God thats a fortune! She pauses, then her face lights up with an idea. You know what? Lets give the bonus to Grace for her thirtieth birthday! Shell be thrilled!
Emily chokes on her yoghurt.
What?
Think about it, Helen continues, as if its the most natural thing. Thirty is a big milestone. Let Grace use the money for a trip abroad, finally get away.
Mom, are you serious? Emily sets the cup down slowly.
Whats so funny? Money should stay in the family. Grace is the eldest daughter. Besides, you earn a good salary; youll make more.
At that moment Grace walks in, fresh from a walk with friends.
Whats all this about? she asks, shedding her coat.
Emily got a massive bonus, Helen says. Were thinking of giving it to you for your birthday.
Were not thinking, Emily says firmly. Youre the one thinking.
Grace raises an eyebrow. How much are we talking about?
Helen proudly announces the figure. Grace whistles, just like Sarah did earlier.
Emily, what are you doing? Grace says, sitting beside her sister. I could really use that for my thirtieth. Ive never been anywhere. And youre still young, you have plenty of time.
Plenty of time? Emilys blood boils. Grace, Im twentyseven! I spent four years at university, two years interning for peanuts, then two more grinding to get this role. I earned this money myself!
Emily, dont raise your voice at your sister, Helen scolds.
Why can she raise her voice at me? Why does she think she can claim money I earned?
Grace folds her arms. I didnt raise my voice. I just said the gift would be useful. You know how hard it is to find a decent job these days.
Hard to find, right? Emily snaps. How many interviews did you have last year? Three? Four?
Emily! Helen raises her voice. How are you speaking to your sister? Grace is looking for work in her field, not grabbing at anything.
Mom, Im in my field too. I spent two years jobhunting, went to interviews every week, got rejected dozens of times before landing this post.
So what now? Grace interjects. Youve got the position and the bonus. Cant you feel a bit of sympathy for your sister?
Sympathy? Emilys voice rises. Grace, I feel sorry for you every month! Who pays the internet bill? Who buys the groceries? Mom and I! And what do you do?
Im looking for work!
Youre out with friends, on your phone, sleeping till noon!
Enough! Helen steps between them. Emily, Grace is right jobs are scarce. And you have such a big bonus Are you really unwilling to share with the family?
Unwilling? Emily feels tears sting. Mom, I planned to use that money for the Maldives. Ive dreamed of that since university. Then I wanted to rent a flat and finally live on my own.
The Maldives? Grace scoffs. Emily, seriously? Throwing that kind of cash on two weeks of sunbathing?
Its not throwing it away! Its my dream!
My dream is at least a trip to Brighton, Grace says. Im almost thirty. If not now, then when?
When you earn it yourself!
Helen sighs heavily. Emily, youve become so harsh, so selfish. Has success changed you that much?
Selfish? Emily feels something crack. Am I selfish? Ive been paying for everything in this flat for two years, buying your medicine, getting you gifts for every holiday. And when I want to spend my own earnings on myself, Im called selfish?
Youre exaggerating, Helen says. We all contribute.
What does Grace contribute?
Grace helps around the house.
Emily laughs bitterly. Mom, when was the last time you saw Grace mop the floor, clean the bathroom, or take out the rubbish without being reminded?
Grace is battling depression because she cant find work, Helen says quietly. Its hard for her.
Is it easy for me? Do you think its easy for me to work twelvehour days, come home and watch you make plans for my money?
Grace stands. You know what, Emily? If you treat us like this, dont give anything. Ill manage somehow.
Grace, dont say that, Helen places a hand on her eldest daughters shoulder. Emily is just tired. Shell understand and share.
No, I wont understand or share! Emily shouts. I earned this money! Ill spend it on what I need!
Helen looks at her for a long moment. Alright, Emily. If you wont help your sister voluntarily, Ill make you.
How?
Youll pay much more for the flat. Much more. Grace isnt working, Im retired. If youre so independent, then foot the whole bill yourself.
Mom
Either share the bonus with Grace, or pay for everything. Choose.
Emily stands in the kitchen, the world collapsing around her. The family shes supported is giving her an ultimatum: give up the money or become the familys perpetual cash cow.
I understand, she says quietly. Everythings clear.
She turns toward her room. Behind her, Helen whispers to Grace, Dont worry, shell come around. She just needs time.
Emily closes the door, pulls out her phone and dials Sarah.
Sarah, can I bug you?
Of course. Whats up? You sound off.
I told the family about the bonus
She explains everything. Sarah listens, interjecting with Really? and No way.
Emily, Sarah says finally, do you see whats happening? This is outright blackmail.
But its Mom and Grace
So what? Family doesnt give them rights over your money. Are you a servant, supporting an adult sibling?
Grace cant find a job
Cant or wont? How long will you let her sit on your neck? And Mom is happy to have someone foot the bills.
Emily is silent, absorbing the words.
Listen, Sarah continues. Come stay with me for a while. My flat has a big kitchen, plenty of space. You need a break from them and some clear thinking.
Sarah
No options. Pack and come. And youll definitely fly to the Maldives. Stop living someone elses life.
An hour later Emily is stuffing a suitcase. Helen watches from the doorway.
Where are you off to?
To Sarahs place. For a bit.
Emily, dont do anything stupid. Were family.
Family? Emily
