**The Keys to My Flat**
*”You gave me this flat!”*
Mum and the family were furious that I wanted my pregnant cousin out.
*”But you gave it to me!”*
*”Cant you see? This is family were talking about! How can you turn your own niece away when she has nowhere else to go?”*
Emily gripped her phone in the kitchen, her mothers voicepleading yet accusatoryhumming through the receiver. Typical Mum: even when asking a favour, she made you feel guilty.
*”I want to help Mum, but”* She hesitated, searching for the right words. *”Sophie has been living with me for eight months. Eight! Remember when Aunt Claire said itd just be two weeks, while she finds a job?”*
*”The job markets tough right now!”*
*”She isnt even looking!”* A wave of frustration rose in Emily. *”Yesterday she spent hours in the bathroom making hair masks, then binged TV, then”*
*”Emily, shes pregnant!”*
*”She found out a month ago! What was her excuse before that?”*
A heavy silence settled. Emily heard her mothers dramatic sighthe one that said, *”Where did I go wrong raising such a heartless daughter?”*
*”Mum, its my flat. You bought Aunt Claires share for me, didnt you?”*
*”Technically,”*her voice turned sharp*”it belongs to the family. We simply let you live there.”*
Emily closed her eyes. There it wasthe same old story.
*”I thought it was a gift. For my degree.”*
*”Of course! But in a family, you have to”*
*”Have to what?”* Emily interrupted. *”Let Sophie eat my food, use my toiletries, and invite her boyfriend over when Im not home? The same one who got her pregnant, by the way.”*
*”Emily!”* Her mothers tone hardened. *”Aunt Claire has done so much for us! When your dad was ill, who helped? Who looked after you when I worked nights?”*
Emily exhaled. The eternal debt to Aunt Claireshe knew the script by heart.
*”Im grateful, truly. But that doesnt mean I have to”*
*”She called me in tears yesterday,”* her mother cut in. *”Said youre harassing Sophie over nothing.”*
Emily scoffed. *”Nothing? She took my new jumper without asking and stained it with juice! Then had the nerve to say, You dont mindwere family. No apology!”*
*”Goodness, its just a jumper!”*
*”Its not about the jumper!”* Emilys throat tightened. *”Its respect. Boundaries. Coming home and feeling like a stranger.”*
Silence again. Then her mother murmured, persuasive: *”Your gran wouldve been so disappointed. To her, family was”*
*”No.”* Emily cut her off. *”Dont drag Gran into every argument.”*
*”But its true! This flat came from her estate. She wanted”*
*”What? Me to house Sophie forever? Put up with her selfishness?”*
Her phone buzzedAunt Claire. Of course.
*”Mum, its Aunt Claire. Probably calling to tell me what a terrible cousin I am.”*
*”Answer it. Be reasonable.”*
*”Fine,”* Emily sighed. *”Ill call you later.”*
Switching calls, she braced for the onslaught.
*”Hi, Aunt Claire?”*
*”Darling!”* An overly sweet voice. *”How are you, my sunshine?”*
Emily cringed. *”Sunshine.”* Never a good sign.
*”Sophie mentioned misunderstandings between you?”*
Emily rolled her eyes. *”Misunderstandings.”* Right.
*”Aunt Claire, you said two weeks. A month at most.”*
*”You tally like an accountant!”* A forced laugh. *”Family doesnt keep score.”*
*”Then what does family do?”* Emilys temper flared. *”Take my things? Have parties when Im away?”*
*”Oh, Sophies just sociable, she”*
*”She expects everyone to fix her messes. My parents bought your share. It was a gift to me.”*
*”Not exactly.”* Aunt Claires voice chilled. *”Its family inheritance. Your mother and I agreed”*
*”That youd sell your share to my parents. At market price.”*
*”Always about money!”* Hysteria crept in. *”And Sophies baby? Have you thought about that? Where will she go?”*
*”She has a boyfriend. The father, incidentally.”*
*”A deadbeat! He left Manchester when he heard about the baby.”*
*”I wonder why,”* Emily thought before replying, *”Youve got a three-bed with Uncle James. Why doesnt she live with you?”*
A telling pause.
*”Its complicated. James works from home. Besides, you two get on so well! Itd be good practice for youmotherhood!”*
*”Get on.”* Emily laughed bitterly. Sophie, the eternal freeloader, while shethe *”responsible one”*was always expected to yield.
*”I cant do this anymore. She has to leave.”*
*”What?!”* Aunt Claire shrieked. *”Shes pregnant! Youll stress her into a miscarriage!”*
Emily bit back a retort. The ultimate guilt-trip.
*”Im not throwing her out today. She has a month to”*
*”Im calling your mother! After all weve done for you!”*
The line went dead. Emilys hands shook.
The front door slammed. High heels clicked.
*”Em!”* A sugary voice. *”Guess who I ran into? Emma from school! Married some tech blokeher rings to die for!”*
Sophie sauntered in, manicured and tanned, designer jeans hugging her hips. No hint of distress.
*”Hey, what if we redecorated?”* She flopped onto a chair. *”Sofa by the window? And a nursery corner”*
Emily stared, her last thread of patience snapping.
*”Sophie. We need to talk.”*
*”Not now, yeah?”* She waved a hand. *”Headache. Bloody hormones. I need a nap.”*
*”Sophie.”* Emily raised her voice. *”Youre leaving.”*
Shock.
*”What?”*
*”Youve got a month to move out.”*
*”Youre joking. Thats our familys flat! Ive as much right as you!”*
*”No. My parents bought the share. Legally, its theirs.”*
*”Familys above the law! Im pregnant!”*
*”Youve got your parents. The father. Friends.”*
*”Im calling Mum!”* Sophie yanked out her phone.
*”Waste of time. Shes already called.”*
Sophie glared, venom in her eyes.
*”Aunt Claire and Mum will sort this. Youll regret it!”*
The door slammed.
Emily watched through the window. Not guiltjust tired relief.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Mum: *”Aunt Claires devastated. What have you done?”*
Ignoring it, she opened her browser: *”Flats to rent in York.”*
Three months later. Emily sipped coffee at a café near the Shambles, opposite Tom, whom shed met in London.
*”No regrets?”* he asked.
*”Only that I didnt do it sooner.”*
Her phone rang. Dad.
*”Got news,”* he said. *”We sold the flat.”*
*”Grans? But”*
*”Sophie moved back with her parents.”* A dry laugh. *”Tried to squat after you left, butenoughs enough. The moneys yours.”*
*”Mine?”*
*”Always was. Were sorry for the pressure.”*
Tears welled.
*”Dad thank you.”*
*”Be happy. Were proudeven when we didnt act like it.”*
Hanging up, she watched snow dust the York rooftops.
*”Alright?”* Tom squeezed her hand.
Emily smiled. *”Think I just grew up. Properly.”*
The snow blurred the past, painting a blank pageone where shed decide who deserved a place in her home and in her heart.
**Lesson:** Family doesnt mean forfeiting your*”Some bonds you inherit, but the ones you choosethose are the ones that truly last.”*
