Everyone helps, but youre our special one
“Em, listen, couldnt you maybe come round tonight?” asked her sister hopefully down the phone. “Only, my husbands away, and its so dull being alone with the children.”
Emily rubbed her forehead, her mind spinning with possible excuses, each one sillier than the last. If she claimed urgent work, Charlotte wouldnt believe herit was Saturday. If she blamed tiredness, itd only bring questions, advice, and all-too-familiar lectures. She bit her lip, exhaling slowly as she readied her reply.
“Char, cant do it today,” Emily tried to sound as regretful as she could manage. “Hollys under the weather, so were staying in.”
There was a pause, a long sigh, and then Charlottes voice drifted over, stretched with disappointment.
“Such a shame,” she drawled. “We could have had a natter while the children played together”
Emily rolled her eyes, quietly relieved her sister couldnt see. The children would have “played together”, of course. Holly would end up chasing after the youngest ones while the grown-ups swigged tea in the kitchen.
“Yes, it is a shame,” Emily nodded. “Once shes feeling better, well set something up for sure.”
Charlotte sighed some more, wished Holly a swift recovery, and hung up. Emily put her phone down, staring at its screen with an odd clarity. The whole call had taken only four minutes. Not a word about Emily herself: her work, her health, her mood. Charlotte had only phoned for one reasonto see if Emily and Holly would come over. She wanted a free babysitter, nothing else.
Holly appeared in the doorway, peering at her mother.
“Auntie Charlotte again?” asked Holly.
Emily nodded, slipping her phone onto the little table beside the sofa. Her daughter came in, curled up next to her, tucking her feet beneath herself. She looked both annoyed and oddly relieved.
“Mum, I dont want to go round there anymore,” Holly blurted.
Emily raised her brows, waiting for more. Holly pressed her lips together, gathered her thoughts fast, then unleashed her pent-up frustration.
“She always dumps the kids on me,” Holly huffed. “She makes me watch them, run about, entertain them. And her eldest is only five! Im not a nanny for them, Mum.”
Emily looked at her nine-year-old, a smile twitching at her mouth. Already, Holly could say exactly what bothered hershe knew her own mind, and didnt shrink from voicing it. Emily felt a swell of pride.
“Dont worry,” Emily stroked Hollys hair. “That wont happen again.”
Holly smiled with gratitude, then vanished to her room.
Emily lay back and gazed at the ceiling, letting her thoughts float away. How odd, the shape their family had taken. Charlotte was four years younger, but she had four children. Four! Emily shook her head. She had just Holly, who was still growing up, still needed so much time, energy, and love. Charlotte, on the other hand, had a crowd.
Emily massaged her temples and closed her eyes. Charlotte had always seemed to think that rearing her brood was everyones joint responsibility: their parents, Margaret and Peter, were first to be enlisted, then Charlottes in-laws, neighbours, friends, assorted cousinsone big tribe tending to her four children. Everyone helped. Except Charlotte herself.
Emily gave a bitter smile and blinked at the room. She was made of different stock. She only asked her mother for help in desperate times: when she herself was ill, when work threatened to become a disaster, when she just physically couldnt manage. As for the restshed coped. It had been hard, especially at the start, but shed got through. Holly was growing up the right wayindependent, bright, full of character.
Charlotte, though, seemed to grow more brazen with each year.
Emily shook away the heavy thoughts, got up from the sofa. For now, shed dodged her sisterthat was a win. Saturdays chores beckoned, urgent as ever. She headed to the kitchen and started unloading the dishwasher.
***
The days slipped away in the usual whirl of work and domestic fuss. Friday evening: her phone buzzed, Charlottes name lighting up. Emily braced herself and answered.
“Em, hows Holly?” Charlottes voice dripped syrupy concern. “All better?”
“Yes, fine,” Emily leant against the wall. “Dashing about as usual.”
“Brilliant! Then you simply must come over for the weekendstay the night!”
Emily rolled her eyes; here came round two.
“But its so boring here on my own,” Charlotte whined. “The kids are a nightmare, and Davids off on business again”
“Char, cant do an all-nighter,” Emily shook her head. “But Ill pop round for a visit tomorrow morning.”
There was a sulky silence. Charlotte had hoped for more, but after a minute of haggling she grudgingly agreed to a daytime visit instead.
***
Saturday dawned grey and chilly. Emily wrapped up, slipped out alone, caught the bus, and then walked the final stretch to Charlottes door.
Charlotte answered and immediately craned her neck, peering behind Emily.
“Wheres Holly?” she said, frowning.
“Hollys busyschoolwork. Shes got a big test looming.”
Charlotte screwed up her face as if shed bitten a lemon. She slammed the door, resentful.
“Hollys turning quite the grumpy madam,” Charlotte folded her arms. “Never comes round, never calls or writes.”
Emily took off her jacket and hung it by the door. In the depths of the house, children squabbled, things crashed. Emily faced her sister, looked her squarely in the eye.
“Shes just had enough of playing the nanny in your house,” Emily replied, not flinching.
Charlotte went up in flames like dry hay. Her face reddened, her eyes narrowed.
“Its perfectly normal!” Charlotte raised her voice. “For older children to help with the younger ones!”
“No, its not,” said Emily, steady. “Not with someone elses children.”
“Theyre not someone elses!” Charlotte threw up her hands. “Theyre her cousins!”
“Shes only ten, Char,” Emilys fists clenched. “Shes a child, not staff.”
Charlotte stepped closer, glowering. In the background, a child wailed, but Charlotte didnt look round.
“Its good for her!” She jabbed a finger at Emily. “She needs to learn to cope with kids!”
“Shes not looking for that kind of lesson,” Emilys voice climbed. “She doesnt have younger siblings.”
“Precisely!” Charlotte shrieked. “Thats why she should help with mine! Let her learn!”
Emily drew back, stunned. Charlotte wasnt even trying to be subtle.
“Do you hear yourself?” Emily shook her head. “You want my daughter to be your unpaid babysitter!”
“Whats so wrong with that?” Charlotte put her hands on her hips. “I cant do it all on my own!”
“Then why have four children?” The words escaped Emily before she could hold them in.
Charlotte went a deeper shade of scarlet, veins standing out on her neck.
“Youve got an almost-grown-up daughter!” she spat. “She could come over after school every other day and help out!”
Emily snapped. Something inside gave way, and all her pent-up hurt flooded out.
“Youre unbelievable,” Emily hissed. “You dump your responsibilities on everyone else.”
“Im just asking for help!” Charlotte protested.
“Noyoure demanding,” Emily grabbed her coat. “You act as if the world owes you something.”
“So what? Mum and Dad help! Davids mum helps! Youre the only one who turns her nose up!”
“Mum and Dad arent young anymore,” said Emily, putting on her coat. “They need rest, not a horde of grandchildren every day.”
“They love it!” Charlotte grabbed Emilys sleeve, but Emily pulled away, moving to the door.
“We wont be coming again,” Emily said, opening the door. “Find someone else for your nursery.”
She strode out, slamming the door on Charlottes shouting.
***
That evening, when Emilys phone rang, it was her mum. She saw the nameMargaretand picked up.
“Emily, what on earth have you done?” Margaret trembled with outrage. “Charlottes in bits, youve reduced your sister to tears!”
“Mum, I only told her the truth,” Emily sat on the sofa.
“What truth?” her mothers voice rose. “That you refuse to help your own sister?”
“Helping and being a slave are not the same thing,” Emily squeezed the phone.
“Shes alone with four children!” Margaret wailed. “Davids away half the time! Shes struggling!”
“Her choicenot mine, not Hollys,” Emily refused to back down.
“Holly could look after the little ones now and then!” her mum persisted. “Everyone helps Charlotte, only youre our special one!”
“No,” interrupted Emily. “My daughter wont be a nanny for someone elses children.”
“Theyre not someone elses!” Margaret was almost shouting now. “Theyre family!”
Emily rose, moved to the window. Twilight was thickening outside, lamps flickering on, one by one.
“Mum, if you and Dad want to dedicate your days to Charlottes kids, be my guest,” she replied firmly. “But I didnt sign up for that.”
“Youre so selfish!” her mother accused.
“I have my own family,” Emily didnt waver. “My husband, my daughter. I wont be living Charlottes life for her.”
She ended the call before her mother could respond. The phone thudded onto the sofa, and Emily cradled her face in her hands.
Warm arms wrapped around her. Holly pressed herself to her mothers back, leaning her head on Emilys shoulder.
“Mum, I heard,” she whispered.
Emily turned and hugged Holly tightly, breathing in the soft, soapy scent of her hair.
“I did it for you,” Emily smoothed her hair. “And I always will.”
Holly looked up and beamed, gratitude shining in her eyes.
“I know, Mum,” she squeezed Emilys hand. “Thank you.”
They stood together, watching the citys evening lights bloom against the dark. Elsewhere, Charlotte was no doubt weeping to her mother-in-law. Margaret was probably ringing every relative, telling them her older daughter was heartless. But here in their little flat, there was warmth and safety.
Emilys mind was made up, and she wasnt going back. Even if it cost her peace with her sister and mother, Holly came first. Her childhood. Her freedom. Her right to just be a child.
