Im not cooking for everyone anymore! Just for myself and Annie. Why on earth not? snapped Nicholas. Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So live with it!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? Emma barged into the bedroom without knocking. Im going to be late for school!
Nina tried to sit up, but her head swam. The thermometer read thirty-eight and seven. Her throat burned, her chest rattled.
Emma, Im poorly Grab something from the fridge.
Theres nothing in there! Just yoghurts for the little one! Her daughter stood in the doorway, arms crossed. You only ever think about her!
A cry came from the nursery. Annie had woken up. Nina forced herself up. Her legs wobbled, spots dancing in her vision.
Nina, wheres my shirt? Nicholas called from the bathroom. The blue striped one?
Should be in the wardrobe
Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?
Nina leaned against the wall. Shed spent all day yesterday with a fever, trying to care for the youngest.
No, didnt get round to it.
Brilliant! Ive got a meeting! He slammed the bathroom door in frustration.
Annies wails grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery, scooping her up. The little girl clung to her, sniffling.
Mum! Emma shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!
Moneys on the table. Buy something on your way.
Im not stopping at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, its your job to feed us!
Nina wordlessly carried Annie to the kitchen, pulled frozen burgers from the freezer, and slapped a pan on the hob.
And make pasta! Emma ordered, eyes glued to her phone.
While breakfast cooked, Nicholas emerged in a crumpled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like a tramp. Cheers for that!
Nina stayed silent. Speaking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.
Its Lucys birthday today, Emma announced, heaping pasta onto her plate. Im going round after school. Be back late.
Emma, I feel awful. Could you stay and help with your sister?
Yeah, right! Ive waited six months for this party! And anyway, I didnt ask for a sister! Your problem! She grabbed her bag and slammed the door behind her.
Nicholas scrolled through his phone as he finished his breakfast.
Nick, could you come home early? I really dont feel well.
Cant. Work drinks after. You know how it is.
But Im ill
Take something. Paracetamol or whatever. Youre not bedridden. Manage. He pecked her sweaty forehead and left.
Nina was alone with three-year-old Annie. The toddler demanded attention, food, play. Nina moved on autopilot, feeling her strength drain.
By lunch, her fever hit thirty-nine. She managed to feed Annie, put her down for a nap, then collapsed onto the sofa. Her head throbbed, her heart raced.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Emma: Mum, send money for Lucys present. Now!
Nina didnt reply. She couldnt even lift the phone.
Nicholas returned first, tipsy and cheerful, carrying a shop bag.
Got some beer and crisps! Match is on! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Nick, feed Annie, please. I cant get up.
That bad? He finally looked at her. Whyre you so red?
High fever. All day
Well, call the doctor if its that bad. Wheres Annie?
In bed. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill feed her. When shes up.
Annie woke half an hour later, crying for Mum. Reluctantly, Nicholas paused the telly and picked her up.
Whatre you crying for? Come to Daddy!
But the toddler squirmed, wailing louder. Nicholas looked lost.
Nina, she wants you!
Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And juice.
Where? I cant find anything!
She had to get up. The room spun as she gripped the wall. Nina fetched a biscuit and poured juice into a sippy cup. Annie calmed slightly.
Emma came back past midnight. Nina was awakeher fever wouldnt let her sleep.
Why didnt you reply? Emma snapped the second she walked in. I had to borrow money from Lucys mum! So embarrassing!
Emma, Ive had a fever all day
So? Couldnt pick up your phone? Two seconds!
The next morning, Nicholas shook Nina awake.
Nina, get up! Ive got work, and Annies screaming!
Her fever had broken, but weakness remained. She got up, dressed Annie.
What about breakfast? he asked.
Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Myself? I cant cook! And Im in a rush!
Youll learn. Something in her tone silenced him. He muttered and stomped off.
When Nina returned, the house was a mess. Dirty dishes, scattered clothes, an unmade bed. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today.
She showered, drank tea, and went back to bed.
That evening, the family gathered for dinneror rather, an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Emma asked.
Dunno. Whatever you make.
What? Emmas eyes widened.
Exactly. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.
Why not? Nicholas scowled.
Because in this family, its every man for himself. So deal with it!
Nina, whats got into you? He tried to hug her, but she stepped back.
Im tired of being a servant! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff to you lot.
Mum, I said sorry! Emma lied.
No, you didnt. Neither did Dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Emma huffed. So we just starve now?
Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Cook.
The first week was chaos. Emma threw tantrums, Nicholas grumbled and slammed doors. Nina held firm. She cooked only for herself and Annie, washed only their clothes, cleaned only the nursery.
Mum, my jeans are filthy! Everythings dirty! Emma whined.
Washing machines right there. Detergents under the sink.
I dont know how!
Youll learn. Instructions are on the lid.
Nicholas wore wrinkled shirts to work, ate at cafés. Money vanished fast.
Nina, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!
Cook at home. Cheaper.
I cant!
YouTubes your friend. Millions of recipes.
The house descended into filth. Dirty dishes, unmopped floors, dust. Nina saw it all but didnt intervene. Only the nursery stayed tidy.
After two weeks, Emma attempted pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itmush.
Mum, help!
No. Learn.
Youre my mum! Youre supposed to!
My jobs to care for minors. Cooking you gourmet meals isnt in the contract. Bread, milk, cerealyou wont starve.
Nicholas tried scrambled eggs. Burnt them. Second attemptedible.
Look, Nina! I made eggs!
She nodded and returned to her book. No praise, no fuss.
By week three, the flat was a tip. Emma sobbed over a mountain of laundry.
Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!
You were home all yesterday. Couldve washed them.
I was doing homework!
I work from home, cook, clean up after Annie, take her to the park. And I manage.
But youre the adult!
And you want adult privileges? Staying out late, pocket money? Then act like one.
By months end, they cracked. Emma learned to wash clothes, cook basics, tidy up. Nicholas mastered eggs, pasta, even simple soup.
One evening, Nina returned from the park with Annie. The table was set, dinner smelled ready. Nicholas and Emma stood sheepishly.
Mum, we made dinner, Emma said quietly. I did salad, Dad roasted chicken.
Thanks, Nina replied evenly.
Mum, were sorry, Emma mumbled. We didnt get it how hard it is for you.
Nina, we wont do it again, Nicholas added.
