You Gave Me the FlatBut Its Still Family Property! Mum and the Relatives Are Horrified Im Kicking Out My Pregnant Cousin
You *gave* it to me, remember?
Oh, come off it, love! This is *family* were talking about. How can you be so heartless? Shes pregnant and has nowhere to go!
Emily clutched her phone in the kitchen, her mothers voiceequal parts pleading and accusatorybuzzing in her ear. Classic Mum. Even when asking a favour, shed twist it into a guilt trip.
Mum, I *want* to help, but She faltered. Ambers been crashing at mine for *eight months*. Eight! Remember when Aunt Vanessa swore itd just be two weeks, tops, till she finds a job?
Well, the job markets rubbish these days
Shes not even *looking*! Emilys irritation flared. Yesterday, she spent three hours making avocado face masks, binge-watched *Love Island*, and then
Emily, shes *expecting*!
She found out *last month*. What about the seven months before that?
A heavy silence. Emily braced for Mums theatrical sighthe one that screamed, I raised a monster.
Mum, its *my* flat. You and Dad bought out Aunt Vanessas share *for me*, didnt you?
*Technically*her voice turned crispits still family property. Were just letting you live there.
Emily shut her eyes. There it was. The same old script.
I thought it was a graduation gift.
It *was*! But family means
Means *what*? she cut in. Letting Amber eat my food, nick my clothes, and have her layabout boyfriend over when Im out? The same bloke who knocked her up, by the way.
*Emily!* Mums tone sharpened. Your aunt did *so much* for us! When Dad was ill, who helped? Who watched you when I worked nights?
Emily exhaled. The Eternal Debt to Aunt Vanessa. A tale as old as time.
Im grateful, really. But that doesnt mean
She rang me crying yesterday Mum interrupted. Says youre bullying Amber over trivial nonsense.
Emily snorted.
Trivial? She *stole* my new jumper, stained it with wine, and said, You dont mindwere *family*. No apology!
Good lord, its just a jumper
Its *not* the jumper! Her throat tightened. Its respect. Boundaries. Coming home and feeling like a *guest*.
Another pause. Then Mum switched to Persuasive Whisper Mode:
Your nan would be *so* disappointed. Family was everything to her
Stop Emily snapped. Dont drag Nan into every row.
But its *true*! This flat came from her estate. Shed want
What? Me to house Amber *forever*? Tolerate her rubbish?
Her phone buzzed: Aunt Vanessa. *Shocker*.
Mum, its Auntie. Probably calling to tell me what a terrible cousin I am.
Answer it. *Be reasonable*.
Fine Emily sighed. Ill ring you later.
Switching calls, she braced for round two.
Hi, Auntie.
Sweetheart! Aunt Vanessas voice dripped sugar. Hows my *sunshine*?
(Sunshine. *Brace for impact*, Emily thought.)
Alright.
Amber mentioned a little *misunderstanding* between you?
Emily rolled her eyes. Misunderstanding. Right.
Auntie, you said *two weeks*. A *month*, max.
You sound like a *solicitor*! A forced laugh. Family doesnt keep score!
What *does* family do? Her temper flared. Take my stuff? Invite randoms over?
Oh, loveAmbers just *friendly*
Shes used to everyone cleaning up her messes. Mum and Dad *bought you out*. Its *my* flat.
Not *exactly* The sweetness vanished. Its *family* flats. Your mum and I agreed
To sell your share *at market rate*.
Always *money* with you! Hysteria crept in. What about Ambers *baby*? Where will she go?
Shes got a boyfriend. The *father*, incidentally.
That *deadbeat*? He bolted to Manchester when she told him!
(Gee, *wonder why*, Emily nearly said.)
You and Uncle Nigel have a spare room. Why cant *she* live with you?
A *very* telling silence.
Its *complicated*. Nigel works from home. Anyway, you two get on *so well*! Itd be *practice* for you!
(Get on? Emily almost laughed. Amberperpetually spoilt, while she, the sensible one, always had to yield.)
Im done. Shes leaving.
*What?!* A shriek. Shell *miscarry* from the stress!
Emily bit back a swear. The ultimate weapon: *proxy guilt*.
Im not chucking her out tonight. Shes got *a month*
Im calling your mother! *Ungrateful*, after all weve done!
*Click*. Her hands shook.
The front door slammed. Heels clicked.
Em! Ambers syrupy voice. Guess who I saw? *Sophie*from school! Married some tech bloke. Her *ring*proper *bling*!
She flounced in, fake-tanned, manicured, designer jeanszero distressed pregnant woman vibe.
Oh! We should *redecorate*! She flopped onto the sofa. Move this near the window? And a *nursery corner*
Emily stared, her last thread of patience snapping.
Amber. We need to talk.
Not *now* She waved a hand. *Hormonal migraine*. Ill nap.
*Amber*. Sharp tone. Youre moving out.
Pause. *Record-scratch* face.
*What?*
Youve got *four weeks* to find a place.
Youre *joking*! Nan left this flat to *all of us*!
No. My parents *bought* your mums share. *Legally*, its mine.
*Family* beats paperwork! Im *pregnant*!
Youve got parents. A *boyfriend*. *Mates*.
Im calling Mum! She yanked out her phone.
Waste of time. Shes already rung.
Amber glared, venomous.
Auntie and Mum will *fix this*. Youll *regret it*!
*Slam*.
Emily watched her storm off. Instead of guilt? *Exhausted relief*.
Her phone buzzed. Mum: *Aunties devastated. HOW COULD YOU?*
Ignoring it, she googled: *Flats to rent Brighton.*
***
Three months later. Emily sipped coffee on the pier, across from Tombloke shed met clubbing in London.
No regrets? he asked.
Just wish Id done it *sooner*.
Her phone rang. Dad.
Hiya.
News. We sold Nans flat.
*What?* But
Ambers back with her parents. A dry chuckle. Tried to squat after you left, but Enoughs enough. The moneys *yours*.
*Mine?*
Yep. It was always meant to be. Sorry we didnt back you sooner.
Tears pricked her eyes.
Ta, Dad.
Be happy, love. Were proud. Even when we mess up.
Hanging up, she watched seagulls dive over the waves.
Alright? Tom squeezed her hand.
Think I just grew up. *Properly*.
The wind carried off the old weightleaving space to choose who *earned* a place in her life and her heart.
