Tell James to come over right now! My daughter Emma was practically choking on her words. All three of the kids are feverish and cranky. I cant get them to the doctors on my own. He needs to drive over and help!
Margaret nodded, though Emma couldnt see it. Her stomach twisted with worry for her grandkids.
Ill sort it, love. Try not to panic, Margaret said, keeping her voice steady to avoid upsetting Emma further.
She hung up and froze. Her fingers fumbled through her contacts for her sons number. Three sick kids, Emma alone, her husband at workthis was an emergency.
James would help. She was sure of it.
First ring. Second. Finally, James answered.
Mum, hi, he said quickly.
Jamie, love, theres a bit of a situation Margaret searched for the right words. Emma just called. All three kids are poorlythey need to see a doctor. Her husband cant leave work. Could you pop over and give her a hand? Shouldnt take long.
Silence. Just the sound of James breathing and background noise.
Mum, todays impossible, he sighed. Its Sophies birthday. We booked this restaurant two weeks ago. Emmas clear across town, and the traffics a nightmare. Well miss our reservation if I go. So, no can do.
Margaret gripped the phone tighter. Her palm was sweating. Was he seriously refusing to help?
James, are you hearing this? The kids are ill! Your nieces and nephew! Emma cant manage alone with three little ones. They need to see a doctor!
Mum, I get it, he said flatly. But weve got plans. We cant just cancel. Tell her to get a taxi. Or you and Dad help. Whats the big deal?
Margaret sank into a chair. Her legs gave way. She couldnt believe what she was hearing.
Dads at work! I cant handle three sick kids by myself! How can you not understand something so simple?
Mum, I cant. Sorry, James snapped this time. Not my problem. The kids are Emmas responsibility. She can sort it.
Margaret gasped. Did he really just SAY that?
How is this NOT your problem?! she shouted. Shes your sister! Your family! You cant help her just this once?!
I said no. Weve got to get ready, sorry. The line went dead.
The dial tone cut through her. Margaret stared at the screen, numb. Her hands shook. She called again. No answer. Tried once more. Silence.
Something hot and sharp burned inside her. How dare he? She dialled her daughter-in-laws number. Maybe Sophie could talk sense into him.
Hello, Margaret? Sophie answered promptly.
Sophie, love, Margaret forced calm into her voice. Could you ask James to help? These are his nieces and nephew! Theyre ill! Emmas struggling. You understand, dont you?
Sophie sighed. Her tone was indifferent.
Margaret, parents handle their own kids. Theres taxis, NHS services. Theyre not babies. Emmas a grown womanshell manage.
Margaret froze. That stung worse than James refusal.
Sophie, do you have any idea how hard it is to wrangle three sick toddlers in a taxi?! She cant do it alone!
Theyre her children, Margaret, Sophie said coolly. We planned our evening ages ago. Were not ruining it over someone elses drama.
Shock gave way to furypure and blistering.
Then dont come crying to us when you have kids of your own! Margaret spat before slamming the phone down.
The next few days blurred. Margaret didnt call James. He didnt call her. She tried not to dwell on it, but the anger simmered, gnawing at her.
Nights were worst. Lying awake, replaying that awful conversation. How could he do this? Where had she gone wrong raising him? How had she raised someone so cold?
Her husband tried to talk about it, but Margaret brushed him off. She needed to work it out herself. Figure out where it all went wrong.
By the fourth evening, she cracked. Margaret decided to go to James house. They needed to talk face to face. She had to look him in the eye and askhow could he turn his back on family?
Sophie opened the door, surprised but silent, stepping aside. Margaret marched in, still in her coat.
Wheres James? she demanded.
In the lounge, Sophie nodded.
Margaret flung the door open. James looked up. For a second, something flickered in his eyesthen his face went blank.
Mum? Whats wrong?
How COULD you?! Her voice was so loud he flinched. Everything shed bottled up burst out. How could you refuse to help sick children?! Your own sister?! I didnt raise you to be selfishto be this heartless!
James stood slowly. His expression stayed icy. That calm made her rage worse.
Mum, you couldve called a taxi, he shrugged. Gone over yourself. Im not dropping everything every time someone snaps their fingers.
He paused. Locked eyes with her.
Or did you forget how Emma cut us off? he continued. The things shes been saying? Ever since we bought this place. No calls, snubbing us in publicsix months of this, and suddenly she needs help?
Margaret faltered. The words stuck in her throat.
Thats thats just She fumbled. Emmas renting with three kids! You and Sophie own a two-bed, no children. Of course shes a bit bitter. I didnt know she wasnt speaking to youwhats she been saying?
James narrowed his eyes. Sophie leaned in the doorway, arms crossed.
Plenty. Rubbish about me, about Sophie. Our flats none of her business, James said coldly. We earned this place. No handouts. Emmas problems are hers to fixnot drag my family into it through you.
Margaret stepped forward, fists clenched.
What are you on about?! she shouted. Shes your sister! Your blood!
No, Mum, James voice rose too. My family is Sophie. Emma shouldve thought before having three kids! No one forced her! Im not her errand boy!
Margaret winced.
Youre selfish! she cried. Only care about yourself! Your sisters drowning, and you wont lift a finger!
Help? James scoffed. Why should I help someone who ghosted me for half a year? Were done, Mum. Howd you not notice?
He took a breath. Lowered his voice.
But why am I surprised? Youve always been all about Emma. Im just an afterthought.
Youre cruel! How can you say that?! Margaret turned away. She couldnt look at him. I raised you better than this, James! Taught you to help family!
She stormed out. On the landing, she stopped, gasping. Everything burned. How could he speak to her like that?
Cold air hit her face outside. It didnt help. Walking to the bus stop, one thought pounded in her headwhere had she gone wrong? How had she raised someone so selfish? Why couldnt he see family mattered?
But deep down, in a corner shed ignored, something nagged. James words about Emma cutting ties. The digs about the flat. That he had his own family now. That Margaret had never really seen himonly Emma.
She stopped dead on the pavement. People sidestepped her. What if James was right? What if shed demanded too much, blind to his side?
No. Margaret shook her head violently. She couldnt face that. She was the mother. She knew best. Always had.
But the doubt was there now. Small, then growing, sharper with every step.
On the bus, she stared out the window. Life rolled on. But inside, something had broken.
She didnt know if she could fix it. If theyd ever talk like before. If she could forgive his refusalor if hed forgive her blindness.
The bus jolted over potholes. Margaret closed her eyes. Maybe tomorrow would bring clarity. Maybe shed find the right words. Maybe family could still mean something.
Or maybe it was already too late.
