Sophie, please, Im begging you! her sister pleaded, Dont leave me. Without you Ill never get Jamie on his feet! Ive got no money, Im not working, and you earn quite nicely Sophie, can you lend me ten pounds? Ill pay you back, honest, just a bit later
For Sophie, there was no one closer than her cousin Diana. Her relationship with their mother had long since gone cold, and she barely spoke to her younger sister after a decadesold family feud. From an early age, Sophie felt shortchanged by Diana. She scraped a university degree on her own, wandered for a while trying to find her place, and when she finally started earning a decent wage she first sorted out her own roof took out a mortgage and bought a flat a short walk from the centre of London.
Sophie was a workhorse, never shying away from extra assignments, often hauling projects home and spending weekends on them. Diana, on the other hand, preferred lavish getaways and lived largely off the generosity of men, regularly borrowing money from Sophie until the next payday. At first Sophie didnt think there was anything scandalous about it.
One evening the phone rang. The caller ID read Diana.
Hey, Sophie! Hows it going?
Hey. All good, busy as ever. You?
Diana let out a long sigh.
Listen, Ive got a tiny problem. My landlord just hiked the rent and I need fifty pounds ASAP or Im out on the street!
Sophies heart skipped.
Whoa why the sudden jump?
She says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Sophie hesitated, weighing the request.
I had a little holiday fund set aside
Come on, Sophie! Ill return it in a couple of days. Some handsome chap promised me cash, Ill give you his money back.
Diana, Im saving for a break, and
Cant you wait a couple of days? Please, please!
Sophie sighed.
Fine but only for a few days. I dont want my vacation to go up in smoke because of your irresponsible timing.
Oh thank you ever so much! You have my card details, just pop the money over.
She sent the cash, but the repayment never arrived.
***
Three months later, mustering courage, Sophie called Diana.
Diana, hi! How are you?
Oh, Sophie, hey! All good. What do you need?
Sophie felt a flush of embarrassment.
Remember that money you borrowed?
Of course. And?
Its really needed now. My phones broken, clients are calling, and I cant hear a thing. I need a new one, but Ive got no cash Please give it back.
Diana snorted.
Sophie, dont you think a £500 phone is a bit over the top? Maybe look at something cheaper?
Sophie tried to justify herself.
Techs pricey these days, and I need something robust for work, you know, heavyduty programmes.
Sophie, I simply cant pay you back right now. Ive moved into a fancier rented place, you can imagine the bills.
But you promised
I remember, I do! As soon as I get my finances straight, Ill return it, promise!
Sophie, recalling the previous disappointment, let out a weary sigh. After several direct appeals and the usual excuses, she resigned herself to the loss.
***
A few months later Diana called again.
Sophie, I need your help urgently!
What now?
I need money. Anything.
Sophie, I told you my own finances are tight. The quarterly bonus is still pending.
Just a little. My wallets empty and my stomach keeps rumbling, I dont know what to think!
Have you seen a doctor?
No time!
You havent worked for two months.
So what? Sophie, stop beating around the bush. Money, please?
Sophie sighed.
The most I can spare is five to six pounds.
Five pounds? Are you kidding me?
Thats all I have, Diana.
Fine, send the five.
Sophie tried to avoid Dianas appearances, but the cousin kept popping up like a persistent popup ad.
***
Dianas unexpected pregnancy added another layer of drama. She was dating a promising young bachelor and was convinced the baby would secure a comfortable future. Sophie, however, was sceptical. Over tea she gently voiced her doubts.
Diana, maybe dont count on that bloke so much?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve known him for barely a week. What baby?
He loves me for real! Hell propose as soon as he learns about the baby.
I think youre being a bit reckless. What if he doesnt?
Hell support us both. Hes a decent chap!
Diana, itd be wiser to rely on yourself
Stop, Sophie! Youre just jealous. Youve got no man! Once the baby arrives, everything will be peachy.
A few months later Diana burst into Sophies flat in tears.
He he he left me!
Who left? That man?
Diana nodded, choking on sobs.
He said it wasnt his child, that there are plenty of girls like me, and even threatened me if I tried to blackmail him!
I told you
Dont say anything! Im already a mess! What now?
If youre not sure you can cope, maybe consider ending the pregnancy?
Diana went into a fullblown hysteria.
Youre talking nonsense! Its five months! I was buying time so hed think I wasnt after cash! Where do I put him now?
But you said youre scared you cant manage. What will you live on? No job, no money. The father has ditched you.
Enough, Ill give birth and see what happens. Maybe Ill write him a rejection letter, or hell change his mind. Can you lend me some cash for the first few weeks? The doctors fees and vitamins are skyhigh, and Ive got not a penny!
Sophie sighed, opened her banking app, and transferred what she could.
***
Diana collected her son from the hospital and immediately began shifting her problems onto Sophie, constantly demanding help for the baby even for the most trivial tasks. Shed ring from dawn till dusk:
Sophie, love! Can you pop to the shop? Were out of milk and Jamies crying.
Its nine at night, Diana. Cant you walk over? The shops just down the road.
I cant, my backs gone funny since morning, I can barely crawl. And I dont feel like dressing Jamie. Please!
Sophie relented.
Alright, but this is the last time.
Oh thank you, dear! And grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, some chicken breasts and a few sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Dianas son fell ill, shed call at 2am demanding Sophie dash to the nightshift pharmacy:
Sophie, Jamies got a fever! I need medicine urgently!
What? We just spoke an hour ago, he was fine!
I dont know, hes screaming, cant breathe. My paediatrician friend said just grab the fever reducer from the oncall pharmacy.
Are you having a laugh? No exam, just a suggestion? Call an ambulance!
No, the ambulance will just take him to the hospital, put him on a drip and thats it. My paediatrician sells these miracle supplements Just bring what she told me to get, please!
Sophies patience thinned.
Fine, Ill be there, but this is really the last time.
Every personal request from Diana, even those unrelated to the child, was framed as essential for the baby. Sophie dressed, fed, and medicated Jamie for nearly a year and a half.
Then she finally snapped. The last straw came with another of Dianas demands.
Sophie, hi! I urgently need a new dress, Ive nothing to wear, and Jamie needs new shoes
Diana, thats enough! I cant keep doing this. Youre always asking for something for the baby, and Im exhausted too! I have a life!
What do you mean exhausted? Whos going to help me now? Do you want my child to starve and go barefoot?!
I want you to start taking responsibility for your own life and your child. Im not going to fund you any longer!
You you selfish! All you think about is yourself! What am I supposed to do now?!
Do whatever you like, just without me.
Sophie hit the end of her rope. Diana spent the rest of the day spamming angry messages, demanding money and apologies. Sophie held her ground the brazen cousin never got either. The next morning Sophie marched into her office, changed her phone number, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now she had a lot of soulsearching ahead, the first question being how on earth shed wound up in this mess.
