These arent my children. If you want to help your sister, go ahead, but dont do it at my expense. She broke up her marriage and now is pushing her kids onto us while she sorts out her own life.
What a lovely house youve made for yourselves, little brother. Im actually a bit jealous.
Joanna ran her hand along the tablecloth, surveying the kitchen with the air of a critic. Alice placed a salad bowl on the table and sat across from her husband. Stan grinned at his sister, oblivious to the way his wife clenched her napkin in her fist.
We really put in the effort. It took six months before we found a good spot.
Theyd sold their flat to move here, closer to Stans relatives, settling in a quiet town outside Oxford. Their own garden patch, their own vegetables, and the kind of peace Alice had dreamed about for three years. Two months ago, it finally became real.
I couldnt keep my family together, Joanna sighed, eyes downcast. Three months since the split, but it still feels like some grey fog. I wake up and theres no one next to me. The kids keep asking where their dad is. I dont know what to say anymore.
Their mother, Margaret Evans, sitting at the head of the table, reached over to comfort her daughter.
Itll get better, darling. The main thing is the children are well. That man will regret leaving, mark my words.
At that moment, four-year-old Daniel, Stans nephew, wriggled off his chair and charged into the living room. Seconds later came a crashsomething had fallen from the shelf.
Daniel! Be careful! Joanna called, not leaving her seat.
Three-year-old Emily, perched on her mothers lap, started to whimper for attention. Joanna distractedly bounced her, continuing their conversation:
At least you two are close by now. Mums barely up and about after her operation. No one else to lend a hand.
Just about got me over in a taxi, chimed in Margaret, rubbing her knee. Fourth floor, no liftmy blood pressures up and down. By the time I climbed the stairs, I felt faint. Im in no shape to look after grandchildren.
Alice stood up to fetch the main course. On the windowsill stood trays of young tomato plantsher first attempt at growing her own vegetables. In another month, she could finally plant them out. The very first tomatoes shed ever grown.
I hope you wont mind if I leave the kids with you sometimes? Joannas voice reached Alice at the cooker. Only in emergencies, I promise. I need to get a job, sort out solicitors about the divorce, and see the doctor. What else can I do, with the children?
Alice turned round. Joanna was watching her brother with that same delicate helplessness Alice had come to recognise all too well. Twenty-seven years old, but still playing as if by script.
Stan nodded, looking at his sister with empathy.
Of course, Jo. Well help, no question. Right, Al?
Everyone looked at herthree pairs of eyes, waiting.
Yes, of course, Alice replied. If youre really stuck.
Joannas face lit up.
Youre absolute lifesavers! Honestly, I wont be long, just a couple of hours, tops.
The guests left close to eleven. Stan ordered a taxi for his mum and helped her down the front stepsshe gasped at every one, gripping the railing tightly. Joanna bundled her sleepy kids into the battered old Ford and drove off, shouting from the window, Thanks for everything, youre the best!
Alice tidied up, stacking the plates in the sink. Stan hugged her from behind and kissed the top of her head.
See? Lovely evening. Mums content, Jos cheered up. Moving here was the right choice.
Sure.
Are you tired?
A bit.
Alice didnt say what was really troubling her. If youre really stuckshe couldnt shake the phrase. She knew all too well how that turned into every day, because its just easier.
A week later, Joanna called in the morning.
Alice, I need a huge favour. Ive got a last-minute appointment, and Mum cant do it with the kids. Honestly, just three hours, Ill pick them up at lunchtime.
Alice glanced at her laptop and the spreadsheet of the quarterly report. The client wanted it in by Friday.
Jo, Ive got a deadline for work
Theyre really easy, honestly! Just pop on the telly and theyll be fine. Please, Al, I really need the help.
Thirty minutes later, the kids were at her house. Lunchtime came and went, no Joanna. Then evening began to creep in quietly.
Stan walked in from work at six, poked his head into the sitting room, and saw the kids glued to the telly.
Oh, Jo not back yet?
Nope. Promised lunchtime, now says shes running late.
Never mind, he shrugged, pulling out a bottle of ale from the fridge. Theyre not total strangers, Al. Let them stay.
Alice said nothing. Daniel had already managed to spill juice all over the carpet, and Emily was out of nappiesthered only been one in the bag.
Joanna finally arrived after eight, fresh-faced, cheerful, and smelling of coffee.
Sorry, the time got away from me. Thank you so much, honestly, you saved my life!
Alice worked on her report until three in the morning, struggling to keep her thoughts together, her head buzzing from the childrens squabbles.
Four days lateranother call. A job interview, this time, really important. Joanna brought the kids at nine, promised to be back by three. Stan was home that day, catching up on sleep after a night shift. He surfaced around midday.
They still here?
As you see.
Well, fine. He made himself tea and flicked on the football. Dont worry about itIm here.
He was herewatching the match in the sitting room while Alice chased between the laptop and the children. Twice Daniel came to him, Uncle Stan, can you play?and both times got Later, mate, Im watching the game.
Joanna appeared at eight to collect them.
By the end of week three, it was a routine: three, sometimes four times a week. Appointments, solicitors, interviews, meeting friends. A couple of hours always stretched into evening.
One night, after the kids had gone, Alice sat across from her husband.
Stan, this cant go on.
What cant?
Three times a week. I cant get my work done.
He frowned.
Shes in a bad way, Al. Husband left her, shes alone with two kids. Were family.
I know. But she promises lunch, and shows up at ten at night. Thats not help, its
Its what?
Alice wanted to say taking advantage and becoming a burden. She looked at her husband and kept quiet.
Mum rang today, Stan continued. Says Jo needs time. Shes still young, her lifes upended. Im her brotherits my job to help.
And me?
Youre my wife, he said, as if it was utterly self-explanatory. Were one family.
Alice stared out the dark window at her seedlings, stretching on the sill, waiting to be planted. Shed meant to plant them on Saturday.
No point arguing.
On Friday evening, Stan returned home and announced at the door,
Jo called. Wants us to have the kids tomorrow. Two interviews lined up, plus her cars playing upshes taking it to the garage.
Alice put her laptop aside, looked at her husband.
Stan, weve already talked about this. I cant give up every weekend.
Oh, come on, he said, tossing his jacket on a chair and moving to the fridge. Shes my sister. Is it really that hard? Youre at home anyway.
I work from home. Thats not the same as just sitting in.
Just get on with your work while they watch cartoons. Whats the big deal?
Alice wanted to protest, but saw his tired, irritable face and let it go. Tomorrow was Saturday. Shed planned to finally get her tomatoes in the groundthey were ready to be planted.
All right, she sighed. Let her bring them.
Joanna showed up at nearly eleven. Alice opened the door and froze. Stans sister stood there in a new dress, her hair styled, made up as if heading for a date, not a job interview.
Thank you so much, youre lifesavers! Joanna shepherded Daniel and Emily into the hallway. Ill pick them up by fivesix at the latest.
Jo, the bag?
Oh, in the car! Be right back.
A minute later, she dumped the half-full nappy bag into Alices hands.
Nappies, change of clothes, all sorted! Gotta run, Im late!
The door banged shut. Alice stood there, alone with two kids and a nearly empty bag. Stan was out in the garage, fiddling with the car, helping a neighbour.
By lunchtime, Daniel was bored of cartoons and started dashing around the house. Emily whined for snacks, drinks, cuddles. Alice flitted between the kitchen and the children, desperately trying to cobble lunch together.
At two, Stan poked his head inside.
Hows it going?
Fine, Alice wiped her hands on her apron. Can you keep an eye on them? I need to put the seedlings out before its too late.
Yeah, just let me wash up.
She headed to the garden, pulled out her seedlings, set up the tools. She knelt, digging little holes for the young tomato plants shed tended for months. Ten minutes latercrash, followed by a cry.
Alice dropped her trowel and ran for the house.
In the sitting room, Stan lounged on the sofa with his phone. Daniel stood among shards of what had been a clay plant pot, soil across the floor and crushed tomato stalks scattered everywherethose same seedlings she hadnt yet planted out.
What happened?
He climbed onto the windowsill, Stan didnt even look up from his phone. I didnt get to him in time.
Alice stared at the earth on the floor, at the delicate ruined green stems. Two months shed watched over those plants. Now they were nothing.
Auntie Alice, are you cross? Daniel looked up at her fearfully.
No, she said quietly, kneeling to gather up the pieces. Go to Uncle Stan.
Finally Stan put the phone down.
Come on, its only a few tomato seeds. Youll grow some more.
Alice said nothing. Her throat was tight. It wasnt just seedlings. It was her dream of a life on her own terms, postponed again for someone elses children.
Joanna didnt arrive by five. At six, only a text: Running a bit late. At sevennothing. By eight, Alice called, but the phone was off.
At last, outside, the rumble of an engine. Alice looked out: an expensive black Land Rover pulled up by the gate.
The door swung open, and out stepped Joanna: flushed, happy, a bit unsteady on her heels. A man in his forties sat behind the wheel in a leather jacket.
Thanks, Alex! she waved. Catch up soon!
The car drove off. Joanna turned, saw Alice at the doorstep.
Oh, hi! Sorry Im late. Ran into an old mate after the interview, he gave me a lift.
Alice caught the scentwine and something sweet, a liqueur or cocktail. Thered been no interview, no car in any garage. Joanna had just dumped the children and gone off to enjoy herself.
How did the interview go? Alice said, voice even.
What? Oh, fine. Theyll call me back, they said.
And the garage?
Joanna hesitated a second.
Booked it in for next week. Long waiting list.
Liesshe didnt even blush.
By the way, Joanna said, scrolling through her phone, are you free on Wednesday? Ive got another interview.
No.
The word came out hard, sure. Joanna looked up.
What do you mean, no?
Exactly that. Im not free on Wednesday.
But why? Youre always at home
I work from home. I have my own plans.
Joannas face changedlips started to tremble, eyes brightened.
Alice, surely you understand how difficult this is. Me, on my own with two kids. I just thought you and Stan would support me. Youre all I have. Cant you manage even a single day
I am supporting you. Ive been helping out for three weeks now. But Im not a nursery, Jo.
Whats got into you? Joannas voice became sharp. Its not the end of the world, looking after your own niece and nephew! Theyre not strangers to you.
Theyre not mine, Alice was surprised by her own calm. Theyre your children, Joanna. Your responsibility.
Stan appeared at the door. Hed caught the end of the exchange, his face dark.
Whats happening here?
Joanna turned to her brother, tears threatening.
Stan, your wife doesnt want to help me. Im asking for just one day and she
Joanna sniffled, pressing a hand to her chest.
You all know what Im going through. I hoped at least my own family would be there. But apparently not
She trailed off and headed to the car. At the door, she turned back.
You should try being kinder, Alice. Kinder.
She silently called for a cab. While she waited, she sat outside, eyes on the ground, not looking at Alice. Then she gathered her drowsy children and left, not saying goodbye.
Alice stood on the porch, something unpleasant prickled inside herguilt or shame, maybe. Was she really too harsh?
Stan watched Joanna leave, then turned to his wife.
Did you have to do that?
Do what?
She was asking nicely. And you He trailed off and went inside.
For a week it was quiet. Then Stan came home and from the hallway called:
Jo rang. Another important interview. Cant you help just this once? Dont be so difficult.
Stan, weve already
This is the last time. I promise. If she pulls the same stunt, Ill deal with it myself.
Alice looked at him. He was exhausted and torncaught between his wife and his sister.
All right. Just this once.
The next morning, Joanna swept in, hurriedly hugging her children.
Thank you, thank you, Im in a rush, theyre expecting me already!
The door slammed. Alice was left with Daniel and Emily.
By lunchtime, as she checked her phone for emails, a photo slid byJoannas new social media post. There she was in a cafe, surrounded by people with glasses of wine, a mans arm draped over her shoulders. Caption: Catching up with old friends! Missed normal life so much.
Posted twenty minutes ago.
Alice stared at the image, everything clicking into place. No interviews, no appointments. Joanna was simply offloading her children and living it up. Perhaps her ex-husband wasnt such a villain after allmaybe hed just had enough.
She called Stan.
You come and look after your niece and nephew yourself.
Whats wrong? Stan sounded baffled. Im at work.
Then tell your mother to collect them. Im done.
Alice, whats going on?
Go look at your sisters social media. See where she is. Then we can talk.
Silence. Then a sigh.
All right. Ill get away early.
Stan arrived two hours later, glancing from the children to his wife.
I saw the photo, he said quietly.
And?
I dunno, maybe it really was classmates
Stan, she comes back tipsy every time. The last time she was dropped off by a bloke in a flash 4×4. Are you blind?
But theyre my niece and nephew, his voice rose. None of its their fault.
And its my fault? Alices anger finally burst out. Theyre not my children, Stan. Im not obliged to look after them. If you want to help your sister, do it yourselfbut not at my expense.
Shes my sister!
And your sister destroyed her own family. Now shes dumping her children on us while she goes out partying.
How can you say that?
Im saying it because its true. Every time shes lied about where she was. Ive had enough. Havent you?
Stan fell silent, rubbing his face with his hands.
All right, he muttered. I get it. Youve made yourself clear.
Joanna showed up late that night. The children were asleep under a blanket on the sofa. She started to explainthered been traffic, her phone had diedbut Stan stopped her.
No more, Jo.
No more what? she blinked.
Leaving the kids with us and vanishing all day. Were not a nursery.
Joanna gave Alice a look of cold comprehension.
Shes poisoned you against me.
No. Ive decided for myself.
Joanna snorted, scooped Daniel into her arms.
I see. Typical family.
She left, not a word of thanks. The door banged so hard the windows rattled.
In the morning, they sat in the kitchen, drinking tea. The phone rangMums name flashed on screen.
Stan answered.
Yes, Mum.
Alice could hear only snatches of Margarets brisk complaints from the speaker.
What do you mean you cant help your sister? You know I cant manage yet
Mum, we cant either. We have our own lives.
So thats it, then! Got a house and lost your sense of family! I see what youre like now.
Click. Silence.
Stan put the phone down, looking at Alice.
Shes upset.
I gathered.
They sat in silence. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the empty plant pot. Alice gazed at it and thought: a month ago theyd moved here for peace and quiet, for their own garden, for their own life. Instead, theyd inherited someone elses children, someone elses problems, and family who thought they owed them everything.
Stan placed his hand over hers.
Im sorry, he said softly. I should have put a stop to it sooner.
Alice didnt answer, just squeezed his fingers in hers. This wasnt some victoryher mother-in-law was cross, Joanna furious, and now months of silent warfare probably lay ahead. But for the first time in weeks, she felt relief, not exhaustion. Shed said no. And her husband had heard her.
The rest could wait.
