26October2025
Dear Diary,
Ive been mired in a neverending tugofwar with my cousin, Dina Hart. It all started when Emily Em Collins begged me, tears in her eyes, Please, dont leave me, I cant manage without you. Ive got no money, no job, and youre earning nicely just lend me ten quid, Ill pay you back as soon as I can. Shed always leaned on me, and Id never quite known how far to stretch.
Emily has never had anyone as close as a cousin. Her relationship with our mother long ago fell apart, and the rift with her younger sister, Lucy, has kept them apart for years. From a young age Emily felt shortchanged, so she forged her own path, earned a degree through night classes and finally landed a decent salary. Her first priority was a roof over her head she took out a mortgage and bought a flat in a modest block not far from the centre of Manchester.
Emily works like a horse, never saying no to extra assignments, often dragging reports home to finish over the weekend. Dina, on the other hand, lives for luxe holidays and survives mostly on the generosity of men, constantly borrowing from Emily until the next payday. At first I thought Emily was just being a good aunt, but the pattern grew ugly.
One evening my phone buzzed and Dinas name lit up the screen.
Hey, Em, she said. Hows it going?
Fine, busy as ever. You? I replied.
She let out a long sigh. Listen, Ive got a problem. My landlord just hiked the rent, and I need fifty pounds straight away or Ill be on the street.
Emilys voice trembled. Why now? Whats changed?
He says its the costofliving crisis. Can you help?
I paused, thinking of the holiday fund Id set aside. Emily, Im saving for a break
Come on, Em, Ill pay you back in a couple of days. Some handsome fellow promised me money, Ill return the loan.
Dina, Im putting aside for a getaway, and
Can you last a few days? Please!
I sighed. Alright but only for a couple of days. I dont want my vacation to be ruined by your irresponsibility.
Thanks a million! Card details?
She sent the money, and I never saw it return.
Three months later, gathering courage, I rang Dina.
Hi, Dina, how are you? I asked.
Oh, Em, all good. Whats up? she replied.
I felt a flush of shame. Remember that money you borrowed?
Yes, and?
Its urgent now. My phones broken, clients cant reach me, I need a new one but Im short of cash. Could you repay me?
She chuckled, Em, a halfpound phone is a splurge, isnt it? Maybe look for something cheaper?
I tried to explain, Phones arent cheap these days and I need a decent one for work, not just a cheap handset.
Honestly, I cant give you anything. Ive just moved into a pricier rented place, you know how the bills pile up.
But you promised
Ill pay you as soon as I sort my finances, I swear.
After several blunt requests and the usual excuses, I finally accepted the loss.
A few months later Dina called again.
Emily, I need your help urgently!
What now?
I need money, even a little.
I told you Im strapped, the quarterly bonus hasnt come through yet.
Just something! My wallets empty and Im constantly hungry!
Did you see a doctor?
No time!
You havent worked for two months.
So what? Stop lecturing me, just give me something.
I could only manage five or six pounds. Five pounds? Are you joking?
Its all I can spare, Dina.
She grudgingly accepted.
I started avoiding her, but Dina was relentless, reminding me of her plight at every turn.
Then Dina announced she was pregnant. She was dating a promising bachelor and assumed the baby would secure her future. I tried to temper her optimism over tea.
Dina, maybe you shouldnt bank on this bloke?
Why not? He loves me!
Weve only known each other a week. What child?
He truly loves me! Hell marry me as soon as he learns about the baby.
I think youre being reckless. What if he doesnt?
Hell support us, hes a decent lad!
Better to rely on yourself
Youre just jealous! Youve got no man, but Ill have a baby and everything will be fine.
A few months later Dina turned up at my flat in tears.
He he left me!
Who left you?
The man.
He claimed the child wasnt his, said I was one of many, and threatened me if I tried to blackmail him.
I warned you
Dont say anything! Im a wreck. What do I do?
If youre not sure of your strength, perhaps consider ending the pregnancy?
She erupted. Youre insane! Its five months! I pretended to need time to make it look like I wasnt after money! Where do I go now?
Im not saying you must but you have no job, no cash. The fathers backed off.
She sobbed, Ill have the baby, see what happens. Maybe Ill write a rejection letter, maybe hell change his mind. Can you loan me for the first few weeks? The doctors charges and vitamins are pricey, Im broke!
I opened my banking app and transferred what I could.
Dina soon collected her son, Ben, from the hospital and immediately began shifting all her responsibilities onto me, even the tiniest chores. From dawn till dusk shed ring.
Emily, could you pop to the shop? Were out of milk and Ben is crying.
Its nine at night, Dina. Cant you go yourself? The shops just down the road.
I cant, my backs shot, I can barely crawl. And I dont feel like dressing Ben up.
Fine, Ill go, but thats the last time.
Thanks, love! Grab some nappies, oat milk, chicken breasts, and a few sausages, will you?
When Ben fell ill, shed call at midnight demanding I fetch medicine from the outofhours pharmacy.
Emily, Bens got a fever! I need help now!
What? We just spoke an hour ago, he seemed fine.
I dont know, hes screaming, cant breathe. I need a fever reducer. My paediatrician tipped me off, says the pharmacy has it.
Dina, youre being reckless. Call an ambulance instead of selfmedicating!
No, the ambulance will just take him to hospital, I trust my doctors supplements. Go get it, please, its for Bens health!
I clenched my teeth. Alright, Ill be there, but this is the final time.
Every request, even the mundane, was dressed up as something for the child. I fed, clothed, and tended Ben for a year and a half. Eventually I ran out of steam. The last straw came when she asked for a new dress and new boots for Ben.
Emily, I need a dress and Ben needs new shoes, please.
Im done, Dina! I cant keep doing this for the child. I have my own life!
Youre selfish! Who will look after my kid now? You want him to starve?
I want you to take responsibility for yourself and your son. I wont keep funding you!
You you youre a selfish hog, only thinking of yourself! What am I to do now?
Do what you must, but Im out.
I hung up, changed my number the next morning, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. The day after, I sat in my flat, staring at the empty streets of Manchester, and wondered how Id let it get this far.
Lesson learned: kindness is a virtue, but when generosity is taken for granted, it turns into selfdestruction. One must draw the line before the well runs dry.
