You Wouldn’t Have Achieved a Thing Without Me!

Without me youd achieve nothing, Emily said, flicking a speck of dust off her nose as she slumped back in her chair at the little coffee shop on Oxford Street. You know, Sarah, business has been slow lately. Maybe I made a mistake walking away from the office?

Just go back, Sarah replied, stirring her cappuccino with a lazy grin. Theyll welcome you with open arms.

Sarah huffed and shook her head. Nah. Id rather be on my own than under the foreverwatchful eye of a boss. I just need to get the word out better.

For the past six months shed poured all her energy into her photography hustle. She built a portfolio, launched an Instagram page, posted new shots every week. Clients trickled in, but the flow was erraticone week she was booked solid, the next she was staring at an empty calendar and a drafty pocket. She knew it would take time, patience, and a lot of elbow grease.

Emily worked as a sales assistant in a big electronics chain in Manchester. Chatty, with a ready smile and a knack for turning any conversation into a story, she clicked with shoppers instantly. Whenever the chat drifted toward birthdays or family gatherings, Emily would casually mention her photographer friend. A couple of times that led to small jobs for Sarahnothing huge, but a nice little boost.

Remember that couple who came in last week? Emily said, sipping her latte and squinting at the menu. I sent them your way for a kids photo shoot.

Oh, right, Sarah nodded. Thanks, actually. They were adorable, the baby was a total charmer.

No need to thank me, Emily waved her hand. But technically you owe me a cut.

Sarah froze midsip.

What?

Come on, its logical, Emily shrugged. I bring the clients, you take the pictures. Thats a partnership, isnt it?

Sarah stared at her friend for a beat, wondering if she was joking, then burst out laughing. Your sense of humour scares me sometimes.

Just thinking out loud, Emily grinned.

They drifted onto other topicsnew series on Netflix, mutual acquaintances, weekend plans. Sarah soon forgot the odd comment; Emily had probably just made a bad joke.

Months rolled on in a steady stream of shoots. Sarah photographed families in parks, childrens birthday parties in playrooms, and corporate headshots for résumés. She posted ads on local sites, struck deals with event organisers, and asked clients for reviews. Her client list grew slowly but surely.

Emily kept reminding her of her contribution. Occasionally shed drop a line like, Without me youd still be jobless, or, with a fauxhurt tone, I sent you so many people and you never properly thanked me. Sarah brushed it off. Emily liked to embellish her role in others successesa quirk of her personality, nothing more. Sure, a few clients had come from Emilys suggestions, but Sarah could have managed without them.

One afternoon Sarah dropped by Emilys flat. Emily looked pale, dark circles under her eyes. Over tea she blurted out, Thats it. Im done.

Whats happened? Sarah looked up from her phone, where she was editing a wedding shoot.

Im quitting, Emily said, rubbing her face with her hands. Im fed up with the shop. Customers are always angry, the manager is a nightmare, the hours are insane. Im over it.

Seriously? Sarah set her phone aside. What will you do next?

I dont know yet, Emily shrugged. Ill take a break, think about it. Maybe find a decent office job, maybe change careers entirely. Something better, whatever that means.

Bold move, Sarah nodded. Good luck, then.

The weeks after Emily quit were a blur of lazy days. She met friends for brunch, wandered through the boutiques of Covent Garden, posted Instagram captions like Finally taking a break and Living for myself. She never uploaded a CV, never went to an interview. When Sarah asked what she was up to, Emily gave vague answers: Just looking, nothing exciting yet, no rush.

A month later her tone shifted. Emily started whining, These blasted loans, she muttered, tapping her phone. The banks called three times already about my arrears.

Didnt you consider a temporary job while you look for something better? Sarah suggested cautiously. Just to keep the lights on.

Where would I even apply? Emily grimaced. Either they pay peanuts or the requirements are astronomical. I wont settle for just any job; I have experience, I have qualifications.

Sarah said nothing. Arguing would have been pointlessEmily would find an excuse anyway. She seemed to be waiting for a miracle: a perfect vacancy falling from the sky or money appearing out of thin air.

Meanwhile, Sarahs work was buzzing. Shed just finished a lavish wedding in Brighton. The couple were a delight, the bride had a detailed shot list, the groom was supportive of every creative idea. The day ran from the morning prep to the banquet, leaving Sarah exhausted but satisfied. Editing took a few days, and the newlyweds also ordered a short highlight video. The payment covered her expenses for the next month comfortably.

That evening her phone buzzed. It was Emily.

Hey, Emilys voice sounded businesslike. We need to talk.

What about? Sarah was still tweaking the last batch of wedding photos.

You shot that wedding last week, right?

Yes, I did. Why?

Well, that couple I sent you were regulars at the shop. The bride bought a camera from us about five months ago, and I told her about you.

Sarah frowned. The bride had found Sarah through Instagram, after scrolling through portfolios for weeks.

So you found me on social media because I mentioned you? Sarah asked.

Exactly. I told her about you, she remembered, and thats why she booked you. So Im owed a cutten grand.

Sarahs mouth went dry. Youre joking?

No joke, Emily said, irritation flashing. I brought you the client, now I want my share.

Emily, are you out of your mind? Sarah tried to stay calm. You mentioned my name a few times months ago. That doesnt make you a business partner.

It does, Emily insisted stubbornly. Without my recommendation shed have gone to someone else.

Even if shed found another photographer, Id still get work from other sources. My income depends on my skill, my effort, my equipment, not on your casual mentions, Sarah snapped. You have nothing to do with my earnings.

So thats it? Emilys tone hardened. When I was sending you clients you were grateful. Now the moneys coming in, Im suddenly irrelevant?

Emily, this is nonsense, Sarah said, rubbing her temples. I get youre in a tight spot financially, but that doesnt give you the right to demand money for a favour you never actually did. You quit your job, youre not looking for work, and now you want to squeeze me for cash?

A real friend would help, Emily said, sounding hurt. Im not asking you to fund me, just to pay what I earned.

You earned nothing, Sarah shot back. All you did was say Hey, I know a photographer. Thats it. Ive invested years, bought gear, stayed up till three in the morning editing. What have you been doing? Sitting on the sofa watching telly?

Think youre so successful, all on your own? Emily hissed. Without me youd be nothing.

You know what, Emily? Sarah exhaled a weary sigh. Im done listening to this. Sort out your loans yourself, get a job, act like an adult. Dont demand money that isnt yours.

Youre no longer my friend, Emily shouted, slamming the phone down.

Sarah sat there for a few minutes, phone in hand, trying to process the absurdity. Demanding money for a casual namedrop? Was that extortion, manipulation, or just plain audacity?

She opened her messenger, blocked Emily, did the same on Instagram, added the number to her blacklist. No explanations, no goodbyesjust a clean cut.

Sarah leaned back on her couch, closed her eyes. How long had she tolerated those odd hints, those veiled claims of joint earnings? How many red flags had she ignored? Real friends never demand payment for a favour. They dont wield guilt as a cashgrab. They celebrate your wins, stand by you in the lows, and never try to turn friendship into a profit centre.

She opened her laptop, stared at the unedited shot waiting on the screen, and thought: time to keep working, keep growing the business, keep sharpening the craft. And, most importantly, surround herself with people who value friendship for what it isnot for the pound sign it carries.