Im not cooking for everyone anymore! Just for myself and Annie.
Why on earth not? snapped Nicholas.
Because in this family, as Ive realised, everyone fends for themselves. So get on with it!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? Yvonne barged into the bedroom without knocking. Im going to be late for school!
Nina tried to sit up, but her head spun. The thermometer read thirty-eight point five. Her throat burned, her chest rattled.
Yvonne, Im ill Grab something from the fridge.
Theres nothing in there! Just Annies yoghurts! Her daughter stood in the doorway, arms crossed. Its always about her!
A wail came from the nursery. Annie was awake. Nina forced herself up. Her legs wobbled, spots dancing before her eyes.
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 baby.
No, didnt get round to it.
For heavens sake! Ive got a meeting! He slammed the bathroom door.
Annies crying grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery, lifting her daughter into her arms. The little girl clung to her, sniffling.
Mum! Yvonne 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! Besides, its your job to feed us!
Silently, Nina carried Annie to the kitchen. She pulled sausages from the freezer, slapped a pan onto the hob.
And make pasta! Yvonne ordered, glued to her phone.
While breakfast cooked, Nicholas emerged in a wrinkled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like a tramp. Cheers for that.
Nina said nothing. Speaking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.
Its Sophies birthday today, Yvonne announced, piling pasta onto her plate. Im going round hers after school. Back late.
Yvonne, I feel awful. Could you stay and help with your sister?
Yeah, right! Ive been waiting months for this party! And anyway, I didnt ask for a sister. Your problem!
She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door.
Nicholas scrolled through his phone as he ate.
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, playtime. Nina went through the motions, feeling her strength drain.
By lunch, her fever hit thirty-nine. She somehow fed Annie, put her down for a nap, then collapsed on the sofa. Her head throbbed, her heart raced.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Yvonne: Mum, send money for Sophies present. Now!
Nina didnt reply. She couldnt even lift the phone.
Nicholas returned first, tipsy and cheerful, carrying a bag from the off-licence.
Got beers and crisps! Match is on! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Nick, feed Annie, please. I cant move.
That bad? He finally looked at her. Why are you so red?
High fever. All day
Well, call the GP if its serious. Wheres Annie?
In bed. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill feed her. When shes up.
Half an hour later, Annie woke crying for Mum. Nicholas grudgingly tore himself from the telly and picked her up.
Whats all the fuss? Come to Dad!
But the toddler squirmed, wailing louder. Nicholas panicked.
Nina, she wants you!
Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And juice.
Where? I cant find anything!
She forced herself up. The room spun as she gripped the wall. Nina fetched a biscuit, poured juice into a sippy cup. Annie quietened.
Yvonne came home past midnight. Nina was still awakeher fever wouldnt let her sleep.
Why didnt you reply? Yvonne snapped. I had to borrow money from Sophies mum! So embarrassing!
Yvonne, Ive had a fever all day
So? Couldnt pick up your phone? Two seconds!
The next morning, Nicholas shook her awake.
Nina, get up! Ive got work, and Annies screaming!
Her fever had broken, but weakness lingered. Nina dressed Annie mechanically.
What about breakfast? Nicholas asked.
Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Myself? I cant cook! No time!
Youll learn.
Something in her tone silenced him. He muttered and stomped to the kitchen.
When Nina returned, the house was a messdirty dishes, scattered clothes, unmade beds. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today.
She showered, drank tea, and went back to bed.
That evening, the family gatherednot for dinner, but around an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Yvonne asked.
Dunno. Whatever you make.
What? Her daughter gaped.
Exactly. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.
Why the hell not? Nicholas scowled.
Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So crack on!
Nina, whats got into you? He tried to hug her, but she stepped back.
Im tired of being your servant! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff.
Mum, I said sorry! Yvonne lied.
No, you didnt. Neither did your dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Yvonne huffed. What now, starve?
Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Cook.
The first week was chaos. Yvonne threw tantrums, Nicholas grumbled and slammed doors. Nina held firmcooking only for herself and Annie, washing only their clothes, tidying only the nursery.
Mum, my jeans are filthy! Everythings dirty! Yvonne 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 full of recipes.
The house descended into squalordirty dishes, grimy floors, dust. Nina saw it all but didnt intervene. Only the nursery stayed clean.
Two weeks in, Yvonne 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. Tried againedible.
Look, Nina! I made eggs!
She nodded and returned to her book. No praise, no fuss.
By week three, the flat was a tip. Yvonne cried 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.
Youre the adult!
And you want adult privileges? Late nights, pocket money? Then act like one.
By months end, resistance crumbled. Yvonne 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 kitchen table was set, dinner ready. Nicholas and Yvonne stood sheepishly.
Mum, we made dinner, Yvonne mumbled. I did salad, Dad roasted chicken.
Thanks, Nina said calmly.
Mum, were sorry, Yvonne
