Emily paused in the kitchen doorway, the unspoken words catching in her throat. Her fingers tightened around her phonestill warm from her boss’s message about the unexpected bonus. Three missed calls from Sophie, her best friend, with whom she’d nearly finalised plans for a fortnight’s holiday in Spain.
“What?” she managed to whisper.
Her mother didnt glance up from the stove, where she stirred a pot of beef stew. From the living room sofa came laughterHannah, her younger sister, was engrossed in a reality TV show.
“You heard,” her mother said flatly. “Hannah and that lad of hers… whats his name…” She frowned, searching her memory. “Oliver wants to rent a flat. The landlord insists on six months rent upfront. Wheres she supposed to get that sort of money? Your bonus is exactly whats needed.”
It wasnt a request. Just another decree, as always.
Emily hung her coat on the hook, movements slow and deliberateher way of masking the tension coiling inside. Nearly thirty years of schooling herself to stay composed in front of her mother.
“Mum, I had plans for that money,” she began carefully. “Sophie and I were going to”
“Oh, Sophie again,” her mother cut in, checking the roast in the oven. “Always dragging you off somewhere. Youre nearly thirty, love. Shouldnt you be thinking about settling down instead of jaunting about with your mates?”
Hannah sauntered into the kitchena younger, carefree mirror of their mother, though with a small rose tattoo on her wrist. She grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and leaned against the counter, watching Emily with a smirk.
“Em, why the long face? You got the bonus, didnt you? Thats brilliant,” she said between spoonfuls. “Ollie found this amazing place yesterdaytwo bedrooms, garden view, proper decent landlord. Only thing is, she wont budge on the six-month rule.”
Emily studied her sister. Unlike her own practical bun and tired eyes, Hannah was all effortless charmgolden curls, dimples, a gaze that never seemed troubled. Mums golden girl, as Dad used to say before he left for his secretary three years back.
“Hannah, why cant Oliver pay for the flat himself?” Emily kept her voice steady. “Hes twenty-six. His parents could help.”
Hannah rolled her eyes.
“Theyve got cash-flow problems at the moment. Temporary, obviously. Besides, hell pay me back. Were a couplewe help each other.”
“We should help each other,” Emily stressed. “Not expect your sister to bankroll your life.”
“Come off it, Em,” Hannah said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Youve got ages to save up again. We really need this place now. You get it, dont you? Ollie and I want to see if were serious.”
Their mother scoffed without looking up.
“Serious? Proper way to test that is a ring, not playing house.”
“Mum, everyone does it these days,” Hannah drawled. “Right, Emily?”
Emily stayed silent. Four years at a finance firm, the last as a senior analyst. Six a.m. wake-ups, late nights, weekends at her desk. Her last proper holiday was two years ago.
And Hannah? Three jobs since uni, never lasting more than a few months. Currently “figuring things out” while dabbling in online beauty courses. Oliver was much the sameendless schemes, from crypto trading to web design.
“Emily,” her mothers voice turned sharp. “Dont be selfish. Your sister needs you. Thats what family does.”
Something inside Emily snapped. Selfish? Her, handing over half her salary every month while Hannah splurged on nights out and new clothes?
“I was going on holiday, Mum,” she said quietly. “Two weeks. Ive saved all year for it.”
“Holiday!” Her mother threw up her hands. “How can you think of beaches when your sisters trying to build a life? You only ever think of yourself.”
Hannah stepped closer, eyes wide and pleading.
“Em, please. Ill pay you back. Once I land a proper job.”
“When will that be?” Emilys control slipped. “Youve been saying that for years.”
“Not everyones a workaholic like you,” their mother interjected, slamming a pot lid. “Hannahs got her prioritiesfamily, children.”
“And I dont?” Emily shot back.
Her mother gave her a lookpart pity, part irritation.
“Love, when would you even have time? Always exhausted, always working. Men dont want that. Hannahs the homely type. Warm.”
Emily pressed her lips together. Meanwhile, Hannah snatched her phone, scrolling through photos of Spanish resorts as if it were hers.
“Blimey, a five-star?” she whistled. “Bit flash, isnt it? You couldve gone somewhere cheaper. Cornwalls got beaches too.”
Emily took her phone back.
“I wanted nice accommodation. Once every two years, I think Ive earned that.”
“Course you have,” her mother said dismissively. “But right now, your sister comes first. You can relax later.”
Later. That eternal refrain.
“Hannah,” Emily said, “why not find a place with monthly rent?”
“Theyre more expensive!” Hannah exclaimed. “This ones perfectnear the Tube, shops, and the landlords fine with Olivers dog. You know how he dotes on Max.”
Max. A border collie Oliver walked religiouslyhis sole responsibility.
“How much do you need?” Emily asked, already knowing shed lost.
Hannah beamed.
“Ten grand. But thats for six months! Works out under two grand monthly. Proper bargain.”
Emily went still. Ten thousand. Nearly her entire bonus.
“Hannah, I”
“Emily,” her mother cut in. “You wont let your sister down. I didnt raise you like that.”
The doorbell rang. Hannah brightened.
“Thats Oliver! Told him to come for dinner. Mum, set an extra plate. Em, youre joining, yeah?”
Emily shook her head.
“No. Im going to my room. Im tired.”
Upstairs, she sat on her bed, staring at the wall. Five new messages from Sophie blinked on her screen.
“Oi, bonus come through? Swimwear shopping tomorrow? :)”
“Em, you alive?”
“Found another hotelgotta book TODAY though.”
“Hello?”
“Everything alright?”
Laughter floated up from the kitchenHannahs giggles, Olivers booming voice, the clatter of cutlery.
“Soph, I cant go,” Emily typed.
“WHAT? WHY??”
Emily exhaled. How to explain this cycle she kept trapped in?
“Family stuff.”
“Your sister again? Em, when will you stop bailing them out?”
Emily didnt reply. Her childhood roomsame floral wallpaper, same creaky wardrobesuddenly felt suffocating. She slipped downstairs and out the front door, coat in hand.
“Where you off to?” her mother called.
“Walk. Headache.”
“Dont be late. And dont forget to transfer Hannah the money tomorrow.”
Outside, Emily wandered aimlessly. Her phone buzzedSophie again.
“Em, listen. I get its hard, but you cant keep setting yourself on fire for them.”
“You said you wanted your own place this year. Whats stopping you?”
“Talk to me.”
Emily stopped by the Thames, watching the city lights. She typed: “Im coming with you.”
“Waitseriously?? What about your family?”
“Let them sort themselves out.”
She breathed in the cool air. The weight on her shoulders lifted.
“Really? No backing out tomorrow?” Sophie replied.
“Really. Booking flights tonight.”
And she didright there, fingers trembling, she secured two tickets to Malaga.
She returned home late. The flat was quiet, save for music drifting from Hannahs room. Her mother was already in bed.
Next morning, as she prepped for work, her mother cornered her in the kitchen.
“Transfer Hannah the money,” she said briskly. “Shes signing the lease today.”
“What money?” Emily poured coffee.
“Your bonus. The alert came through last night. Dont dawdleshe needs it sorted.”
Emily froze.
“You… what?”
“Mums joint account, love. For household things.”
A joint account. Years ago, shed added her mother to her account for emergencies. Never imagined itd become a leash.
“Mum, that moneys gone,” she said slowly.
“Gone how?”
“I booked the holiday. With Sophie.”
Silence.
Her mothers voice dropped to a whisper. “You knew Hannah needed that. I told you plain as day.”
“And I told you I was going away,” Emily said, her tone unfamiliarsteady, unapologetic.
“Cancel it,” her mother
