“Either you let my brother move into your flat, or pack your things and get out!” snapped James.
Emily had stayed late at worktwo extra hoursthanks to two new clients who booked her after glowing recommendations.
“We only want you, Emily! You’re hands down the best hairdresser in town!” Those words had her smiling the whole way home.
Maybe it really was time to take the leap and open her own salon. Enough waiting for “the right moment.”
Lost in thought, Emily barely noticed the walk home. But as she stepped into the hallway, unfamiliar voices drifted from the flat. She pushed the door open and froze. A scuffed rucksack was dumped in the hall, muddy trainers kicked off by the door, and the sharp reek of booze hung in the air.
“Em, look whos back! Its Liam!” James called from the kitchen, grinning in a way that didnt reach his eyes.
His younger brother slouched on the kitchen sofa, staring blankly at the tablethe same Liam whod vanished four years ago with some dancer from a nightclub.
“Hey,” Liam muttered, not even looking up.
“Mum, whos that?” whispered Lily, fresh back from dance class.
“Thats your Uncle Liam, Dads brother,” Emily kept her voice steady. “You were too little to remember him.”
“Whys he so weird?”
“Go to your room, love. Well talk later.”
Emily locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The woman in the mirror looked exhausted. She ran a hand through her rootsdefinitely needed a touch-upbut right now, her mind was elsewhere.
Four years ago, when Liam left, James had barely spoken to his parents for a month, blaming them for driving his brother away. Then, as if hed shrugged it off, he stopped mentioning Liam entirely. But tonight, everything had changed.
James followed her into the bedroom, hesitating before murmuring, “Hes staying with us. Just for a bit. Hes in a bad wayhis wife cheated, they split. He cant face Mum and Dad.”
“And you decided that without asking me?” Emily whirled around. “Do you even hear how selfish that sounds?”
“What was there to discuss? Hes my brother. Hes got nowhere else.”
“James, we have a teenage daughter. Have you seen the state hes in? You think its okay for her to see that?”
“Thats why he needs us. Family sticks together,” James met her eyes properly for the first time all evening. “You know I cant turn my back on him.”
“How long?”
“As long as it takes. He needs to get back on his feet.”
“And what about Lily? Have you thought about her at all?”
“Em, enough!” His voice rosesomething he never did. “Hes my brother. My little brother. I wont leave him hanging.”
Emily opened her mouth but stopped. There was something in his tone shed never heard before. Fourteen years together, and this was new.
“Fine,” she turned to the window. “But he doesnt drink here. And he finds a job.”
James left without another word. Through the wall, she heard him murmuring to Liam in the kitchentoo quiet for her to catch.
The clock ticked past midnight before the flat finally fell silent. Emily lay awake, listening to Jamess footsteps as he shuffled Liam into the living room.
“Itll be okay,” he whispered, slipping into bed. But Emily wasnt so sure anymore.
***
Morning brought the stench of stale booze in the kitchen. Emily made Lilys breakfast in silence, ignoring the empty bottles and overflowing ashtray.
A month in, and their home had become a 24-hour pub for two.
“Mum, off to school,” Lily muttered, sidestepping her snoring uncle, her bag clutched tight. Lately, shed been staying out morejoining clubs, crashing at friends.
Emily watched her dart out, fury simmering. This “temporary guest” had dismantled everything theyd built: family dinners, movie nights, Lilys trust.
“Morning,” James strode in, already suited up. “Coffee left?”
“Yesterdays. In the pot,” she nodded. “We need to talk.”
“Not now, Im late,” he grimaced at the cold sludge in his mug.
“When, then? Youre always late. Evenings, youre glued to Liam.”
He paused at the door. “Whatre you getting at?”
“That we cant keep bankrolling a grown man. Its not right!”
“Hes depressed, Em. Cant you see hes shattered?”
“And what about us? Lily barely comes home. Youve changedits like I dont know you anymore.”
James set the mug down. “Tonight. Well talk properly.”
“No. Now.” She blocked the door. “I want Liam gone in a week. He can rent a place, get a jobI dont care. But not here.”
“Youre serious?” Jamess eyes narrowed. “Youd chuck my own brother out?”
“Im saying were not a free B&B! He hasnt even tried!”
“He needs time! Its obvious!”
“How much? A year? Forever?” Her voice cracked. “Do you even see what this is doing to us?”
“And do you see hes family too? I wont abandon him like Mum and Dad didnot even for you!”
“So thats your choice?” Tears spilled over.
“Its not a choice, Em. Its duty. You just refuse to get it.”
He left, the door clicking softly behind him. Liams snores rumbled from the sofa. Emily sank onto a chair, staring at Jamess abandoned coffee.
He used to kiss her goodbye every morning.
***
Days passed in silence. Emily left early, came home late. James pretended not to notice, too busy playing pub landlord with Liam.
Lily tiptoed around them, met with snapped “Were fine, sweetheart”s.
At night, Emily lay awake, catching fragments from the kitchen: “She doesnt get it family comes first too soft on her”
***
Friday, James came home early. Liam was passed out; Lily had music blasting in her room.
Emily stirred soup on autopilotcooking always calmed her.
“Sorted it,” James leaned in the doorway. “Compromise. Liam can stay at your flat.”
Her ladle froze. That flat was her safety nether nans legacy, bought before theyd married. Hers alone.
“Its rented,” she said evenly.
“So? Give notice. Theyll find somewhere.”
“James! Theyve got kids. A lease. Im not doing that.”
“Fine. Liam stays here. End of.” He shrugged. “Your call.”
She wiped her hands slowly. “Youd really kick out a paying family for him?”
“Got a better idea? You wanted him out.”
“I wanted him to grow up! Get a job, pay rentnot mooch off us!”
“Hes depressed!”
“Or just lazy?”
Jamess fist slammed the table. “Dont you dare”
Emily cut in, eerily calm. “I get it now. This isnt just helping him. Its your choice.”
He blinked. “Whatre you?”
“Dinners ready. Call Liam.”
Baffled, James left. The second he was gone, Emily pulled out her phone.
“Hi, Sarah. That solicitor you mentioned? I need them. Now.”
Behind Lilys door, pop music still played. Emily pressed her forehead to the cool wood.
“Itll be okay, baby,” she whispered. “Mums got this.”
***
Three weeks flew by. Emily took extra shifts, signed up for courses.
Lily stayed at her grans”revising for exams.”
James didnt protest. The flat became a lads denfootball, takeaways, laughter she wasnt part of.
Every morning, shed find evidence of their nights: bottles, pizza boxes, stubbed-out fags in mugs.
James kissed Liams head before work now. Not her.
Then, one evening, he burst in, beaming.
“Good news!” he announced. “Liams moving out!”
Emily nearly dropped her tea. “Really?”
“Yep! Said hes done sponging. Found some cash-in-hand work, even!”
“Thats brilliant,” hope flickered. Maybe she wouldnt need
“Just one thing,” James plonked onto a chair. “Hell need help settling. Ring your tenants tomorrow, yeah? Months notice. Well throw em a grand for the hassle.”
Her hope died. “We talked about this. No.”
“But its different now! Hes trying!”
“No, James.” She stood firm. “If he wants independence, he rents like everyone else.”
