Im not cooking for everyone anymore! Just for myself and Annie. And whys that? fumed Nicholas. Because in this family, as Ive come to realise, its every man for himself. So enjoy your new lifestyle!
Mum, wheres my breakfast? Hannah 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 38.5. Her throat burned, her chest rattled.
Hannah, Im ill 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 rang out from the nursery. Annie had woken up. Nina forced herself to stand. Her legs wobbled, black spots dancing in her vision.
Nina, wheres my shirt? Nicholas poked his head out of the bathroom. The blue striped one?
It should be in the wardrobe
Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?
Nina leaned against the wall. Shed spent the whole previous day with a fever, trying to care for the toddler.
No, I didnt get round to it.
Brilliant! Ive got a meeting! Her husband slammed the bathroom door in frustration.
Annies cries grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery and scooped up her daughter, who clung to her, sobbing.
Mum! Hannah shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!
Theres money on the table. Buy something on your way.
Im not stopping at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, feeding us is your job!
Silently, Nina carried Annie to the kitchen, pulled frozen burgers from the freezer, and slapped a pan on the hob.
And make pasta! Hannah ordered, glued to her phone.
While breakfast cooked, Nicholas emerged in a crumpled shirt.
Had to wear this one. Look like a right mess. Cheers for that!
Nina said nothing. Speaking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.
Its Sophies birthday today, Hannah announced, piling pasta onto her plate. Im going round after school. Ill be back late.
Hannah, I feel awful. Could you stay and help with your sister?
Yeah, right! Ive waited months for this party! And anyway, I didnt ask for a sister! Thats your problem!
She grabbed her bag and slammed the door behind her.
Nicholas finished his breakfast, scrolling through news on his phone.
Nick, could you come home early? I really dont feel well.
Cant. Theres a work do after. You know how it is.
But Im sick
Just take something. Paracetamol or whatever. Youre not bedridden. Youll manage.
He pecked her sweaty forehead and left.
Nina was alone with three-year-old Annie, who demanded attention, food, and play. She went through the motions robotically, feeling her strength drain.
By lunch, her fever hit 39°C. She managed to feed Annie, put her down for a nap, and collapsed on the sofa. Her head pounded, her heart raced.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Hannah: “Mum, send money for Sophies present. NOW!”
Nina didnt reply. She couldnt even lift the phone.
Nicholas returned first that evening, tipsy and cheerful, carrying a bag of crisps.
Got some beer and snacks! Match is on! He flopped onto the sofa and turned on the telly.
Nick, please feed Annie. I cant get up.
That bad? He finally looked at her. Youre all red!
High fever. All day
Well, call the doctor if its serious. Wheres Annie?
In her cot. Shell wake soon.
Fine, Ill feed her. Once shes up.
Half an hour later, Annie woke crying for Mum. Nicholas reluctantly paused the telly and picked her up.
Why the waterworks? 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!
Nina forced herself up. The room swayed as she clung to the wall. She fetched the biscuits and poured juice into a sippy cup. Annie calmed slightly.
Hannah rolled in past midnight. Nina hadnt sleptthe fever kept her awake.
Why didnt you reply? Hannah snapped. I had to borrow money from Sophies mum! So embarrassing!
Hannah, 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 exhaustion lingered. She dressed Annie while Nicholas hovered.
What about breakfast?
Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.
Myself? I cant cook! No time!
Youll learn.
Something in her tone silenced him. He grumbled and stomped to the kitchen.
When Nina returned, the house was a bombsitedirty dishes, scattered clothes, unmade beds. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today.
She showered, drank tea, and went back to bed.
That evening, the family gathered for dinneror rather, around an empty table.
Mum, whats for dinner? Hannah asked.
Dunno. Whatever you cook.
What? Her daughter gaped.
Exactly. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.
Whys that? Nicholas scowled.
Because in this family, its every man for himself. So crack on!
Nina, come on. He tried to hug her, but she stepped back.
Im done being your maid! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff to you lot.
Mum, I said sorry! Hannah lied.
No, you didnt. Neither did Dad. No one even asked how I was.
Fine, sorry! Hannah huffed. So we just starve now?
Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Get cooking.
The first week was chaos. Hannah threw tantrums, Nicholas slammed doors. Nina held firmcooking, cleaning, and washing only for herself and Annie.
Mum, my jeans are dirty! Everythings filthy! Hannah wailed.
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 and ate at cafés, watching his money vanish.
Nina, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!
Cook at home. Cheaper.
I cant!
YouTubes your friend. Millions of recipes.
The house descended into squalordirty dishes, dusty floors. Nina saw it all but didnt lift a finger, except in Annies room.
Two weeks in, Hannah attempted pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itinedible mush.
Mum, help!
No. Figure it out.
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-ish.
Look, Nina! I made eggs!
She nodded and returned to her book. No praise, no applause.
By week three, the house was a tip. Hannah sobbed over a mountain of laundry.
Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!
You were home all yesterday. Couldve done it.
I was doing homework!
I work from home, cook, clean, take Annie to the park. And I manage.
Youre an adult!
And you want adult privileges? Late nights, spending money? Then act like one.
By months end, they cracked. Hannah learned to cook basics and do laundry. Nicholas mastered eggs, pasta, even simple soup.
One evening, Nina returned from the park to a set table and the smell of food. Nicholas and Hannah stood sheepishly.
Mum, we made dinner, Hannah mumbled. I did salad. Dad roasted chicken.
Thanks, Nina said flatly.
Mum, were sorry, Hannah looked down. We didnt get it how hard it is.
Nina, well do better
