Elsie clutched her phone in the kitchen, her mothers voicepleading yet accusingechoing through the receiver. Typical Mum. Even when asking for a favour, she made it sound like a guilt trip.
*”You gave me this flat!”*
*”Its the familys flat! Mum and the rest wont stand for you kicking your pregnant cousin out!”*
*”But you gave it to me!”*
Elsie gritted her teeth. *”Mum, I want to help, but”* She hesitated, searching for the right words. *”Lucys been living with me for eight months. Eight! Remember when Aunt Grace said itd just be two weeks, til she found a job?”*
*”The job markets tough right now!”*
*”Shes not even trying!”* Frustration burned in Elsies chest. *”Yesterday, she spent hours in the bathroom making face masks, then binge-watched telly. And then”*
*”Elsie, shes pregnant!”*
*”She found out a month ago! What about before that?”*
A heavy silence followed. Elsie could almost see her mothers dramatic sighthe one that screamed, *”What an ungrateful daughter Ive raised.”*
*”Mum, its my flat. You and Dad bought Aunt Graces share for me, didnt you?”*
*”Technically,”* her mothers voice turned sharp, *”it belongs to the family. Were letting you live there.”*
Elsie shut her eyes. There it wasthe same old song and dance.
*”I thought it was a gift. For my graduation.”*
*”Of course! But you know how family is”*
*”How?”* Elsie cut in. *”Were supposed to let Lucy eat my food, use my things, and sneak her boyfriend in when Im not home? The one who got her pregnant, by the way.”*
*”Elsie!”* Her mothers tone hardened. *”Aunt Grace did so much for us! When your dad was ill, who helped? Who looked after you when I worked nights?”*
Elsie exhaled. The eternal debt to Aunt Graceshe knew the script by heart.
*”Im grateful, truly. But that doesnt mean I have to”*
*”She rang me yesterday,”* her mother interrupted. *”In tears. Said youre harassing Lucy over petty things.”*
Elsie scoffed.
*”Petty? She took my new jumper without asking and stained it with juice! Then had the nerve to say, You dont mind, were family. Didnt even apologise!”*
*”Good lord, its just a jumper”*
*”Its not about the jumper!”* Elsies throat tightened. *”Its about respect. Boundaries. Coming home and feeling like a stranger in my own flat.”*
Silence. Then, her mothers voice softened, persuasive.
*”Your nan wouldve been so disappointed. To her, family meant”*
*”Dont,”* Elsie cut in. *”Dont bring her into every argument.”*
*”But its true! This flat came from her estate. She wanted”*
*”What? Me to house Lucy forever? Put up with her nonsense?”*
Her phone buzzedAunt Grace. Of course.
*”Mum, its Aunt Grace. Probably calling to tell me what a terrible cousin I am.”*
*”Answer it. Be reasonable.”*
*”Fine,”* Elsie muttered. *”Ill call you later.”*
She braced herself as she picked up.
*”Hello, Aunt Grace?”*
*”Darling!”* A sickly sweet voice. *”Hows my sunshine?”*
Elsie cringed. *”Sunshine.”* That nickname never meant anything good.
*”Im alright.”*
*”Lucy mentioned some misunderstandings between you?”*
Elsie rolled her eyes. *”Misunderstandings.”* Right.
*”Aunt Grace, you said two weeks. A month, tops.”*
*”Counting days like a solicitor!”* A forced laugh. *”Family doesnt do that.”*
*”What does family do, then?”* Elsies temper flared. *”Steal my things? Invite randoms over when Im out?”*
*”Oh, Lucys just sociable, she”*
*”Shes used to everyone fixing her messes. My parents bought your share. It was a gift to me.”*
*”Not exactly,”* Aunt Graces voice iced over. *”Its the family estate. Your mother and I agreed”*
*”That youd sell your share to my parents. At market price.”*
*”Always money with you!”* Hysteria crept in. *”What about Lucys baby? Have you thought where shell go?”*
*”Shes got a boyfriend. The father, incidentally.”*
*”That deadbeat! He bolted to Manchester when he heard.”*
*”I wonder why,”* Elsie thought, then said, *”You and Uncle George have a three-bed. Why cant she stay with you?”*
A telling pause.
*”Its complicated. George works from home. Besides, you two get on so well! Itd be good practice for youmotherhood, you know.”*
Elsie nearly laughed. Lucy, the eternal child, while she, *”the responsible one,”* always had to bend.
*”Im done. She needs to leave.”*
*”What?!”* Aunt Grace shrieked. *”Shes pregnant! Youll stress her into a miscarriage!”*
Elsie bit back curses. The ultimate guilt weapon.
*”Im not throwing her out tonight. Shes got a month to”*
*”Im calling your mother! This is outrageous! After all weve done for you!”*
The line went dead. Elsies hands shook.
The front door slammed. Heels clicked.
*”Ellie!”* A syrupy voice. *”Guess who I ran into? Katie from school! Married some tech blokeher rings to die for!”*
Lucy flounced in, tanned, manicured, designer jeans. Not a trace of distress.
*”Hey, lets rearrange the lounge, yeah?”* She flopped onto the sofa. *”Couch by the window? And well need space for the baby”*
Elsie stared, her last thread of patience snapping.
*”Lucy. We need to talk.”*
*”Not now, kay?”* Lucy waved a hand. *”Headache. Bloody hormones. Im off to nap.”*
*”Lucy.”* Elsies voice sharpened. *”Youre leaving.”*
Lucy blinked.
*”What?”*
*”Youve got a month to find somewhere.”*
*”Youyoure joking.”* Lucys smile faltered. *”This is our familys place! Ive got as much right as you!”*
*”No. My parents bought the share. Legally, its mine.”*
*”Familys above the law!”* Lucys voice cracked. *”Im pregnant!”*
*”Youve got parents. A boyfriend. Friends.”*
*”Im calling Mum!”* Lucy yanked out her phone.
*”Dont bother. Shes already called.”*
Lucys eyes narrowed. *”Aunt Grace and Mum will sort this. Youll regret it!”*
The door slammed.
Elsie gazed out the window. Instead of guilt, weary relief settled over her.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Mum: *”Aunt Grace is devastated. Whatve you done?”*
Without replying, she opened her browser: *”Flats to rent in Bristol.”*
Three months later. Elsie sipped coffee at a café near the harbour, Jamesher London-born partneropposite her.
*”No regrets?”* he asked.
*”Only that I didnt do it sooner.”*
Her phone rang. Dad.
*”Hi, Dad.”*
*”News. We sold the flat.”*
*”Nans place? But”*
*”Lucy moved back with Grace.”* He chuckled dryly. *”After you left, she tried squatting, but Weve had enough. The moneys yours.”*
*”Mine?”*
*”Yes. It was your gift. Sorry we didnt back you sooner.”*
Tears pricked her eyes.
*”I Thank you.”*
*”Be happy. Were proud. Even when we didnt show it.”*
Hanging up, she watched snowShe squeezed James’s hand, watching the snowflakes melt against the café window, finally free to write her own story.
