Pick up my daughter from school, Megan demands, tapping her nail impatiently. It wont be hard, will it?
It isnt, I say, but
Later, later! she waves her hand. Im late for my manicure. Just collect Ellie at three from afterschool club, okay?
Hold on, Megan, I reply firmly. Ill collect Ellie today, but Ive explained a hundred times that I work from home. That doesnt mean Im idle.
Later, later! she shrugs. Thanks! and she hangs up.
Theres nothing else to do, so I head to the school gate and collect my niece. Ellie steps into my flat without even taking off her trainers and flops onto the sofa beside my work laptop.
Aunt Liz, put the cartoons on the big screen, she demands. Moms tablet died.
I glance at the clock. In fifteen minutes I have a client presentation Ive been prepping for the past two weeks. My lunch, a takeaway from the kitchen microwave, is cooling on the counter.
No cartoons right now, I say. Why not read a book instead?
I dont want to read, Ellie puffs. School makes me, Mom makes me, and now you?
Then find something else to do, I shrug.
She purses her lips and buries herself in her phone.
***
Six months ago Megan and Ellie moved into the flat just above mine. I thought it would be funfamily nearby, dinner together, tea and gossip. I even baked a batch of scones the day they arrived. Megan took one, sniffed it and said, Oh, Ellie cant have raisins, shes allergic.
There was no allergy; a week later I see her devouring identical scones from the bakery across the road.
That was only the beginning. At first Megan would pop in for a minute to borrow salt, eggs, or ask me to watch Ellie for five minutes while she dashed to the shop. Five minutes stretched into three hours, the shop turned out to be a salon, and Ellie managed to turn the whole flat upside down.
Aunt Liz, Im hungry! Ellie tugs at my sleeve. Mum says youll make me macandcheese, just like I like.
I take a deep breath, count to ten in my head.
Ellie, sit right here and dont touch anything, I seat her at the kitchen table, hand her paper and crayons. Draw while I finish my meeting, then Ill cook something for you, okay?
But I want it now! she whines.
I fire up my laptop and start the presentation, trying to sound confident even as Ellie begins to sing a tune from *Frozen* in the background.
Excuse me, whats that noise? the senior manager asks, puzzled.
It uh the neighbours, I lie, gesturing for Ellie to quiet down.
She seems to think Im playing a game, so she sings even louder, drumming her pencils on the table. I apologize, mute my mic, turn to her:
Ellie, please, lower your voice. This is an important meeting.
My mum says your work is just a joke! she blurts, innocentlooking. You just sit on the internet pretending to be busy!
I catch a murmur from the manager, but the mic is off and I hear nothing.
***
In short, the deal collapses. Two months of work gone. The bonus Id hoped would buy a new PC disappears. I sit at the kitchen table staring at my laptop screen while Ellie demands her macandcheese.
That evening David comes home, tired but in good spiritshis job is going swimmingly.
Oh, Ellies here? he raises an eyebrow. Did Megan ask again?
She didnt ask, she just assumed it, I snap. And because of her daughter I just lost a key client!
Dont get so upset. One client, youll find others. Family needs help, he says.
Family, right? Whos helping me?
Listen youre home anyway, David shrugs. Whats the difference, with or without a child?
A huge difference, I reply. Yes, I work from home, but that doesnt mean Im not working!
Alright, alright, dont stress, he says, pulling me into a hug. Megan will pick Ellie up soon.
***
Megan only turns up at eleven at night, bringing her new boyfriend, both clearly tipsy.
Oh Liz, youre a star! she clings to my neck. Did Ellie eat? Did she finish her homework?
Yes, all good. But Megan, this is the last time, I say firmly.
No way! she slurs.
Its not no way, listen to me I begin, angry.
David appears in the hallway.
Liz, dont start, he says gently. Megan, you should take Ellie home, its late.
I will, Megan snaps, but think, David, you have no kids. Your wife doesnt have a proper job, and you keep throwing ultimatums at me
David and I have been trying for a baby for two years. Ive undergone three rounds of hormone therapy and two surgeries. Doctors say I need time, less stress, more rest.
How can there be any rest when my sisterinlaw treats me as a freehand maid?
***
I have the night to think. I decide to go stay with my mum, where its quiet. David he can figure out what to do next.
In the morning David catches me packing.
What are you doing? he asks.
Im going to mums, I answer.
For how long? his voice trembles.
I meet his gaze and say, Well see.
He walks me to the front door, then stops.
Liz, listen is this because of Megan? Its absurd!
It isnt funny, David, I reply. Tell your sister to find another babysitter, or just look after her own child.
And I leave.
The first two days David calls every hour, but I let it ring. On the third day Megan phones.
Liz, stop playing games! Come back! I have nowhere to leave Ellie!
Leave her with David. Hes home in the evenings.
He works! He has an important job!
So my job isnt important?
She hangs up. An hour later David calls.
Megan brought Ellie and left! She says since Im refusing, I have to sort it all out!
Fine, sort it out yourself, I say with a smile.
But I have a big presentation tomorrow!
I had a big presentation too, and I blew it because of your niece.
David mutters and hangs up.
***
Five days pass. One morning David calls, voice tentative, asking me to come back.
Im sorry, he says. I really didnt grasp how hard it was for you. Those five days with Ellie I almost lost it. She jumped on the sofa and broke my work laptop. Then she spilled juice on vital documents. And because she suddenly wanted to play hideandseek and tag at the same time, I missed my meeting
He sighs heavily.
Megan said she wont leave her with me any more because I cant handle kids.
I grin, So I can?
Liz, please forgive me! desperation leaks into his tone. I talked to Megan and told her you wont sit with Ellie any longer.
What did she say?
Shes offended.
And you?
I? Im just the one who carries the water for the offended, he replies. And her child, her problems
