Id been my sons familys free babysitter and cookuntil they spotted me at the airport with a one-way ticket.
“Nina, hello! Am I interrupting?” My daughter-in-law, Katies voice chirped down the line with forced cheer.
I silently stirred a long-cold bowl of soup. Interrupting? I was never too busy when they needed something.
“Go on, Katie.”
“Weve got newsabsolute bombshell! Leo and I booked tickets to Spain for two weeks! All-inclusive, can you believe it? Last-minute deal!”
I could. Sun, sea, Leo and Katie. And somewhere off-screentheir five-year-old son, Alfie. My grandson.
“Congratulations. Im thrilled for you,” I said flatly, like reciting a medicine leaflet.
“Right! So, youll take Alfie, wont you? He cant go to nursery nowchickenpox outbreak again. Oh, and hes got swimming lessons, cant miss those. Plus, his speech therapists booked for next week. Ill text you the schedule.”
She spoke rapidly, not letting me get a word in, as if afraid I might think and refuse. Though I never did.
“Katie, I was planning to go to the cottage for a few days while the weathers nice” I began, already disbelieving my own weak attempt.
“The cottage?!” Her voice dripped with genuine shock, as if Id announced a trip to Mars. “Mum, really? Alfie needs you right now. This isnt just a holidayits for our health! Sea air, vitamins!”
I stared out at the drizzly grey street. My sea air. My vitamins.
“Oh, and one more thing,” she barrelled on, “weve got premium cat food being delivered Wednesdaytwelve kilos. Couriers coming between ten and six, so be home, yeah? And water the plants, especially the orchid. Shes fussy.”
She listed my duties like it was obvious. I wasnt a person; I was a function. A convenient, free app for their comfortable lives.
“Fine, Katie. Of course.”
“Brilliant! Knew we could count on you!” she trilled, as if granting me a great favour. “Right, kisses, gotta dashpacking to do!”
The line went dead.
I set the phone down slowly. My gaze landed on the wall calendar. A red circle marked next Saturdaythe long-awaited reunion with friends I hadnt seen in a year.
I grabbed a damp cloth and wiped the mark away in one swift motion. Erasing another tiny piece of my own unlived life.
No anger, no bitternessjust a sticky, hollow emptiness and one quiet, clear question: When would they realise I wasnt just a free service, but a human being?
Probably only when they saw me at the airport with a one-way ticket.
***
Alfie arrived the next day. Leo hauled in an enormous suitcase, a swim bag, and three carrier bags of toys, avoiding my eyes.
“Mum, weve got to dashflights soon,” he muttered, dumping the suitcase in the hall.
Katie fluttered in after him, already in holiday modefloral dress, wide-brimmed hat. Her eyes flicked over my modest flat, assessing.
“Nina, dont let Alfie binge cartoonsread to him instead. And go easy on sweets, or hell be impossible.” She thrust a neatly folded list at me. “Schedule, contacts for the therapist, swim coach, allergist. Meal plan for each day.”
As if Id never met my own grandson. As if I hadnt cared for him since birth while they built careers.
“Katie, I know what he likes,” I said quietly.
“Knowing isnt the same as diet,” she snipped. “Alfie-love, be good for Granny! Well bring you a massive toy car!”
They left in a cloud of expensive perfume and draft.
Alfie, realising hed been left, wailed. The first three days were a marathonswimming lessons across town, speech therapy, tantrums, and midnight tears. I was exhausted.
On day four, I dared to call Leo. Theyd just checked into the hotel.
“Mum? Whats wrong? Is Alfie okay?” His voice was tense.
“Alfies fine. Leo, I Im struggling. This pace is too much. Could you hire a part-time nanny? Id pay half.”
Silence. Then a heavy sigh.
“Mum, dont start. We just got here. Katies stressed enough. A nanny? Whod we trust? Youre his grandmother. This should be a joy.”
“Joy doesnt cancel exhaustion. Im not getting younger.”
“Youre just out of practice,” he soothed, firmly. “Youll adjust. Lets not ruin each others holiday. We hardly ever getaway. Gotta goKaties calling.”
He hung up. I stared at the phone, something inside me hardening. Not angerjust cold, clear realisation. To him, I wasnt Mum, who might struggle. I was a resource. Reliable, tested, and, crucially, free.
Wednesday arrived, and with it, the cat food delivery. The courier dumped the twelve-kilo sack on the doorstep and left with a grunt about “doorstep delivery.” I spent ten minutes heaving it inside, back screaming. When I finally managed, I sat beside it and laughedsilent, brittle laughter.
That evening, Katie called. Sea sounds and music bubbled in the background.
“Nina, hi! Hows my orchid? Rememberfiltered water, not on the leaves!”
Not a word about Alfie. Or me. Just the plant.
“Under control, Katie,” I said, eyeing the cursed cat food.
That night, I barely slept. Not thinking of the cottage or my missed reunion. I opened the cupboard, pulled out my old savings book and passport. Just held them, tracing the covers.
The idea that had flickered days ago no longer felt like fantasy. It had shape. A plan.
The phone rang on day ten of their “break.” Leo.
“Mum! Hows our champ?”
“Asleep,” I said shortly.
“Listen, about that” He hesitated. I knew what was coming. “We love it here. Hotel offered a discount to extend another week. Fancy that?”
I stayed silent.
“Thing is, were a bit short” His voice turned wheedling. “Mum, those sapphire earrings Dad gave youyou never wear them. Could you pawn them? Well buy them back, promise! Whats the point of them sitting there?”
In the background, Katie hissed, “Leo, just ask! Nina, theyre just things! We deserve this!”
Just things. My memories. My family. My life. Pawned for their “well-deserved break.”
Something in me froze. Not shatteredjust turned to ice.
“Fine,” I said evenly. “How much?”
“Fifty grand should do it. Just photo the receipt so we know what to repay!”
“Of course, Leo. Enjoy your holiday.”
I hung up. Peeked into Alfies room. He slept, lips smacking adorably. My sweet, unwanted boy.
The ice in my chest cracked. I couldnt abandon him. But I couldnt go on like this either.
I texted Leo: “Not pawning the earrings. Your holiday ends in four days. If youre not back by Sunday, Im contacting social services. Non-negotiable.”
The reply came instantly: “Are you THREATENING us?!”
I didnt answer. I opened the airline site and booked a ticket. Malaga. One-way. Departing Tuesday.
***
They returned Sunday evening. Not arrivingstorming in. Tanned, irritable, and furious.
“Happy now?” Katie spat. “Ruined our best holiday ever! Manipulative cow!”
Leo wordlessly marched to Alfie, who leaped into his arms.
I stepped out, holding my passport with the ticket tucked inside. Calm.
“Glad youre back for your son,” I said softly. “Now listen. Both of you.”
They fell silent, startled by my tone.
“Five years, Leo. Five years Ive been your shadow. Picked Alfie up when Katie was busy. Stayed up when he teethed so you could sleep. Cancelled plans because Mum, we need you. Ive spent more time with your son than you both combined. I was your free function.”
I turned to Katie.
“Not once did you ask how I was. But you remembered your orchid. You assumed Id never leave.”
I laid the passport on the table.
“You were wrong. I love Alfie. Thats why I waited. But my role heres over. I want to see the sea too.”
Leo gaped at the ticket. “Spain?! Mum how long
