Shameless Beyond Belief “Come on, Kate, just tell me honestly,” Nick whined, “What’s the big cosmic difference if we rent the house to friends or strangers? The money’s the same.” Kate finished hanging the laundry, wishing Nick would quit complaining and help instead. “My darling Nick,” she replied, “The difference is you can never actually get the money out of family.” “You mean Dave?” Nick bristled at the implication, “Dave’s my brother! He’ll pay, I swear. He’s not even asking for a discount! He’ll rent the place at full price. For the whole summer. And we won’t have to go looking for tenants.” “Nick, it’s a seaside house. I could find tenants in five minutes.” “Explain why you’re so dead set on renting to strangers?” “It’s simple: with strangers, there’s a contract, upfront payment, and if they don’t pay—they’re out, end of. With family, it never ends—‘Oh, Katie, you know how it is, we’ve got kids… We’ll pay you later… Oh, we broke the telly, but you’re not actually going to charge us, are you?’ I’ve seen enough of it to last a lifetime. You don’t know how those stories end.” Kate’s parents had owned the seaside cottage before her. They lived right there in Brighton, and the house was the perfect little side hustle. Kate stuck to their formula—rent the place out, but, under no circumstances, to friends or family. She’d seen her parents get burned too often. “And how do those stories end?” her husband pressed. “With relatives not paying, and not even apologising! As if it’s no big deal to let them stay for free. Nope. Business is business, Nick. Not a free B&B for your lot.” Dave, Nick’s brother, had decided a three-month seaside holiday was just what the doctor ordered for his wife and their three children. Summer was slow for work, so a little family getaway sounded perfect. Kate had her suspicions that Dave wasn’t planning to pay at all. “But Dave isn’t asking to stay for free!” Nick insisted, “He said he’ll pay.” “They always promise.” “So why bother? We always have a queue of people ready to pay market rate. Folks who turn up, sign the contract, pay up front—I get to sleep easy. No friends. No family. Business is business.” Kate’s logic was hard to argue with, but Nick wasn’t finished. “Fine. Don’t believe Dave. But do you trust me?” Kate waited. “I do. And?” “If Dave tries anything dodgy, I’ll pay you myself.” Nick blurted it out, all puffed up like a hero. Kate rolled her eyes. “Brilliant. You’ll pay me using our joint account.” “I… I mean… I’ll pick up some extra work. Evenings, weekends, whatever I can get. Whatever I make, I’ll give it straight to you. Not our money, just yours. Deal?” Kate didn’t realise it mattered so much to Nick. Maybe, if he trusts his brother that much, she should too… “You could talk the hind leg off a donkey,” she said, “You’re responsible for this. Fine.” Summer was months away. Kate had time to breathe and maybe even try to believe in Nick just a little. June rolled round. Trouble arrived on day one. Nick called Dave every three days, gently reminding him to pay up at least for the first month. Dave always had a reassuring answer: “Yeah, Nick, all in hand! The money? Ah, just waiting on a big invoice from a client. Should be here end of the month. As soon as it lands, you’ll have it. Sorry, just one of those things. Don’t worry!” June ended. Still no money. Kate bit her tongue for a month, said nothing, didn’t nag, didn’t scold. Nick had begged her to let him handle it—so she did. She was trying not to dent his confidence, but after another upbeat post-call with Dave, she couldn’t resist: “Any luck? Has he paid?” “Dave’s still waiting on that payment from the client. Should be any day now!” And still, the excuse hadn’t evolved. “Told you so. Relatives always have excellent reasons to pay late.” “Kate, it’s just a one-off!” Nick protested, “He’s not doing it on purpose, honest! It just happened this way. Give it a bit longer.” “Sure. Let’s wait ‘til September, when they pack up their three suitcases and cheerfully leave, saying, ‘thanks for the lovely holiday, we’ll settle up soon!’?” “Kate, you’re not losing anything. I’ll just take an extra job.” “You? Right now?” Nick wilted. “Give him a couple more weeks. If nothing changes… I’ll pay up myself. If it’s that important to you.” “I didn’t force you to promise anything. You insisted—to prove your brother’s a man of his word. So prove it!” The atmosphere at home soured; Nick spoke to Kate with a joyless gloom. July. The heat was suffocating. Evenings found Kate watching as Nick scrolled through job listings online, but phoned no one. “Nick, it’s the 30th today. Two-thirds of summer gone, still not a penny rent,” she reminded him. “Still waiting on Dave’s payment… But—” “‘As soon as.’ Right?” “He’ll pay! He promised the minute the money comes in, we’re first on his list! He’ll throw in a little extra for making us wait.” “I’m done believing. You vouched for him. You said: ‘I’ll pay.’ So pay up. Where’s that job?” Nick’s enthusiasm for side hustling seemed to be wearing thin. It was easier to promise than to work double. Doing double shifts wasn’t quite so heroic. “I’ll find something. But there’s not much about… Not going to start lugging boxes with my back, am I?” “Maybe you should tell your brother to start carrying boxes to pay his debts. You promised me. Either you find work right now, or I ring Dave and tell him if I don’t see half the rent by Friday, his family’s out—by the book—and I’ll chase the rest through Small Claims Court.” Nick broke out in a cold sweat. “Don’t call Dave! Court? What will the family think of me? How’ll I tell Mum—took my own brother to court, Kate? Nobody’ll understand.” Dave didn’t want to pay, Nick didn’t want to keep his word, but suing his brother was unthinkable—so he decided Kate was the villain in all this. “Some wife you are! Don’t care that I’ll be working myself into the ground, just to pay you back.” “I didn’t twist your arm, Nick! This was your idea!” “But how was I to know Dave would do this?” “I did,” Kate replied, “Because I’ve seen it happen. Over and over. You didn’t listen.” “I get it!” Nick snapped, “But you’re just ruthless, Kate! You’d have me run myself ragged for the sake of, what, some money? My health means nothing as long as you get paid?” “I’m not making you—I just want the deal you insisted on to be kept.” “Fine!” Nick shouted, “I’ll get another job just to pay you for Dave’s holiday, fine? If that’s what you want—enjoy your blood money!” The deal fell apart on Nick’s terms, yet Kate got what she wanted—Nick started moonlighting. Yet her heart felt heavy, and Nick glared at her with a wolfish resentment every evening when he’d finished a courier shift. “This is all your fault,” he spat one night. “My fault?” “Yes!” “Well, maybe you’ll realise—you can’t buy being the nice guy if paying the bill falls to me. Put your own money on the line for your brother, and see if you learn something.” Kate honestly hoped Dave’s conscience would kick in and he’d pay. Just as she thought it, the phone rang—Dave calling her, not Nick. Surely, this was it—a payment at last? “Kate, got a bit of a situation…” “Dave, I don’t have time. You owed August’s rent already, we’re still waiting for July. Not my problem anymore—it’s Nick’s, since he vouched for you.” “Yeah, Nick told me! Poor guy—listen, bit of a snag—the car broke down while we were here, spent the lot getting it fixed. Need cash to get the family home, so I’ll just have to pay you later…. hope that’s all right?” Predictable. Kate hung up. Nick saw it all written on her face. “Fine,” he admitted, “I was wrong to trust him like that. But you—you never let me make a single mistake. Instead of supporting me, you just pile in…” “Should I have smiled and said, ‘No worries, let them have a free holiday, I’ll just grin and bear it’? You made the deal that you’d cover his debt!” “Yes, I did!” Nick sulked, “But you agreed way too quickly to me working myself into the ground! Don’t you give a toss about me?” “Does your brother give a toss about you?” “He’s not a bad guy, he just got unlucky…” “Great. He’s not a bad guy, as he rips me off and leaves you holding the bag. But me—I’m the villain, because I want what’s owed?” Nick fell silent. Looks like rough weather ahead for their marriage.

Brazen Cheek

So, Emily, tell me honestly, whinged Nick, Whats the cosmic difference who we rent the house to? Family or strangers? The moneys the same, isnt it?

Emily finished pegging the washing out on the line, wishing Nick would lend a hand instead of droning on.

Nick, darling, she sighed, the difference is that you can never get the money out of family afterwards.

You mean about Dave? Oh, come on, thats harsh. Daves my brother! Of course hell pay, Im telling you a hundred per cent. Hes not even asking for a discount. Hell rent the cottage for the full price. All summer long! Saves us from trying to find guests ourselves.

Nick, its a seaside cottage. I could rent it out in five minutes.

Really, though, why do you insist on renting to total strangers?

With strangers, its all straightforward: a contract, deposit, if they dont payout they go, and thats the end. With family you get, Oh, Emily, you understand, weve got children, Well transfer the money next week, or Oops, broke your telly, but you wont charge us for that, will you? Believe me, Ive seen this before. You have *no* idea how these things end.

Emily had inherited the place from her parents, who used to do much the same. While they lived over in Brighton, the cottage on the Cornish coast was a nice little earner. So Emily followed in their footstepsbut with one ironclad rule: no renting to friends or family. Shed seen too many so-called mates leave her parents in the lurch.

And how did it end? Nick asked.

Well, family didnt pay, and they didnt even have the decency to apologise! It was just, What, you cant let us stay for free? No. The cottage is a business, Nick. Not a charity bunkhouse for your relations.

Recently, Dave had decided that three months by the sea was just the tonic for his wife and their three tearaway kids. Summer was quiet at work, so why not indulge? And Emily had not the slightest doubt that paying rent was the last thing on Daves mind.

But its not as if Dave asked to stay for free! Nick protested. Hell pay.

They all say theyll pay, at first.

Why bother with this? Theres always a queue for the cottage, happy to pay market rates. They sign a contract, hand over a deposit, and I sleep at night. No. No relations, no friendsfriendships fine, but business is business.

Emilys practicality was tough to beat, but Nick fancied himself a smooth operator.

Fine. You dont trust Dave. But you trust me, dont you?

She raised her eyebrow.

Yes. So?

If for any reason Dave tries to shaft us, Ill pay the rent myself! announced Nick, bravely. Heroic stuff.

But, as offers go, fairly limp.

Brilliant idea, Nick. Youll pay me, using our joint account.

Well… if you put it like that… I could get a side job. Evenings, weekends. Everything I earn will go straight to you. Not our money, yours alone. Deal?

Emily hadnt realised how much it meant to Nick. Maybe, just maybe, she should trust his confidence in his brother…

You could talk the hind leg off a donkey, she said. Fine. But if this goes wrong, its on your head.

Summer was still ages off, so Emily relaxed a little and even started to believe him.

June arrived. And with it, the problems. Nick rang Dave every three days with a gentle nudge: Maybe pay the first month in advance? and got cheery reassurances in return.

Yes, yes, Nick, its all fine! The money? Oh yes, Im just waiting for a big client to pay up, he promised by end of the month. As soon as, you know? Sorry its dragging on, just the way of things. Dont worry!

June ended.

Still no money.

Emily put up with it for a whole month, biting her tongue as Nick had begged her to let him handle it. She tried not to kill his self-esteem, but after yet another pointless phone call she had to ask:

Well? Has he paid?

Daves waiting on that big payment. Any day now, he promised!

Yep, the old excuse, copy-pasted.

On the tip of her tongue: Who couldve predicted this?

What did I say? Family always have a Very Good Reason for not paying on time.

Its just coincidence! Nick stammered. Its not like hes doing this on purpose. Just bad timing. Lets give it a bit longer.

Yes, lets wait until September, shall we? When they pack up all their suitcases and say, Thanks for the lovely holiday, well sort you out later!

Come on, Emily, youre not losing out. If he doesnt pay, Ill get another job!

You? A job? Right now?

Nick deflated instantly.

Give him a couple more weeks. If nothing turns up, Ill pay you myself… if this is really that important to you.

I didnt force you to make promises. You were desperate to prove your brothers trustworthy. Prove it!

The mood at home took a nosedive. Nick spoke to Emily with all the cheerfulness of a funeral director in November.

July. The heat was unbearable. And Emily would find Nick surfing job sites after tea, but calling absolutely no one.

Nick, have you noticed its the thirtieth? Two-thirds of summer gone, and weve got bugger all from the rent, she reminded him.

Nothing from him yet… but

As soon asyes, yes, for the thirtieth time.

He *will* pay! He said the minute the money comes in, were first on the list. Hell probably even give us something extra for the bother.

I dont buy it. You vouched for him? Said: Ill pay. So pay. Wheres your side-hustle?

Lets be honest, he looked about as likely to get a part-time job as she did to win Strictly Come Dancing. Promisings easyactually working two jobs, not so much.

Ill find one. The offers are not brilliant. Im not about to start heaving crates with my dodgy back, am I?

Maybe try persuading your brother to heave crates instead. You promised! Either you go job-hunting now, or I ring Dave and tell him that if I dont see half the money by Friday, Ill evict the lot of them, and claim the rent in court.

Nick went pale.

Dont call Dave! The courts? Whatll the family think? Whatll I tell Mum? Suing my own brotherEmily, no one will understand.

Dave didnt want to pay, Nick didnt want to keep his promises, and court was apparently out of the questionso, naturally, he decided to make it all Emilys fault.

Honestly! Is this how much you care about your beloved husband? Youre perfectly happy to watch me slog away day and night just to pay *you* back!

I never made you promise. That was all you, mate!

But I genuinely thought Dave would come good!

Well, *I* didntbecause I *have* seen this before. Loads of times. You should have listened.

Oh, I get it, alright! Nick huffed, looking like a man whod stubbed his toe and blamed everyone else. But you, Emily, youre no better! Youd rather I work myself into an early grave than lose a few measly quid. When I collapse from exhaustion, youll still want your precious rent!

Im not making you do anything! I want you to stick to the deal *you* cooked up.

Fine! Nick snapped. Ill get a second job and pay for Daveif money means that much more than your husband. Happy now?

The plan had spectacularly backfired, but Emily stood her groundNick went off and got himself an evening courier gig, and then glowered at Emily like shed burned his last Yorkshire pudding.

All your fault he muttered darkly.

Mine?

Yes!

Maybe this way youll learn, Emily said. Its easy to be generous with someone elses money. Next time, itll be your wallet on the line, and maybe youll think twice.

Secretly, Emily still hoped that Daves conscience might kick in and hed do the decent thing before summers end. And, wouldnt you know it, Dave rang. Her, not Nick.

Could it be? Would the money finally arrive?

Emily, mate, we need a favour

Dave, I havent got time for this. You should have paid for August by now, and were still waiting for July! Its not my problemits for Nick to sort, since he vouched for you.

Yeah, Nick told me! Poor bloke, youve got him working so hard. But listen, Ive had a bit of a nightmare here. The car broke down, blew all my cash on repairs. Need to get the family home somehow… The rent, well, maybe a bit later…

Shockingly unsurprising.

Emily hung up.

Nick, who caught the drift from her face, caved at last.

Alright, he admitted, maybe I was wrong to trust him. But youcant you let me off just this once? Instead of rubbing it in?

And what was I supposed to do? Smile and say, No worries, Nick! Let the family have a free holiday, Ill just carry on regardless? This was your bright idea!

Yeah, it was! He scowled. But I didnt think youd be so keen to see me knacker myself for the rent! Dont I matter to you?

Does your brother care about you?

Hes not a bad bloke, just… things went a bit pear shaped.

Right. So your brothers not bad when hes fleecing me and landing you in it, but *Im* the villain for asking for what Im owed?

Nick went very quiet.

Looks like stormy weather ahead in their marriageNick stared out the kitchen window, rain finally pelting down on the dry lawna proper British summer, late as ever.

Emilys chest tightened; she felt tired to her bones, but something inside her loosened too. Maybe it was the storm, or the exhaustion in Nicks eyes, but she stepped closer.

Listen, she said quietly, maybe maybe we both got it wrong. Maybe boundaries matter more than keeping the peace. Your brother, my rulesnone of it should be making us enemies. You and me are the family Im fighting for. Not some unwritten obligation. Us.

Nick blinked. He looked younger, suddenlyjust a boy who wanted to believe the best of people, before the world kept proving him wrong.

She softened. Ill call an agency tomorrow. Next summer: no more family. Whoever books pays up front, or its someone elses headache. Deal?

He managed a sheepish smile. Deal. After a pause, he added: Maybe Dave can take his tent to the Lake District. Get rained on properly for once.

Emily snorted, and they laughed the tension away, bitter little giggles dissolving at last into real ones. In that ordinary kitchen, with the rain battering the glass, Emily looped her arm into Nicks and felt a flicker of hope blooma lesson earned the hard way, and a partnership, if not perfect, at least weatherproof.

Outside, thunder rolled, but inside there was peacea truce not built on trust, maybe, but on finally understanding where loyalty really belonged.