Only think about yourself, she whispered, her voice cracking.
Come on, Emily, please dont leave me. I cant get Jamie on his feet without you! Ive got no money, Im not working, and you earn decent wages Emily, just lend me ten pounds! Ill pay you back, I swear, as soon as I can
Emilys only close relative was her cousin Lucy. Their mother had long since cut ties, and a bitter family feud kept any contact with Lucys younger sister at bay. From childhood Emily felt shortchanged because of that rift. She fought her way through university on her own, scraped for a place in the world, and when she finally started earning a good salary she secured her own flat a modest mortgage on a flat near the city centre of Manchester.
Emily was relentless, never shying away from extra assignments, often lugging projects home to work through weekends. Lucy, on the other hand, lived for luxury getaways and survived mostly off the generosity of men, habitually borrowing from Emily until the next payday. At first Emily didnt see anything wrong with that.
One evening her phone rang. The screen flashed Lucys name.
Hey, Em! Hows it going?
Hey. All good, just at work. You?
Lucy let out a long sigh.
Listen, Ive got a small problem. My landlord just hiked the rent, and I need fifty pounds sharp. Can you lend it? Otherwise Ill be out on the street!
Emilys heart thudded.
What? Why now? Why the sudden increase?
He says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Emily paused, weighing the request.
I had that money set aside for a holiday
Emily, please! Ill pay you back in a couple of days. Some handsome bloke promised me a loan, so Ill return the favour.
Lucy, Im saving for a trip, and
Can you wait a few days? Please, Em!
Emily exhaled.
Fine but only for a couple of days. I dont want my holiday ruined because of your irresponsibility.
Oh thank you! You have my card details, right? Send it over!
Emily transferred the cash, and the repayment never came.
***
Three months later, gathering courage, Emily called Lucy.
Lucy, hi! How are you?
Oh, Em, hi! All right. Whats up?
Emilys cheeks flushed with shame.
Lucy, remember you borrowed money from me?
Yes, of course. And?
I really need it back now. My phone broke, clients cant reach me, and I cant afford a new one
Lucy snorted.
Emily, a new phone for half a grand? Isnt that a bit lavish? Maybe look for something cheaper.
Emily tried to justify herself.
Tech is pricey these days, and I need a decent one for work, not just for scrolling.
Emily, Im in a new, pricey flat now. Cant you imagine the bills?
But you promised
I remember, I promise! As soon as I sort my finances Ill pay you back, honestly!
Emily sighed heavily, recalling the previous betrayal. After several direct appeals, Lucy gave the same excuses, and Emily finally accepted the loss.
***
Months later Lucy rang again.
Emily, I need you urgently!
What now?
I need money. Anything.
Lucy, I told you Im strapped. My quarterly bonus still hasnt arrived.
Just a little, my wallets empty. Im starving, I dont know what to think!
Did you see a doctor?
No time!
Youve been off work two months.
Whatever, Emily, stop beating around the bush. Money?
Emily inhaled.
The most I can give is five or six pounds.
Five pounds? Are you joking?
Thats all I have, Lucy.
Fine, send five.
Emily tried to avoid Lucy, but the cousin kept resurfacing, a constant, nagging presence.
***
Lucys unexpected pregnancy added a fresh layer of strain. She was dating a promising bachelor and was convinced the baby would secure her future. Emily, however, doubted that optimism. Over tea, Emily cautiously voiced her worries.
Lucy, maybe dont count on that bloke so much?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known him a week. What child?
What? He truly loves me! Hell marry me as soon as he hears about the baby.
I think youre being reckless. What if he doesnt marry?
Hell still support us. Hes a decent man!
Youd be better off relying on yourself
Stop it, Emily! Youre jealous! Youve got no man! Once the baby arrives, everything will be fine.
A few months later Lucy burst into Emilys flat, tears streaming.
He he he left me!
What? Who left you?
Lucy nodded, choking on sobs.
He said the baby wasnt his. He said there were plenty of girls like me and threatened me if I tried to blackmail him.
I told you
Dont say anything! Im already a mess! What do I do now?
If youre not confident, maybe think about terminating the pregnancy?
Lucy erupted.
Youre saying that?! Im five months along! Ive been dragging this out so hed think I wasnt after money! Where do I go now?
But youve said youre scared you cant handle it. What will you live on? You have no job, no cash. Hes walked away, left you with a child.
Enough, Lucy wiped her face. Ill give birth and see what happens. Maybe Ill write a miscarriage note or hell come round. Can you lend me some cash for the first weeks? The doctors fees and vitamins are skyhigh, Im broke!
Emily opened her banking app, her fingers trembling.
***
Lucy collected her son from the hospital and immediately began shifting every burden onto Emily, cloaking even the smallest requests in for the baby. From dawn till dusk shed call.
Emily, hi! Can you pop to the shop? Were out of milk and Jamies crying.
Its nine at night, Lucy. Cant you go yourself? The shops just down the road.
I cant. My backs killing me; I can barely crawl. And I dont feel like dressing Jamie up. Please!
Emily sighed.
Alright, but thats the last time.
Thanks, love! And grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, a chicken breast, and some sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Lucys son fell ill, shed demand emergency trips to the outofhours pharmacy at midnight.
Emily, Jamie has a fever! I need help now!
What? Just a moment ago we were chatting!
I dont know. Hes screaming, cant breathe. I called a paediatrician, she said get paracetamol from the night pharmacy.
Lucy, are you serious? No exam, just advice? Call an ambulance!
Shell come, theyll take him to the hospital, maybe bring his temperature down. I trust her, she sells these miracle supplements
This is too much. Why should I haul across town in the dead of night?
But hes crying! You dont want anything to happen to him, do you?
Emily forced back her irritation.
Fine, Ill be there, but this is the final time.
Every personal request from Lucy, no matter how trivial, was dressed as a necessity for the child. Emily fed, clothed, and nursed Jamie for a year and a half.
Then the last straw came.
Emily, I need a new dress, I have nothing to wear, and Jamie needs new shoes too.
Lucy, thats enough! I cant keep doing this. You constantly demand for the baby, and Im exhausted. I have a life too!
What do you mean exhausted? Who will help me now? Do you want my child to starve in rags?!
I want you to take responsibility for your life and your child. Im done supporting you!
You selfish! You only think of yourself! What am I supposed to do now?
Do whatever you like, but not with me.
Emily slammed the phone. Lucy spent the rest of the day spamming abusive messages, demanding money and apologies. Emily held her ground; the relentless sister never received the answer she wanted. The next morning Emily walked into her office, changed her phone number, and finally exhaled a breath of relief. She now faced a long road of selfreflection, starting with how shed ended up in this tangled mess.
