Up to My Eyeballs in My Own Affairs, and Then You Show Up

Well, Nat, this is the last time youve got to bail us out, right? Were family, after all! Sarah pleaded over the phone, her voice as desperate as when she needed cash.

Sarah, Ive already helped you twice this month, Natalie said wearily. And you still havent paid back the hundred pounds you borrowed last time.

Im looking after Emily for you! Sarah snapped back. I pick her up from nursery now and then. Doesnt that count for anything?

Natalie walked over to the window. A fine drizzle turned the pavement into a grey mirror.

In the past two months youve sat with the little one twice, she noted calmly. Thats all. Ive spent so much on you that I might as well have hired a nanny.

Nat, dont be stingy! Sarahs tone grew even more plaintive. Help me, will you? I promise to repay you next week. Im in a bit of a bind…

Natalie closed her eyes. Same old song as a month ago, as a twomonthsago. Sarah always knew how to pull the right strings, pressing the exact sore spots.

Please, help me, her sister continued. Be a decent person; were family!

Natalie opened her banking app and transferred the requested sum. The hundred pounds vanished from her account, just as it had many times before.

Money sent, she said dryly. But thats really the last time, Sarah. Its time you got a grip and started pulling yourself together.

Thanks, love! I adore you! Sarah exclaimed, then promptly hung up.

Natalie set the phone aside and poured herself a mug of tea. Steam curled up from the cup, blurring the kitchens edges. She sank into a chair, cupping the warm mug.

After theyd both left their hometown of Nottingham for London to study and then work, the sisters relationship grew increasingly strained. Sarah drifted from job to job every six months, flaky and restless. Natalie, on the other hand, yearned for stability and a family.

Shed had a family once, but it didnt last long. When Emily was three, her husband ran off with a younger colleague, leaving Natalie with a infant and a twentyyear mortgage. Now Emily was five, attending nursery, while Natalie survived on modest child support and a job at an advertising agency.

Occasionally she asked Sarah to watch Emily, but lately Sarahs only response was another request for cash. Every call turned into a fresh plea, a new tearladen tale of how hard life was for her.

Two weeks passed. Sarah disappeared into the London hustleno calls, no texts. Of course, the money was never returned.

Natalie didnt call first. A sour ache settled under her ribs, a dull pain that flared every time she thought of her sister. Then, on Wednesday, a presentation ran overdue, a demanding client nitpicking every detail.

She darted around the office, glancing at the clock. Emily would be due from nursery soon, but she couldnt break away.

Hello, Sarah? she panted into the handset. Could you pick Emily up? Im stuck at work.

Loud music thumped in the background, laughter and voices spilling out. Sarah was clearly at some club or bar.

Cant, Sarah cut in. Im busy. Ive got my own plate full.

Sarah, you promised to help with Emily! Natalie raised her voice. Ive given you money, and you cant even manage a quick pickup?

Im busy, what do you want me to do? Sarahs tone snapped. Ive got plans tonight!

The line clicked. Sarah hung up.

Natalie stood alone in the now empty office, unsure what to do. Asking for leave wasnt an option; shed just taken sick leave when Emily fell ill. She couldnt afford another slipup with the boss.

She frantically scrolled through contacts. Mum was back in Nottingham. Friends were either at work or stuck with their own kids. Her eyes landed on Christine the exsisterinlaw, the former wife of her exhusband.

A finger hovered over the name. They hadnt spoken in over a year, not since the divorce. But she had no other choice.

Christine, hi, Natalie said when the line answered. Sorry to bother you, but Ive got a bit of a situation

She explained quickly, bracing for a rejection.

Of course Ill take her! Christine replied without hesitation. Same nursery, right?

Yes, Natalie exhaled in relief. Thank you so much.

No problem. Emilys my niece, after all.

Forty minutes later, Natalie received a photo: a smiling Emily in a car beside Christine, flashing a thumbsup. Heading to my place. All good, read the message.

Natalie wrapped up the presentation in record time and raced to Christines flat. The twobedroom home was decorated in a clean Scandinavian stylelight wood, white walls, leafy plants on the windowsills.

Mum! Emily shouted as she burst into the hallway, hugging Natalies legs. Aunt Christine helped me make a pinecone hedgehog for the nursery!

Come in, teas on, Christine smiled, clearing away modelling clay and coloured paper from the table.

While Emily built with blocks, the women settled at the kitchen table with their mugs.

How did it come to pass that no one could pick her up? Christine asked gently.

Natalie recounted the whole saga with Sarah, the bitterness and disappointment evident in her voice.

You know what, Christine mused. I work from home, flexible hours. If anything like this pops up again, just ring me. Emilys still my niece and I love her.

Natalie stared at Christine, still amazed. After the divorce shed expected the exhusbands family to turn their backs, yet here was unexpected support from a corner she never imagined.

Thank you, really, she said sincerely. I appreciate it more than you know.

They left for home as the streetlights flickered on. Emily chattered the whole way about her pinecone hedgehog and the coin tricks Aunt Christine showed her.

From then on, Natalie and Christines friendship blossomed into a warm, regular thing. Christine began calling, offering to take Emily on weekends.

Let me look after Emily on Saturday, shed say. We can go to the toy theatre, then have icecream. Youve earned a break.

A few weeks later, Natalies phone rang. The display read Sarah.

Nat, listen, her sister blurted out without preamble. I need money, right now. Its an emergency

Natalie was lounging on the sofa, Emily busy drawing princesses with coloured pencils.

Sorry, thats it, she replied calmly. My charity work ends here. No more cash. You can keep the debt, but dont expect new loans.

What?! Sarah shrieked. I help you with the girl! If you dont give me money Ill stop looking after her altogether!

You let me down when I really needed you, Natalie said evenly. And you know what? I havent asked you to watch Emily for over a month, and Ive managed fine. So your help is no longer required, and I wont be paying any more.

Nat, youve gone mad! Sarah yelled.

Bye, Natalie hung up and blocked the number.

Emily looked up from her drawing.

Mum, why was Aunt Sarah shouting? she asked.

Adults sometimes argue, love, Natalie explained gently. Its nothing to worry about.

A buzz followed a message from Christine.

Hey, lets meet at that new kids café this weekend. My friend recommended it. While Emily plays, we can sort out her birthday plans. Shes my only niece, I cant let her down.

Natalie smiled and typed back:

Great idea! What time?

She watched Emily happily colouring another princess and thought how oddly life turned out. The closest bonds sometimes form with people you never expected, while those you relied on most let you down at the worst moment. The key thing was that shed no longer tolerate being treated like a cash machine. She had a daughter, a job, and now genuine support from someone who asked for nothing in return. And that was more than enough for happiness.