Arent you ashamed to ask my son for money? snapped Margaret, her voice sharp as she overheard the conversation about food.
Emma, did you buy this cream? asked Katherine, picking up the small jar from the bathroom shelf. Its quite expensive.
No, Oliver brought it, replied her daughter-in-law, drying her hands on a tea towel. Says it helps with wrinkles.
Katherine set the jar back with a sigh. Her son wasted money on nonsense while essentials went wanting. Just this morning, hed called to apologisegroceries would have to wait till tomorrow.
What are we making for lunch? she pressed. The fridge has only potatoes and carrots.
Emma shrugged. Dunno. Maybe soup?
With what? No meat, no chicken. Just vegetables.
Then well make vegetable soup. Emma opened the fridge. Theres onion and cabbage too. Itll be fine.
Katherine shook her head. In her day, women planned betteralways a weeks worth of food in the pantry.
What about Lily? she asked, referring to her four-year-old granddaughter. She wont just eat soup.
Ill make porridge, Emma said, pulling out a box of oats. Or buttered pasta. Kids love that.
Do we even have butter?
Emma checked the fridge. Barely fifty grams left.
Katherine exhaled. They were scraping by, yet her son splurged on creams. Young people had their priorities all wrong.
Listen, Emma, she said, sitting on a stool. Could you pop to the shop? At least get bread and milk for Lily.
With what money? Im skint.
How? You work!
Paydays not till Friday. My purse is empty.
Katherine paced the kitchen. Oliver was delayed with money, Emma had none, and the family still needed feeding.
My pension went on medicine, she muttered. Blood pressures been dreadfulhad to buy expensive tablets.
Then well wait till tomorrow, Emma suggested. One day wont hurt.
And whatll Lily eat? Katherine huffed. Starve the child, will you?
Emma froze, ladle in hand. What dyou suggest? Frying air?
I dont know! Think of something! Youre her mother!
Footsteps pattered in, and Lily appeared in her pyjamas, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
Gran, whens lunch?
Soon, love, Katherine scooped her up. Mums cooking now.
Silently, Emma peeled potatoessmall, sprouted things, far from appetising.
Mum, can I have biscuits? Lily peered into the cupboard. Theres a box.
Only crumbs left, said Emma. After soup, okay?
What kind of soup?
Potato.
Lily wrinkled her nose. I dont want potato. I want meat, like at Aunt Sophies.
Katherine sighed. The girl was rightchildren needed proper meals, not just veg.
Emma set the pot on the hob, hands trembling faintly from stress.
Emma, Katherine said softly, maybe call someone? Friends? Your parents?
Why?
To borrow money. For food.
Emma spun round. No. Theyve their own troubles.
People understand emergencies.
I dont beg.
Your parents, then?
Mums in hospital. Dads with her. Their savings are gone on bills.
Katherine eyed the potwater and potatoes, no aroma, no appeal.
Right, she said firmly, grabbing her phone. Ill call Oliver. Hell bring something.
He said he cant today.
Well try.
She dialled. Ollie? Its Mum… Fine, fine… Listen, any chance you could swing by? Were desperate for food… What dyou mean, no cash?… Wheres it gone?… Right… Tomorrow morning?… Fine.
She hung up. Says hell come tomorrow. Claims hes skint too.
Then we make do. Emma stirred the soup.
Lily, meanwhile, climbed a chair and fetched the biscuit tinempty save for crumbs.
Mum, can I eat these?
Go on, sweetheart.
The girl licked her palm clean. Katherines chest tightened watching her.
Emma, please, she tried again. Just ask someone. For Lilys sake.
How many times? No!
Why? Too proud?
Not pridedecency. I wont leech off others.
Leech? Theyre friends!
Whove got kids and bills too.
Katherine paced. The situation was dire.
Ask the neighbours, then. Mrs. Wilkins would help.
No.
Why not?
Its awkward. Were not close.
Shes kind. Shell understand.
Emma ignored her, stirring the thin broth.
Mum, whens Dad coming? Lily asked. He promised ice cream.
Tomorrow, love.
None today?
Not today.
Lily pouted. Why doesnt Dad come? Doesnt he love us?
Course he does. Hes just busy working.
Katherine couldnt bear it.
Lily, go watch cartoons. Gran needs to talk to Mum.
Once the girl left, she turned to Emma.
Listen. Children need proper meals. Not just soup.
What choice have we? No magic wand here.
Youve a phone, contacts. Surely someone can help?
I said no.
Or are you too posh to ask? Katherine snapped. Oliver provides the flat, the bills, yet youll sneer at outside help?
Emma paled. How dare you!
Lily, hearing shouts, began crying. Emma swept her up and retreated to the bedroom.
Alone, Katherines hands shook with frustration. Such stubbornness! A child went hungry while principles were prized.
She dialled Mrs. Wilkins.
Valerie? Its Katherine from number forty-two… Yes… Were in a spotmay I pop over?
Five minutes later, she stood on the neighbours step.
Come in! Whats wrong?
No food. Olivers delayed, Emmas skint. Lilys got nothing.
Oh, the poor lamb! Valerie clasped her hands. Of course! Ive milk, yoghurtslet me pack some.
She returned with a bag. Biscuits, sausagesenough for two days.
Thank you, Katherine whispered, blinking back tears. Well repay you.
Nonsense! Neighbours help neighbours.
Back home, Emma sat at the table, eyes red.
Whats that?
From Valerie. For Lily.
I told you not to beg!
And let the child starve?
Emma stared at the yoghurts, biscuits, cheese.
Lily! Katherine called. Looktreats!
The girl gasped. Where from?
Mrs. Wilkins sent them. Just for you.
Lily grabbed a yoghurt, gulping eagerly. Emma watched, something shifting inside her.
Thanks, she murmured.
Thank Valerie, not me.
As Lily reached for another, Emma realisedpride wasnt always strength. Sometimes, it was the wall that kept help out. And no child should pay that price.
