Well, its your own fault you got upset.
Darling, Ive been thinking why on earth do you need three bedrooms? One seems plenty, really. Little Sophie sleeps with you anyway.
At first, Emily didnt quite grasp what her mum was getting at. She assumed it was another attempt to offload some priceless heirlooma scuffed-up armchair or a dusty sideboard that had been cluttering the house for years.
Well yes, were not really using the other rooms, she replied cautiously.
Exactly! So, Ive decided to let them out. Ill find you some quiet, respectable tenants No point leaving good space to gather dust, is there? You know how it isI let you move in, and now Im left scraping by on pennies.
Emily froze. At first, she thought shed misheard, then a cold, crackling dread settled in her chest. Visions flashed through her mindstrangers in the kitchen, noise, chaos, endless guests. All under the same roof as her three-month-old daughter. Maybe it wouldnt be so bad, but it was a gamble. And Emily wasnt about to risk her babys safety.
Mum what do you mean, tenants? Ive got a child here! I dont want random people traipsing through the house.
Oh, dont be dramatic. You grew up in a shared flat, and you turned out fine, her mother waved her off. Ive been more than fair, charging you next to nothing while you save up. What am I supposed to do? Live on scraps?
Emily clenched her teeth. She hadnt expected this kind of betrayal from her own mother. Of course, her mum would never dream of renting out rooms in her own placebut Emilys home? Perfectly fine, apparently.
Still, she pushed the hurt aside. Right now, Sophie was all that mattered.
Fine, if its that important to you Well pay you for this month, Emily finally said. Well figure something out after that.
Shed hoped her mother would stop theresay she couldnt possibly take money from her own daughter, especially not now. Maybe even offer them the month rent-free. But no.
Good. Ill charge you mates rateslets say £500, her mother said, magnanimous. Just give me a fortnights notice if you decide to move out. Oh, and youll need to show the place to the new tenants. Cant have it sitting empty, you know.
Right, Emily muttered through gritted teeth, hanging up.
She opened her banking app and sent the money immediately. The moment she tapped transfer, she knewthis wasnt family anymore. It was business.
Helen had always been like this. Emilys mother had a knack for twisting situations to her advantageit just hadnt stung this badly before.
Take the time Emily found out, aged ten, that her godmother had been sending lavish birthday and Christmas giftsgiant plush ponies, robotic dogs, the trendiest dolls. Helen had taken credit for every one. Not a single present had actually been from her.
Emily had been a little hurt, sure, but mostly shrugged it off. She knew it was wrong, but it hadnt really sunk in. Her godmother, however, was furious and started sending gifts through Emilys gran instead.
Then there was the time Auntie Claire and cousin Lucy came to visit. Strictly speaking, they hadnt planned to stayjust needed a place to crash for a week while sorting paperwork. Theyd even booked a hotel, but Helen intervened.
Why on earth would you drag a child round dodgy B&Bs? Stay with meplenty of room. Now, I cant promise Michelin-star cooking, but youll be comfortable.
Auntie Claire protested but eventually caved. She was a decent sort, though, and didnt want to be a burden, so on day one, she stocked the fridge to bursting.
Our treat for the food, yours for the cooking, shed said cheerfully. Between queues and showing Lucy the sights, well be out all day anyway.
True to her word, they left early and returned late. No trouble at all. But on day three, Helen announced:
Claire, love, Ive bitten off more than I can chew. Maybe ring that hotel?
Auntie Claire was livid. The hotel, unsurprisingly, wouldnt take them back, so they scrambled for alternatives. Emily never saw them again.
Back then, shed believed her mum was just worn out. Now, she knew betterHelen had wanted a free ride. A fridge full of someone elses groceries fit the bill nicely, so once she got what she wanted, out they went.
Before now, Emily had only ever been collateral damage. Teachers side-eyed her because Helen refused to chip in for school trips and made scenes about it. Birthday party invites dried upofficially because who knows what those parents are like, but really, gifts cost money. Still, none of it compared to the flat.
Emily and James had known each other since school. Friends first, then something more. James had even given up his dream for herhed wanted to study medicine up north but knew she wouldnt follow. So he stayed, and they both trained as psychologists instead. Emily worked in a school; James went into HR. They married, saved, planned. Kids? Later, once they had their own place.
Life, of course, had other ideas.
Two pink lines. Emily didnt know whether to laugh or cry. A babywith James. But now, when they were so close to their deposit? Terrible timing.
Your call, James said. He wanted the baby too but understood the logistics.
Enter Helen.
Whats there to think about? shed declared. God sends the babe, Hell send the bread! Move into my second flatGrans old one. Youll save faster there. And dont you dare get rid of itwhat if you cant have kids later?
Helens offer tipped the scales. Difficult as she was, Emily thought they got on alright. Here was a woman with means, helping her daughter get on her feet. Noble. Generous. Right.
If only it had stayed that way.
Now, Emily didnt know where to turn. What if Helen decided £500 wasnt enough? Or moved in some dodgy mates? At this point, nothing would surprise her.
That evening, she told James everything. He listened, grim, then pulled her into a tight hug when she broke down.
Dont worry. Ill sort something. Sooner than a month, I promise.
And he did.
Days later, they visited his mum, Margaret. Nothing unusualthey dropped in often. Margaret had known Emily over a decade, back when shed taken them both to the park as kids.
At some point, Margaret took Emilys hand.
Love, James told me. Dont fretIll help with the deposit. Youre good kids. At your age, some are still leeching off their parents, but youve done well.
No grand speeches, just quiet warmth. The contrasther own mother squeezing them dry, her mother-in-law offering a lifelinewas too much. Emily burst into tears at the kitchen table.
They decided to stay with Margaret while sorting the mortgage. James packed their things while Emily returned the keys to Helens flatbut she didnt go up. Couldnt face her. Just dropped them in the letterbox and texted.
Why didnt you come up? Helen asked later.
Isnt it obvious?
Well you chose to leave. No one kicked you out. Youre the one who got upset.
After that, Emily barely spoke to her mother. Truthfully, she didnt have timepaperwork, viewings, renovations. She took on freelance work to ease the mortgage strain. Hard, yes, but it felt like building something real.
Now, she focused on her familyJames, Sophie, and Margaret, whod given them more than money. Faith. A future. As for her mother? Well, you dont get to choose family. Sometimes, the ones who matter arent the ones you share blood withjust the ones who dont let you fall.
