Im not cooking for everyone anymore! Just for me and Annie.
Why on earth not? snapped Nicholas.
Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So live with it!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? burst in Hannah, barging into the bedroom without knocking. Im going to be late for school!
Nina tried to sit up, but her head swam. The thermometer read 38.5. Her throat burned, her chest rattled with every breath.
Hannah, Im poorly Grab something from the fridge.
Theres nothing in there! Just yoghurts for the little one! Her daughter stood arms crossed in the doorway. Its always about her!
From the nursery came a wail. Annie had woken up. Nina forced herself to stand, legs wobbling, her vision blurring.
Nina, wheres my shirt? Nicholas called from the bathroom. The blue striped one?
Should be in the wardrobe
Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?
Nina leaned against the wall. Shed spent all day yesterday with a fever, looking after the baby.
No, didnt get round to it.
Brilliant! Ive got a meeting! He slammed the bathroom door in frustration.
Annies cries grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery, scooped her up. The little girl clung to her, sniffling.
Mum! Hannah shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!
Moneys on the table. Buy something on your way.
Im not stopping at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, its your job to feed us!
Nina said nothing, trudging to the kitchen with Annie in her arms. She pulled some frozen burgers from the freezer, slapped a pan on the hob.
And make pasta! Hannah commanded, eyes glued to her phone.
While breakfast cooked, Nicholas emerged from the bedroom in a crumpled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like Ive been sleeping rough. Cheers for that.
Nina stayed silent. Talking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.
Emilys birthdays today, Hannah announced, heaping pasta onto her plate. Ill be at hers after school. Back late.
Hannah, I feel awful. Could you stay and help with your sister?
Yeah, right! Ive been waiting months for this party! And I never asked for a sisterthats your problem!
She snatched her bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Nicholas finished his breakfast, scrolling through his phone.
Nick, could you come home early? Im really not well.
Cant. Work drinks after. You know how it is.
But Im ill
Take something. Paracetamol or whatever. Youre not bedridden. Tough it out.
He pecked her sweaty forehead and left.
Nina was alone with her three-year-old. Annie demanded attention, food, play. Nina moved on autopilot, feeling her strength drain.
By lunch, her fever hit 39. She managed to feed the child, tucked her in for a nap, then collapsed on the sofa. Her head pounded; her heart raced.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Hannah: Mum, send money for Emilys present. Now!
Nina didnt reply. She couldnt even lift the phone.
Nicholas was the first home that evening, tipsy, swinging a carrier bag.
Got some beers and crisps! Match is on! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Nick, feed Annie, please. I cant get up.
That bad? He finally looked at her. Whyre you so red?
High fever. All day
Well, call an ambulance if its that bad. Wheres Annie?
In bed. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill feed her. When she wakes up.
Annie stirred half an hour later, crying for Mum. Nicholas reluctantly tore himself from the TV, picked her up.
Whatre you crying for? Come to Dad!
But the toddler squirmed, wailing louder. Nicholas panicked.
Nina, she wants you!
Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And some juice.
Where? I cant find anything!
She forced herself up. The room spun; she grabbed the wall for balance. Nina fetched the biscuit, poured juice into a sippy cup. Annie quietened a little.
Hannah rolled in past midnight. Nina was still awakethe fever kept her up.
Why didnt you reply?! Hannah started before the door shut. I had to borrow money from Emilys mum! So embarrassing!
Hannah, Ive had a fever all day
So? Couldnt pick up your phone? Two seconds!
Next morning, Nina woke to Nicholas shaking her shoulder.
Nina, get up! Ive got work, and Annies screaming!
The fever had broken, but weakness lingered. Nina rose, dressed Annie.
What about breakfast? he asked.
Sort yourself out. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Me? I cant cook! No time!
Youll learn.
Something in her tone silenced him. He grumbled and headed to the kitchen.
When Nina returned, the house was a mess: dirty dishes, scattered clothes, unmade beds. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today.
She showered, drank tea, and went back to bed.
That evening, the family gathered for dinner. Or rather, an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Hannah asked.
Dunno. Whatever you make.
What? Her eyes widened.
Exactly. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.
Why the hell not? Nicholas snapped.
Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So live with it!
Nina, whats got into you? He tried to hug her, but she stepped back.
Im done being a servant! Yesterday proved Im just free staff to you lot.
Mum, I said sorry! Hannah lied.
No, you didnt. Neither did Dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Hannah huffed. So we just starve now?
Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Cook.
The first week was chaos. Hannah threw tantrums; Nicholas slammed doors. Nina held firmcooking, washing, and cleaning only for herself and Annie.
Mum, my jeans are filthy! Everythings dirty! Hannah wailed.
Washing machines right there. Powders under the sink.
I dont know how!
Youll learn. Instructions are on the lid.
Nicholas wore wrinkled shirts to work, ate at cafés. Their savings dwindled.
Nina, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!
Cook at home. Cheaper.
I cant!
YouTubes right there. Millions of recipes.
The house descended into squalor. Nina saw it all but didnt intervenejust kept the nursery tidy.
Two weeks in, Hannah attempted pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itended up with mush.
Mum, help!
No. Learn.
Youre my mum! Youre supposed to!
Im obligated to care for minors. Cooking you gourmet meals isnt in the job description. Bread, milk, cerealyou wont starve.
Nicholas tried scrambled eggs. Burnt them. Tried againedible this time.
Look, Nina! I made eggs!
She nodded and returned to her book. No praise. No fuss.
By week three, the flat was a tip. Hannah sobbed over a mountain of laundry.
Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!
You were home all yesterday. Couldve done it then.
I was doing homework!
I work from home, cook, clean up after Annie, take her to the park. Still manage.
Youre the adult!
And you want adult privileges? Staying out late, pocket money? Then act like one.
By months end, they cracked. Hannah learned to wash, cook basics, tidy. Nicholas mastered eggs, pasta, even simple soup.
One evening, Nina returned from the park with Annie. The kitchen table was set, dinner ready. Nicholas and Hannah stood sheepishly.
Mum, we made dinner, Hannah mumbled. I did salad, Dad roasted chicken.
Thanks, Nina said calmly.
Mum, were sorry, Hannah whispered. We didnt get it how hard it is for you.
Nina, we
