The niece turned up at my flat in Shoreditch, but she was livid that I hadnt fed her.
My sister and I live in different towns shes in Manchester, Im in London. Her daughter, Harriet, dreams of a place at King’s College, which is right here. Shell soon be in the student halls, but for now shes only stayed a fortnight to sort paperwork and perhaps sit a couple of exams. Im not involved in the bureaucracy; I just know that a preenrolment visit is normal. My sister arranged for Harriet to crash with me.
Whos supposed to put food on the table?
We never discussed meals. If her mother kept quiet, the responsibility fell to them. I walked into the sittingroom and found Harriet fuming, arms crossed. Whats wrong? I asked. She snapped, I thought youd at least have a proper lunch ready for me. I replied sharply, Im not going to cater to you, and Im living on my own schedule. I have to be out in a tick! Call your mum and have her transfer some cash to your account, then buy some biscuits, a packet of cheese, and a cuppa. And get tea too Im out of it! Youre 18, love, not a child!
Her mother, Susan, hasnt spoken to me in ages. She doesnt know that when the kids flew the nest, my husband vanished to some unknown corner, and I threw myself into work. My days are a relentless grind; Im home only sporadically, and Ive no energy left for domestic chores. A proper nights sleep is a luxury I cant even afford.
Im not about to sacrifice anything for a guest.
Its lovely, really, to see Harriet grown and ladylike, but Im no longer the freespirited Aunt Lucy who could whip up a feast for an elephant without a second thought. Let her shop, slice, boil, fry, or steam whatever she wants. Better still, she could buy something readymade so I dont end up wrecking the stove or the flat.
She stormed off, simmered, and now broods in silence each day, apparently expecting full board with mums help. Maybe things will settle down. Its hard to drop the role of the everhelpful aunt overnight; Ive spent years keeping the peace with everyone close to me. Im still peaceloving, having offered a free bed, albeit without the fullservice element. I went to a therapist for advice on how to gently explain to the family that Im not as functional as I used to be. They need to expect less from me now.
