Grace, I just can’t anymoreSophie collapsed onto the kitchen chair, burying her face in her hands. Her fingers trembled, and her voice was laden with exhaustion. You have no idea what it’s like, shouldering everything alone. My back is fit to snap.
Grace set her mug of English breakfast tea down and studied her sister closely. Sophie looked drained, the shadows under her eyes etched deeper than usual, her blonde hair a messy ponytail thrown up in haste.
Sophie, what’s happened now?
It’s been two years since Patrick left. Two years! And I do everything: school runs, homework, clubs, cooking, cleaning, laundry. I feel like a hamster on a wheel. It’s all on me! And Charlotte’s getting mouthyargues over every little thing…
Grace frowned. Her ten-year-old niece had always seemed calm and thoughtfulnot the type to throw tantrums or mouth off.
Charlotte? Backchatting? That’s odd, with me she’s always
That’s because you only see her for a couple hours a month!Sophie threw her hands up.Try telling her every single day that she has to do the dishes straightaway, homework on time, no phone after midnight. She just ignores me.
But that’s normal kid stuff, isn’t it?
Normal?Sophie let out a bitter laugh.I don’t have the strength for normal anymore. I work all day, come home, cook, clean, collapse. Meanwhile, she stares at the ceiling and couldn’t care less. I’m done!
Grace fell silent. There were things she could sayplenty of mums cope with more, solo, with three kids sometimes. But arguing wouldn’t help, so she only nodded, putting on her best sympathetic expression.
Listen,Sophie suddenly perked up,youre free this weekend, arent you?
I think so, yes…
Could you take Charlotte for Saturday and Sunday? I need a breather. Thought Id visit my friend in Kent, enjoy some fresh air.
Of course!Grace brightened.Honestly, I’d love to. Well watch a film, go for a walk. Ive been meaning to have her over for ages.
Sophie smiled in relief, fishing her mobile from her handbag to call her daughter.
The weekend flew by. Charlotte was delightful company. Together they made homemade pizzaCharlotte rolled the dough and picked her own toppings. They watched cartoons sprawled on the sofa, walked in Hyde Park, fed the ducks by the serpentine. Grace saw no rudeness, no tantrums; just a regular, cheerful child.
Sunday evening, Grace dialled her sister. The ring tone echoedlonger, and longeruntil finally Sophie’s voice came on.
Yes?
Sophie, when are you coming for Charlotte? Were waiting for you.
A pause. Too long.
Grace, theres something I need to say…Sophie hesitated.Im not in London.
What do you mean? You were going to Kent. Thats a two-hour drive.
Im not in Kent. Im in Spain.
Grace thought she’d misheard.
Spain?!
Yes. Flew out yesterday morning. Ive got a friend hereIm staying for a month. I need a break, you understand?
You’re kidding, right?Grace gripped the table’s edge, teeth clenched.You flew to another country and left Charlotte with me? Without even warning me?
How could I have told you? Youd have said no!
Of course Id have said no! Are you insane? I have my job, my life, I can’t look after a child for a month! Do you realise what youve done?
Grace, dont be dramatic. You always say Charlottes an easy kid, no trouble. It’ll go quicka month will fly.
Are you serious?!Graces voice cracked, anger flooding out.How can you just dump your child and go off on holiday? You’re her mother!
I am a mother who hasnt had a day off in two years. I need this.
A month in Spain?!
Grace,Sophies tone turned icy,dont shout at me. What are you going to do? Throw Charlotte on the street? Ring social services?
The phone clicked off. Sophie ended the call.
Grace stared at her mobile, stunned. Her own sister had abandoned her daughter for a month of sunbathing and left her to cope, no discussion, no choice.
Charlotte peeked into the kitchen.
Aunt Grace, is Mum coming back soon?
Grace took a deep breath. Then another. She forced herself to smile.
Come here, Charlotte. We need to talk.
The girl perched on the kitchen stool, swinging her legs. Grace joined her.
Mums gone for a holiday. Could be a while. Youll stay with me for a bit, alright?
Charlotte shrugged.
Okay.
No tears, no fuss. Just acceptance. Grace wondered whether to feel relieved or worried.
Do you have the keys to your flat?
Charlotte nodded, producing a bunch with a cat-shaped keyring.
Right, lets go collect your things.
Sophies flat was spotless. Grace packed clothes, schoolbooks, Charlottes favourite toys. The child helped silently, folding everything neatly into the suitcase.
The first week was about finding a rhythm. Grace rearranged her work hours, negotiated some work-from-home days. Charlotte went to school, did her homework, joined Grace for dinner.
On the second week, Grace noticed something: Charlotte started helping around the house. Dusted, vacuumed, even cleaned the windows.
Charlotte, you dont have to do all that.
I want to,the girl answered, her gaze clear.You feed me, give me a home. It’s only fair.
Later, Charlotte asked to make salad for dinner. She chopped cucumbers unevenly and tomatoes thick and thin, but was careful. Grace praised the effort.
Mum never let me cook,Charlotte confessed, eyes lowered.Said Id do it wrong. Easier to do it herself.
Did you want to?
A lot. I wanted to clean too. But Mum would get angry, said I made more mess.
Grace remembered Sophies complaints: She sits there staring at the ceiling. Doesnt lift a finger. But Charlotte had never been given a chance to learn, to try, to get things wrong.
Dad let me,Charlotte said softly.He said everyone messes up the first pancake. We have to try.
Do you miss your dad?
Silence, then a nod.
Mum wont let us see him. Says hes bad. But hes not. Hes good. Just… he and Mum didnt get on.
Grace hugged her niece. Charlotte clung tightso small, so fragile.
Sophie didnt call once in three weeks. Not a word for her daughter. Grace sent photos, wrote messages. Replies came in quick bursts: Ok. Fine. Whatever.
One night, while lying awake, the solution came to Grace. The month would end soon; Sophied collect Charlotte and itd all start over. Back to the flat, the routine, under a mother who saw her daughter as a burden, not a child.
In the morning, Grace searched her phone. Found Patrickher sister’s ex-husband.
Hello?
Patrick, its Grace. Sophies sister.
Pause.
Grace? Is everything alright?
Charlottes with me. Nearly a month now. Sophies gone to Spainleft her here. No warning.
Long silence.
How is Charlotte?
Shes fine. But she misses you.
Can I come?
Of course.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Patrick stood on the steptall, worn, clutching a bouquet of daisies.
Dad!Charlotte leapt out from the living room, flew into his arms. Patrick caught her, pressing her close. His shoulders shook.
My darling… I missed you so much. Your mum wouldnt let…
I know, Dad. I know.
Grace stayed back, watching them. Father and daughterseparated not for Charlottes sake, but out of pride, stubbornness, a need for control.
When their embrace finally loosened, Grace came over.
Charlotte, I need to ask you somethingand I want the truth. Would you like to live with Dad?
Charlotte didnt hesitate.
Yes.
Grace turned to Patrick.
And you?
Ive dreamed of it since I left,he said quietly, looking at Charlotte.I love her. Always have. Sophie just… I couldnt cope. But I never gave up Charlotte. Sophie wouldnt allow me.
The next morning, Grace rang social services. Explained everything: her sister had abandoned her daughter for a month abroad. The father wanted custody.
It took a few days. Forms, signatures, interviews with a child psychologist. Charlotte insisted she wanted to live with her father. Patrick provided his payslips, details of his flat.
Within a week, Charlotte moved in with Patrick.
Grace visited often. Watched Charlotte blossomhelping her father in the kitchen, earning praise for every misshapen carrot, sharing jokes, listening to Patrick read her bedtime stories, even though she was all grown up.
Grace and Patrick became friendshe was calm, reasonable, without the anxious edge Sophie always carried. They drank tea together, discussed Charlottes grades, planned outings.
Sophie returned eventuallybronzed, relaxed, and smiling. That vanished quickly.
You gave my daughter away?!she shouted the moment she stepped inside.How dare you?
Me?Grace sipped her coffee calmly.I didnt give anyone away. You abandoned her.
I didnt abandon her! I left her for a bit!
For a month. You flew abroad without a word, didnt even check on her.
Shes my daughter!
Was. Now the court will decide.
Sophies face turned white.
What court?!
One to decide where Charlotte should live. Patricks applied. Hes got every chancegiven you left her here, unsupervised.
You…Sophie stammered with fury.You… traitor! You set me up, your own sister!
Your own sister who looked after your child while you lazed in the sun.Grace shrugged.You complained it was all too muchcooking, cleaning, laundry. Now youre free of problems.
Youll pay for this!
No, Sophie. You willin court. Start gathering paperwork and hire a solicitor. But youll struggle. Charlotte wants to live with her dad. And guess what? Get ready to pay child support.
Sophie stormed out, slamming the door.
Grace leaned back in her armchair. Her relationship with her sister was shatteredmaybe forever. But she didnt regret a thing. She still couldnt fathom how anyone could leave their child for a month, without a thought.
It was a lesson for Sophieactions have consequences. People arent here to be used and discarded.
And Charlotte? Charlotte was safe and happy now. That, Grace knew, was what mattered most.
