Again? Listen, Natalie, who did she even have that baby for? For herself or for us? I come home from work, want to eat, relax, spend time with you, and instead Im forced to sit with someone elses child!
Hes not exactly a stranger Olivia shivered, then sighed. Truth be told, I dont like it either. But Sam asked. She needed her nails done, and you cant really go to a salon with a toddler.
Ian tore at his jacket and flung it onto the chair. He needed to feed his nephew, but that was far easier in pyjamas. The chance of ending up with a smear of baby puree on his shirt? Fiftyfifty.
I get it, but you cant keep a manicure as a priority, can you? Are you the only one looking after her? Whys our family turning into a nursery?
Mums still around, but she cant do it every day Natalie began, pulling a packet of spaghetti from the cupboard.
And you, apparently, can, Ian cut in. You can do everything for everyone except yourself and me.
He scowled at first, then exhaled and relaxed a fraction. The edge softened on his face. He knew his wife wasnt an enemy. She was just relentless.
Natalie, if you dont get her off your back, shell keep riding you like a horsedrawn carriage, and youll be the one blamed. Because the driver decides the route.
Natalie pretended to be engrossed in the dinner prep, but she knew Ian was right. She just didnt know what to do. She didnt want to be a second mother to Sam, nor argue with the family.
It all started innocently.
Nat, Im feeling ill and Sams with me I need to hit the chemist, but I cant leave him alone. Im scared I wont make it please, help.
Without a second thought, Natalie bolted to the front line. No thought of ordering a delivery; her sister was ill, perhaps seriously. She had to save her.
And then the rescues never stopped.
Need the phone fixed? Olivia called. Out of groceries again? Natalie rushed. Package arrived at the depot? Natalie sprinted like a personal courier.
She could afford it. She worked remotely with a flexible schedule, so she could drop everything. That didnt mean it was convenient. Olivias house was a fifteenminute walk away. Roundtrip, plus the shop, the queue, the little errands, tallied up to at least an hour.
Natalie now worked mainly evenings, sometimes nights, when the house was quiet. Ian, of course, wasnt thrilled. Neither was she. She tried to talk to Olivia.
Olivia, whats going on with Peter? Doesnt he help at all? Natalie asked carefully, handing over another parcel from ParcelForce.
He does, of course, Olivia replied promptly. Hes just exhausted from work. He cant sit with the little one while I dash to the shower; the rest is on me.
Olivia looked after her own husband, but never thought about anyone elses. Natalie sniffed and fell silent for a beat.
And his mother? She lives right next door, doesnt she?
Dont even mention her! Olivia rolled her eyes. I want nothing to do with that toad. When she shows up, its a siege of unwanted advice until evening. Better to starve than ask her for anything.
Really? No one else around? Look, Oksanas kid is about the same age as yours. Maybe you two could share the load, or ask Christinashes not working at all.
I feel awkward dragging strangers into it, Olivia admitted. Theyre not obliged, you know.
Drawing on your own side is easier, Natalie thought, sighing.
She decided to try saying no. Even without Ians prompting, she felt it was wrong to keep bending.
The opportunity came quickly: the next day Olivia called, announcing shed booked a salon appointment.
Nat, come sit with Sam for an hour. Im literally at the salon.
Olivias tone was more command than request. She wasnt asking; she was stating. It infuriated Natalie. Why should she upend her plans just so Olivia could look presentable?
No, Olivia. I cant today. Sorry.
What do you mean you cant?
I cant solve all your problems. I have a life too.
I get it, but what am I supposed to do? I have no one else. Ive booked the slot; I cant let someone down. Shell be furious if I bail.
Olivia, you didnt even check with me before booking. Im not your errandgirl or a nanny. Sort it yourself.
Fine, Olivia snapped after a pause. Easy for you to say, you have no kids. You dont know how hard it is.
Olivia knew her nephew was becoming like a son to her, but Natalie kept silent. She was a nonconfrontational person; even this refusal felt like a feat.
Olivia didnt give up. She brought Mum into the mix.
Nat, how can you be so cruel? her mother began. Youre my sister, you have a baby, and youre turning her away! Who will help her if not us?
Mum, when she asked me for medicine I went, because it was urgent. But now she calls every day for trivial things today shes off to the salon! Is it really that urgent?
Shes a woman; she wants to look nice. Put yourself in her shoes.
Natalie raised an eyebrow. No one had ever put themselves in her shoes.
Mum, since youre so wisejust help her yourself.
Me? her mother gasped. I can barely walk! Youre the young one; its easier for you.
Young, childless, still at homeNatalie heard those tags constantly. She was sick of them. That day she finally pushed back and refused.
In retaliation, they gave her the silent treatment. For a whole week, both her mother and Olivia acted as if Natalie didnt exist. Someone else might have taken it in stride, even breathed a sigh of relief, but not Natalie. She felt displaced, wondering how to patch things up.
A week later Olivia called again, asking for childcare while she got a manicure. Natalie agreed, hating herself for it, but she slipped back into the unpaid nanny role. It seemed there were only two options: become the family outcast or endure.
Nat, youre too soft, you keep giving in, Ian warned after hearing the story. You need to be firmer, or shell never learn to pull herself together.
Natalie inhaled sharply, nodding. At night she replayed possible refusals that wouldnt incur blame.
It came at the predicted moment: the phone rang.
Nat, Im at my wits end Sams got a fever, hes been crying since dawn, I cant even sit down, let alone run to the loo. Come over, well manage together.
I cant. I have work. We have strict monitoring software on our computers nowno lunch breaks, everything timed, just like an office.
Silence stretched over the line. Olivia seemed to be looking for a weak spot.
Please! Just once, last time! Ask someone to cover you. Take a day off.
Olivia didnt grasp the full picture. Natalie had no real choice. She pretended to concede.
Fine Ill think of something.
She hung up and messaged Peter, asking for his mothers number, claiming his wife needed urgent help. Peter didnt refuse, and his motherMargaretagreed to drop by. Natalie could pinpoint exactly when Margaret arrived, thanks to the flood of messages.
Are you out of your mind?! Olivia texted. Why did you rope her into this?
You needed help. I asked her to help, Natalie replied calmly. I cant be there myself, you know that.
Olivia read the messages but stayed silent. In that instant Natalie felt a small victory. Not a war, but a battle won. Yes, Olivia would be angry. Yes, Mum would probably scold again. But now the sister would have to manage on her own or learn to lean on those who actually wanted to help.
