Darling, you know Dave runs his own firm, spends days in meetings, and Lucy lives on the other side of town it takes her two hours just to get through the traffic, the honeyed voice of the motherinlaw, Margaret Hargreaves, cooed with a saccharine pity that made Emilys cheekbones clench. You work from home, your schedule is flexible, you sit at a computer all day. It wont be a bother to pop over to Aunt Peggy, heat up a soup, and check her blood pressure, will it?
Emily set her tea cup down with a careful clink, trying not to betray a sigh. What began as a casual Sunday lunch chat about family news was quickly turning into a wellorchestrated siege. Around the table, besides Emily and her husband James, sat Margaret, Jamess cousin Victor, and his sister Rachel. Their eyes bore a tenderyetdemanding look, as if Emily were the only lifeboat in a stormy sea of their problems.
Aunt Peggy, Margarets sister, had suffered a stroke a week earlier. Doctors had stabilised her, and she was due to go home tomorrow, but she still needed complete rest and roundtheclock care.
Mrs. Hargreaves, Emily tried to keep her tone even, though indignation rose like a tide inside her, my schedule isnt free. Im the senior accountant, working remotely, and were at the end of the quarter. Im glued to my screen for fivehour stretches, sometimes just to sip water. Pop over? Aunt Peggy lives three bus stops away thats an hour each way plus the care time.
Come off it, love! Rachel waved a hand, shoving a leaf of salad onto her plate. Your accounting wont disappear. Just bring your laptop. Sit with Aunt Peggy, do a bit of work, then pour her a drink. At least shell be watched over. Were one family, after all.
Emily turned to Rachel, who was impeccably manicured and worked as a salon manager on a twodayon, twodayoff rota.
Rachel, your schedule is twodayson, twodaysoff, Emily reminded her. That means youre completely free about fifteen days a month. Why not take half the shifts?
Rachel choked on her salad and widened her eyes.
Are you kidding? My weekends are my social life! And Im faintfaced when I see blood or smell medicine. The thought of lying next to Aunt Peggy makes me nauseous. My nerves are too delicate for that.
Meanwhile Ive got a business, Victor jumped in, twirling the keys to his pricey SUV on his finger. Emily, honestly. I could fund groceries. You know Im in the middle of a busy season, I barely see my family, I only crawl home to get some sleep. If I quit now, were all ruined.
All eyes snapped back to Emily. James, her husband, sat with his head down, diligently stabbing a meatball with his fork. He always seemed to melt under the pressure of his mother and her clan.
Hold on, Emily straightened. Lets get the facts straight. Aunt Peggy has two adult children Victor and Rachel. Its their direct responsibility to look after her. I have my own job, my own house, and, by the way, my own mother who also needs attention. I can drop by on weekends, bring groceries, help tidy once a week, but I wont become her fulltime carer.
A heavy silence settled. Margaret pursed her lips, her face turning the colour of a baked apple.
So thats how you speak now, she snapped. Just as youd have James remodel the flat, Dave would have helped with building supplies at a discount. As Lucy got a salon discount, you said thanks. And now that theres a problem, its my house is on the edge? Aunt Peggy, by the way, nursed little James when I was working double shifts at the factory! Shes practically his second mother!
James finally lifted his head, his expression guilty.
Emily, honestly Aunt Peggy helped me a lot. Maybe we could sort something out? I could pop over in the evenings
James, Emily stared him straight in the eye, you get home at eight at the earliest. Whos there with her from eight in the morning? Victor got a cement discount seven years ago and we paid for that cement without a markup. Lucys salon discount is five per cent, but I spend more on petrol getting to her. Dont start billing me for familytree duties now.
Victor shot up, scraping his chair loudly.
Fine, I get it. No help from you. Well deal with it ourselves. Well hire a carer, since the relatives are so heartless. Just remember, Earths round. When you need a glass of water, dont be surprised if its empty.
He dramatically flung a £5note marked for fruit onto the table and stalked out of the kitchen. Rachel followed, shooting a withering glance over her shoulder. Margaret clutched at her chest, rummaging in her bag for some cheap remedy.
The evening passed in oppressive quiet. James paced the flat, sighing, never starting a conversation. Emily knew he thought she was cruel, but she also knew that if she gave in now, shed spend months perhaps years in Aunt Peggys house, changing nappies and soothing whims while the loving children chased their businesses and romances.
The next day Emilys phone rang nonstop: first Margaret, then a distant aunt from York whod suddenly decided to lecture her on life, then Margaret again. Emily let it ring. She was busy. The numbers in her reports demanded concentration, and her emotions required iron control.
That night James came home looking gloomier than a thunderstorm.
Mom called, he said without even taking off his shoes. Peggys crying, says no one wants her, that theyll put her in a care home and forget her. Victor hired a woman, but she can only come two hours a day to warm a meal. What about the rest of the time?
Victor has two teenage kids, his wife doesnt work, stays at home. Rachel has no children. Why cant they set up a rota? Emily asked, weary.
Victors wife says shes disgusted and it isnt her mother. And Rachel you know Rachel. She threw a tantrum, saying shed go into depression at the sight of ducks and dripdrips. Everyones extreme, and Aunt Peggy is alone. Emily, could you at least do a halfday until we find a proper carer?
Emily looked at James. She loved him kind, helpful, but his softness sometimes killed.
Alright, she said suddenly. Ill go tomorrow. But I have one condition.
What condition? Jamess face lit up.
Youll see.
The next morning Emily, laptop in tow, drove to Aunt Peggys flat. The door opened to a woman who introduced herself as the twohouraday carer, a wearylooking lady.
Oh thank heavens someones here, the carer exhaled. Peggys being fussy, refuses porridge, wants chicken broth, and I have to run to two old men after this.
Emily entered the room. The flat reeked of cheap sedatives and stale laundry. Aunt Peggy lay on a high bed piled with pillows, watching the telly. She pursed her lips at the sight of Emily.
Oh, you finally showed up. I was expecting Dave or Lucy. Instead you send seventh water on jelly.
Good afternoon, Aunt Peggy, Emily said evenly. Victors busy, Rachels tied up. Im here to help. What do you need?
Broth! Fresh, with croutons! And change the sheets, those crumbs are stabbing my back. And fix the curtains, the suns in my eyes. Can you see that?
Emily sighed, set her laptop on the table, and headed for the kitchen. The fridge held a lonely wedge of cheese and a jar of sour milk. No chicken for broth.
Mrs. Bennett, theres nothing here. Did Victor promise to bring supplies?
He promised, he promised probably forgot. Go to the shop, love. Theres a Tesco down the road. Get a whole chicken, some curds, decent fruit, nothing mouldy.
What about the money? Emily asked briskly.
What money? the aunt replied, puzzled. My pension comes on the fifth. You buy it, Dave will pay later. Or are you and James so strapped you think a few pence for an old lady is a luxury?
Emily quietly pulled out her wallet, went to the shop, and spent £30 on the essentials. She cooked the broth, fed Aunt Peggy, changed the sheets, and endured a constant stream of complaints.
You didnt fluff the pillow enough! Too hard! Whos cutting the bread? Too big, Ill choke! Ouch, careful with my leg, youre trying to rip it off! Lucy would have done it gently, her hands are like silk
Wheres Lucy? Emily snapped.
Dont touch Lucy! She has no personal life, needs a man, not duckcarrying duties. And you, married, have nothing to do, just sit and care.
By evening Emily was exhausted as if shed unloaded a coal train. She managed to work on her laptop for a solid fifteen minutes before Aunt Peggy dozed off, then the endless list began: Turn the water on, change the channel, close the window, open the window, read the paper, why are you typing so loudly?
James arrived to take over the night shift, as theyd agreed. He found Emily staring at the wall in the kitchen.
How did it go? he asked cheerfully.
James, she said softly, I bought the groceries with my own money. I cleaned, cooked, washed your aunt. I heard not a single thank you, only comparisons to Lucy, the angel who isnt even here. Your aunt thinks I owe her because I married a good man and need nothing else.
Shes ill, her temperament is, James began.
No, thats always been her temperament; the brakes just gave out now. Listen: Im not coming back. Not tomorrow, not the day after. Never as a carer again.
What? Wholl do it? I have work
Thats Victor and Rachels problem now.
Emily left for home, tears threatening, but she swallowed them. She needed a plan.
The next morning, at ten, Victor called.
Emily, hi. I spoke to my mum, she said you did a great job, the broth was superb. When can you come back? The carer fell ill, needs someone for the midday injection.
I wont come, Victor, Emily replied calmly.
What do you mean? We agreed
I was there to scope the job, to understand the workload. Heres the reality: your mum needs a professional, roundtheclock carer. Im an accountant, not a nurse. I lost four hours of work and £30 on food yesterday.
Youre billing me? Victor snapped. Charging the family?
Im charging reality, Victor. If you cant look after her yourself and Rachel cant, you need to hire a livein professional. That runs about £600 a month plus meals.
I dont have spare cash! Everythings tied up! The economys in a slump!
Then sell the SUV and buy a modest car. Or have Rachel sell her coat. Or rotate shifts every other day. I wont lift a finger until I see you actually putting money into her care, not just empty promises.
She hung up, blocked Victors number, then blocked Rachels and Margarets. She knew a storm was coming and decided to hunker down in a quiet bunker.
James returned that evening, pale and trembling.
What have you done? Mum called, she screamed so hard the phone vibrated. She says you left a helpless person to die. Victor called me a mercenary. They all argued.
Whos with Aunt Peggy now? Emily asked while chopping carrots for a salad.
My mother went. Shes got a blood pressure of two hundred, yet she drove off. She said, If the young are so cruel, Ill lie down with my bones.
See? No one died. James, sit down and eat.
I cant! You dont understand. They now see us as enemies! How do we talk?
We wont talk until they apologise. James, understand one thing: whoever carries the load gets ridden on. Ive dropped the reins. Your mum will sit there for a day, realise health is priceless, and start pressuring Victor. When Victor sees the freebies drying up, hell find the money he bragged last week about buying a new warehouse.
James stared at his wife, both horrified and impressed. Hed drifted with the current, but Emily was now building a dam.
Three days passed. During that time Margaret, ever the heroine, manned the watch at her sisters flat, phoning James every two hours with melodramatic updates: My back is killing me hearts thudding Peggys shouting Ill die on the carpet. James was ready to rush over, but Emily stopped him.
Youll only go when Victor pays for a proper carer. Otherwise youll just replace your own mother and let Victor relax again.
On the fourth day the climax arrived unexpectedly. Margaret, trying to lift her sister, actually snapped her back. She was so twisted she couldnt straighten herself, and an ambulance was called for her.
Victor had to drive, Rachel had to drive.
That evening, a knock sounded at Emily and Jamess flat. Victor stood there, his oncepolished businessman façade crumpled.
Can I come in? he grunted.
Emily stepped aside, letting him in. James braced himself, ready to defend his wife, but Victor looked more defeated than aggressive.
He shuffled to the kitchen, sat on a stool, and asked for water, his hands trembling.
This is hell, he blurted after a gulp. My mum shes impossible. She flips between hot and cold, accuses me of wanting her dead so she can inherit the flat. She yelled I want her gone. Its its madness.
Emily smiled to herself. Welcome to reality, dear cousin.
Wheres Rachel? James asked.
Rachel bolted an hour ago, said she had a migraine. Margarets in hospital with a slipped disc. Im alone. My deliveries are burning up, my clients are breathing down my neck. I cant sit there, Emily! I need help. How much did you say? Sixty? Ill give a hundred. Just find someone decent who can endure Peggys whims. Youre good with people, youve got the knack
Emily sat opposite him.
Fine, Victor. Ill find a carer through an agency, with proper qualifications. Itll cost about £800 a month plus food. Transfer the money to my account now for the first month and the agency deposit, and reimburse me the £30 for the groceries.
Victor scrambled for his phone. Ill give you five, whatever just get me out of this.
Emily held up a hand. One more thing: call your mother and tell her to stop slandering me in front of the family. Make it clear that hiring a carer is YOUR responsibility, not because Emily is bad.
Deal, he said, relief flooding his face.
Within two hours the money hit Emilys account. Using her network of accountants, she quickly sourced a reputable homecare agency. By evening a professional carer arrived a sturdy woman with steel nerves and psychiatric experience, unfazed by complaints about tasteless broth.
Margaret was discharged a week later. She still wore a brace and complained about Emilys ungratefulness, but at family gatherings (which Emily now attended only when she felt like it) the motherinlaw finally admitted, Tanya was right. Its hard to look after someone lying down. A professional is needed. Dave did well, he didnt skimp.
Rachel never showed up at the flat, limiting herself to occasional calls. Victor, oddly enough, began treating Emily with unexpected respect, even asking her for financial advice. It seemed her firm stance proved she wasnt just a sidekick to James, but a person to be taken seriously.
And James he learned the biggest lesson of all. One night, while they watched a film, he pulled Emily close and whispered, Thank you.
For what? Emily asked.
For saving us all from a mad house and easing my guilt. I saw Victor looking greeneyed after that, I would have cracked in a day. Youre strong, Emily. Ill learn from you.
Emily smiled, rested her head on his shoulder, and felt a quiet confidence. She knew more challenges lay ahead relatives are forever but now the boundaries were solid, the keys to the gate firmly in her hand. Aunt Peggy, as the carer reported, became much calmer, having realized that throwing a fit at a stranger achieved nothing; there was no audience, no performance to put on.
And so the tale closed: a family duty that everyone tried to shift onto someone else finally landed where it truly belonged on those who were ready to shoulder it, with a dash of irony, a splash of humor, and a healthy dose of English pragmatism.
