The bonus came just in timeyour sister needs six months rent paid upfront,” Mum declared.
Emily paused in the kitchen doorway, the words lodging in her throat like a stone. Her fingers tightened around her phone, still warm from the notification. Three voice notes from Sophie, her best friend, about the holiday theyd nearly bookedtwo weeks in Spain.
“What?” she managed.
Mum didnt look up from the stove, stirring a pot of her famous beef stew. Laughter drifted from the living roomLucy, her younger sister, sprawled on the sofa, engrossed in some reality show.
“You heard. Lucy and that boyfriend of herswhats his name” Mum frowned. “Oliver. Theyve found a flat. The landlord wants six months rent in advance. Wheres she supposed to get that kind of money? Your bonus is exactly whats needed.”
Not a question. A statement. As always.
Emily hung her coat carefully on the hook, movements slow, deliberateher way of keeping calm. Twenty-eight years of biting her tongue in this house.
“Mum, I had plans for that money,” she said carefully. “Sophie and I were going to”
“Oh, Sophie again,” Mum waved her off, checking the roast in the oven. “Always dragging you off somewhere. Youre nearly thirtystill gallivanting about with your mates. Should be thinking about settling down.”
Lucy sauntered ina younger, tattooed version of Mum. She grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and leaned against the doorframe, smirking.
“Em, why the long face? You got the bonus, yeah? Thats sorted, then.” She spooned yogurt lazily. “Oli found this amazing placetwo bedrooms, garden view. Landlords sound. Only wants six months upfront or no deal.”
Emily studied her sister. Where she was all dark hair and tired eyes, Lucy was goldenblonde curls, effortless charm. Mums favourite. Dad had called her that before he left for his secretary three years back.
“Why cant Oliver pay for it himself?” Emily kept her voice level. “Hes twenty-six. His parents could help.”
Lucy rolled her eyes.
“Theyre having cash-flow problems. Temporary. Besides, hell pay me back. Were a team, arent we?”
“We are. A team,” Emily stressed. “Not you take, I give.”
“Come on, Em,” Lucy draped an arm over her shoulder. “Youve got ages for holidays. We need this now. You get it, right? Oli and Iwere serious.”
Mum snorted without looking up.
“Serious? Youd better get a ring first.”
“God, Mum, nobody does that anymore,” Lucy drawled. “Right, Em?”
Emily said nothing. Four years at the firm, the last one as a senior analyst. Six a.m. starts, nine p.m. finishes. Weekends at her laptop. Her last proper break was two years ago.
And Lucy? Three jobs since uni, never lasting more than months. Now “figuring herself out” between nail art courses. Oliver was “entrepreneurial”which meant vague plans and no steady income.
“Emily,” Mums tone sharpened. “Dont be selfish. Your sister needs you. Family comes first.”
Something inside her snapped. Selfish? Her, handing over half her salary every month while Lucy blew hers on nights out and new clothes?
“I was going on holiday, Mum,” she said quietly. “Two weeks. Saved for a year.”
“Holiday!” Mum threw up her hands. “When your sisters trying to build a life? Always thinking of yourself.”
Lucy stepped closer, eyes wide and pleading.
“Em, please. Ill pay you back. Once I land something proper.”
“Whens that, Luce?” Emilys control frayed. “Its been three years.”
“Not everyones a workaholic like you,” Mum cut in, slamming a lid. “Lucys meant for family life. Youalways too busy for that.”
Emily clenched her jaw.
“So I dont get a family? A life?”
Mum gave her a lookhalf pity, half irritation.
“With your hours? Men want homemakers, love. Lucys warm. Youre just… tired.”
Lucy snatched Emilys phone, scrolling through Spanish resort photos.
“Bloody hell, five-star? Couldve gone three-star. Or Cornwall. Still a beach.”
Emily took it back.
“I wanted nice. Once in two yearsIve earned it.”
“Course you have,” Mum nodded. “But familys more important. Rest later.”
Later. Always later.
“Luce,” Emily met her sisters gaze. “Why not a monthly place?”
“Too pricey! This ones perfectnear the Tube, shops. Landlords fine with Olivers dog. You know how he dotes on Max.”
Max. A spaniel Oliver walked religiouslyhis sole responsibility.
“How much?” Emily already knew shed lost.
Lucy beamed.
“Ten grand. Six months! Less than two a monthbargain.”
Emily went still. Her entire bonus.
“Luce, I”
“Emily,” Mum turned fully to her. “You wont say no. I didnt raise you like that.”
The doorbell rang. Lucy bounced up.
“Olis here! Mum, set the table. Em, you joining?”
Emily shook her head.
“No. Im… tired.”
Upstairs, she sat on the bed, staring blankly. Five texts from Sophie:
“Bonus come through? Bikini shopping tomorrow?))”
“Hello??”
“Found another hotelneed to book TODAY.”
“Em?”
“Everything okay?”
Laughter from downstairsLucys shriek, Olivers rumble, Mums approving hum.
“Cant go,” Emily typed.
“WHAT WHY???”
She exhaled. How to explain this cycle?
“Family stuff.”
“Lucy again? When do you stop bankrolling them?”
No reply. Her childhood roomsame floral wallpaper, same creaky drawersfelt like a cage. She grabbed her coat.
“Going out?” Mum called.
“Walk. Headache.”
“Dont be late. Transfer Lucys money tomorrow.”
Outside, the city blurred. Her phone buzzedSophie, relentless.
“Em, serious talk. You cant keep doing this.”
“You said youd rent your own place this year. Whats stopping you?”
“ANSWER ME.”
At the Thames, she gripped the railing. Skyscrapers glitteredother lives, other choices.
Typing: “Im coming.”
“??? REALLY? What about family??”
“Let them sort it.”
The cold air burned her lungs. Empty. Free.
“Serious? No backing out?” Sophie doubted.
“Serious. Booking now.”
Right there, fingers numb, she paid for two tickets to Malaga.
Home late, the flat was quietjust Lucys music through the door. Mum asleep.
Morning. Mum in the kitchen.
“Transfer the money. Lucys signing the lease today.”
“What money?” Emily poured coffee.
Mum frowned.
“Your bonus. The alert came through. Do it now.”
Emily froze.
“You… what?”
“Joint account, love. Family expenses.”
A card shed given Mum years agofor groceries, emergencies. Not surveillance.
“Mum, its… gone,” she said slowly.
“How?”
“Tickets. To Spain. With Sophie.”
Silence. Heavy.
“Cancel them,” Mum ordered. “Lucys signing today.”
“No.”
Mum staredlike she didnt recognise her.
“Whats got into you? Youve always been good. Responsible. Now youre just… selfish.”
“No, Mum,” Emily set her cup down. “I was convenient. The one who paid. Lucy does what she likes because we let her.”
Lucy stumbled in, pyjama-clad.
“Whats the shouting?”
“Your sister chose a holiday over your flat,” Mum said.
Lucy gaped.
“Seriously? But… Oli and I were packing!”
“Lu, youre twenty-three,” Emily said. “Get a job. Pay your own way.”
“Easy for you!” Lucy whined. “I cant do the office grind. Im different!”
“But youll take from me, Mum, Oli, his parentswhen do you give back?”
“Enough!” Mum shouted. “How dare you?”
“How dare you?” Emily shot back. “Control my money? My life?”
Mum paled.
“I raised you alone. Gave everything”
“To Lucy,” Emily finished. “Im just the ATM.”
“Go,” Mum said coldly. “If thats how you feelleave.”
Emily looked at themidentical wounded pride. They didnt understand.
“Fine. After my holiday.”
Two weeks
