A Nanny for My Brother
Whats wrong, Julia? Still not replying?
Shes not! Not a word from her since six oclock! Julia slammed her mobile down on the kitchen countertop. Because of her I didnt go to Mums Theres dinner to sort here, dinner for Gran, and I couldnt leave Sam with anyone So much for raising a little helper!
Just then, the front doors lock clicked.
Oh, youre all still awake? Clara stood in the doorway, headphones on, barely glancing at her parents before heading straight to her room.
But Mum was having none of it.
Clara! Stop right there! Mums sharp tone brought her to a halt, though Clara didnt bother to turn round. Where do you think youre off to? Youre what? Six hours late? Care to explain yourself?
Clara slowly removed her headphones.
Whats with all the drama?
You promised! Julias voice shook with disappointment. You promised youd watch Sam!
Dreaming of nothing more than collapsing into bed, Clara muttered, Well, things changed. No ones dead. You were at home.
I told you what would happen, a full week in advance! Your dads on the late shift, he cant make it, and I needed to visit Mum. You dont care about your brother, your gran, or even your own mum!
But Clara, truth be told, had simply lost track of time at her friends flat after a round of spontaneous drinks. She forgot everything, including her promise.
She justified it to herself it wasnt as though her phone had died; shed simply turned it off.
I said Id help, Mum, but then plans changed.
Let me smell your breath, Mum demanded sternly.
What is this now, prison rules? Clara shot back.
Youve been drinking, Mum stated matter-of-factly. Partying is clearly more important than your own family.
Claras temper flared.
Yes, it is! I never signed up to be a nanny. If you fancied playing parents in old age, thats your affair. Ive got my own life.
Their father, who in all her years had never raised his voice at Clara, finally spoke up. Were not making you a nanny, Clara. We rarely ask you for anything! But tonight was important, and you agreed You were six hours late, you switched off your phone, and now you blame us?
Im not blaming anyone, but Sam is your child. I was out, like all my friends. Why shouldnt I?
The truth was, the family never loaded Clara with housework. Shed only just left school, now studying at a respected London university in a demanding field they understood, even pampered her.
But Clara rarely spared a thought for anyone else.
You want to know whats worse? Mum snapped. Because of you, I couldnt see your gran. She cant even cook for herself! I cant keep splitting myself between a three-year-old and my ill mother!
Standing at the mirror, untangling an elaborate braid her friend had put in, Clara replied coldly, Thats your problem, Mum. You wanted another child so late in life. Deal with it. I dont owe you anything.
It was so spiteful, even Dad flinched.
Clara, thats enough!
Why, though? Im studying. I should have friends, meet new people, even look for a future husband! Im not sitting around at home, babysitting Sam for you!
Dad set her down on a kitchen chair. Just listen, Clara No ones asking you to do this all the time. We asked for one favour not a job, just help for the family. You agreed.
Clara had started down this road and wouldnt back down now. I agreed, but then my plans changed. Life happens.
Life happens, but you didnt even let us know, Dad replied evenly. I understand youre busy. I understand you want to have fun. But you are part of this family, Clara. Were not locking you away. Still, sometimes we need help. Could you give us a few hours a week to watch Sam? So we could get out, see a doctor or like today, visit Granny?
Clara didnt let him finish. She rolled her eyes and pins dropped from her hair as she flipped her head.
No.
Why?
Because that isnt my responsibility, Dad. I wont sacrifice my life for your decisions.
Inside, Clara braced herself for the blow-up. She was sure her parents would lay into her now
Fine then, Dad said quietly, unexpectedly calm. I hear you.
Wait. He heard her? No shouting? No threats about when were gone youll remember and regret?
Is that it? Clara asked.
Yes. Thats all for today.
Slightly dazed by how easily shed been dismissed, Clara headed for the bathroom to scrub off her makeup. Then she went off to bed, exhausted and cross at her parents for making a fuss.
But her parents, in their room, hadnt finished the conversation.
How can she be so heartless, Andrew? Julia asked, not angrily, but with sadness. We raised her like any normal child. Never withheld, never banned things without cause, never tyrannised her! Yet it feels she doesnt care about us at all What do we do, beg her to babysit her brother now?
No, said Andrew, shaking his head. We wont beg. If she believes she owes us nothing, then we owe her nothing too. At least until she starts to grasp what grown-up life is all about.
***
The next morning started not with the smell of coffee, but the heavy feeling that last nights quarrel lingered on.
Clara was the first to reach the kitchen. She drank some water and nibbled on the dry sandwiches stored in the fridge from the night before. Mum came in, carrying Sam. Clara buried herself in her phone to avoid any lecture, but Mum ate in silence. Dad arrived, greeted her with, Good morning, and opened a notebook where he tracked the family finances.
Clara, we need a word.
She groaned.
Again about my responsibility? Ive already told you
No, not just that, he interrupted, Actually, more about money. From this month, well need your share for food and bills. As in, your fair contribution, Clara.
She laughed, thinking it was some awkward joke a bit of morning payback for last nights argument. Fair enough; she had needled them in the evening.
Very funny, Dad. But Im not falling for that.
But Dad was ready.
Its no joke, Clara. From today, youre responsible for your own expenses. All of them.
Even little Sam, cheeks puffed out over his porridge, stared at his father. Sam might not understand household costs just yet, but the tone was unmistakable.
What? Clara croaked.
You said you owe us nothing. Very well you wont depend on us for daily things any longer. This month, you pay your own share for food, your part of the gas and electricity, and most importantly your tuition.
Now she realised he meant it. This wasnt a wind-up; they really were that hurt.
Dad, listen to yourself. Fine, dont feed me if you like. But my degree? Thats sacrosanct. Youd never let me drop out. You couldnt help but pay, I know you.
I can, he replied. Youre nineteen, an adult. Adults pay their way. We always said wed help you so long as youre studying here and living with us, but that support was based on mutual respect and a willingness to be part of the familys life. You said you refused. So youre also refusing our support, in every sense.
Julia, abandoning the effort to feed the little one, shot her husband a worried look: are we going too far?
Clara, cheese in hand, slammed it back onto her plate and, standing abruptly, snapped, Well, I wont eat wouldnt want to rack up any debts, would I?
The rest finished their meal in silence. Clara got dressed, rattling every hanger and handle in her room for effect, and stormed off to her classes still covered by last terms tuition, at least for now.
Have we gone too far? Julia asked quietly.
Andrew chewed a piece of cheddar, though it stuck in his throat. After a pause, he answered, No, Julia. Not a bit. The law is clear now shes legally an adult. Let her pay her way, however hard it is. Better this than letting her think its right to live off others forever.
Now, Clara was rarely at home. She left early, returned late, and never so much as touched a dinner plate. Julia, though Andrew warned her not to coddle, tried to ask if Clara was starving, only to meet a sullen stare.
Then, by chance, Clara picked up some hours at a local café, covering a mate’s shift. The friend then quit, and soon Clara was carrying trays four hours each evening after lectures. The money was meagre, but it was hers.
Her parents fretted but held their ground.
Shes not even coming home for supper any more, Andy. She must be starving. Maybe weve pushed her too far
Shell get over it, Andrew replied. Shell come to see families help each other shes just trying to prove her pride. Once shes calmed down, shell see.
And, sure enough, by the third month of this standoff, Clara finally said, Alright, youve won. I cant keep working after classes for peanuts Im willing to watch Sam, a few times a week, three hours at a go. Lets call it my job. You win. Heres what I managed to save for the flat.
She placed fifty pounds on the table all she could manage. The parents didnt take a penny.
Clara we never meant to hurt you, said Mum, her voice gentle. Were not blackmailers. Weve always cared for you, not because the law says so, but because youre our daughter and we love you. Please, give us something back not money, but yourself. Help out sometimes.
I understand, I do Im sorry, she whispered, tears welling up as she wrapped her parents in her arms.
Looking back, the lesson stung at the time, but I know it did us all good. I understand that now.
