Emma flinched and turned sharply at the sound of the voice. There in the doorway stood a familiar figureOliver, her husbands twelve-year-old nephew. The boy stared at her with a mix of demand and pleading, a look shed grown accustomed to over the past month. The same question, day after day.
Emma set aside the jumper shed been folding.
Come on, lets see what weve got, she said, masking her rising irritation.
Oliver trailed obediently behind her into the kitchen. Emma opened the fridge and sighed. Her sister-in-law, as usual, had left nothing for her son. She pulled out a container of soup shed made the night before for herself and her husband, heated it in the microwave, and placed the bowl in front of Oliver. She added mashed potatoes and a leftover roast from dinnerenough to fill him up.
Thanks, Aunt Emma, he mumbled without looking up.
As the boy ate, Emma returned to the bedroom, resuming her folding, but her mind wandered elsewhere. How had it come to this? Just two months ago, life had been entirely different.
She remembered the evening that changed everything. William had come home grim-faced, sat beside her on the sofa, and taken her hands.
Em, Ive got a favour to ask, he began carefully. Sophie and Mark and Oliver have been evicted. The landlord kept the deposit. Theyre in a tight spot, and weve got plenty of space here
*We* have plenty of space? Emma interrupted sharply. Will, Im not used to sharing my home with other people. Yes, the house is big, but that doesnt mean theres room for them.
I know, love. But theyre family. Sophies my sister, Olivers my nephew. Just a couple of months while they find somewhere. Give them time to save up, and theyll go.
William spoke gently, persuasivelyhow hard things were for his sister, how Oliver needed stability before school started.
But I work from home, Emma protested. I need quiet.
Come on, Sophies quiet, tidy. Olivers a good lad, hardly makes a peep. And Marks always at work. Its temporary.
In the end, shed relented. The hope in Williams eyes had worn her down. How could she refuse?
Now, folding another stack of shirts, Emma realised she only had herself to blame for not standing her ground. The first week had been fine. Sophie helped with cooking and cleaning. Mark stayed out of the way. Oliver did his homework without fuss.
But then Sophies leave ended, and she returned to work. That was when everything changed.
Now Sophie only cooked once a daydinnerjust enough for her own family. She didnt seem to care that Oliver was left without a proper meal at midday. And so, when he came home from school, his first stop was Emma, asking the same question.
*Whats for lunch?*
The phrase made Emmas blood boil. She wanted to scream, to force a confrontation, to make it clear this wasnt normal. But the boy wasnt to blame for his parents neglect.
That evening, she tried again with William. She waited until he settled in with his book before sitting beside him.
Will, we need to talk, she said firmly. This situation with Oliver isnt right. Sophie only cooks dinner, and he comes to me starving at midday.
William set his book aside, frowning.
Whats the issue? Youre homeits no trouble to feed him.
It *is* trouble. My salary doesnt stretch to feeding another child. And more importantlyhes not *my* son. His parents should be looking after him. This is about principle.
William didnt understand.
Emma, were family. Sophie and Mark are busytheyre struggling. Youre here. Whats the harm in helping?
Youre missing the point. This isnt helpits taking advantage. Sophies dumped her responsibilities on me.
Youre overreacting.
Emma realised hed never see it her way. To him, it was natural for her to pick up the slack for his family.
She didnt know how to fix it. Throwing them out wasnt an optionthey had nowhere to go. But putting up with it was getting harder.
Then, a small miracle. Over coffee, her friend Charlotte made an offer.
Em, why not come stay at my cottage for a fortnight? Peace, quiet, great Wi-Fi. A break from all this.
Emma brightened instantly. Two weeks without the daily *Whats for lunch?* No stress, no tensionjust freedom.
Charlie, thats perfect. I need a change of scene. William wont mind.
The next morning, as she packed, William noticed.
Going somewhere?
Charlottes cottage. Two weeks. Work in peace, recharge. Shes just had a rough breakupneeds company. You dont mind, do you?
He kissed her goodbye without protest.
But at lunchtime, as Emma and Charlotte relaxed on the cottage patio, her phone rang. Sophies name flashed on the screen.
Emma! her sister-in-law shrieked. How could you leave Oliver hungry? Hes home from school and theres no food!
Emma replied calmly.
Sophie, Im busy. What your son eats isnt my problem. Youre his mother.
How can you say that? We had an arrangement!
No, *you* made an arrangement. I never agreed.
Sophie eruptedaccusing her of selfishness, betrayal, coldness. Emma ended the call. For the first time in months, she could breathe.
The fortnight passed quickly. Emma returned refreshed, full of plans with Charlotte.
But at home, angry faces awaited her. Sophie sat stone-faced on the sofa. William looked torn between guilt and confusion.
Finally back! Sophie snapped. Do you have any idea how weve survived these two weeks? My sons been eating frozen meals! Youve betrayed this family!
Emma set down her bag, removed her coat, and met their stares.
Who exactly is this child to me? she asked quietly. Hes Williams nephew, not mine. Im not obligated to feed him. Sophie, I dont expect you to care for *my* relatives.
Were *family*!
I dont mind heating up food for Oliver. But I wont cook for him anymore. Ill manage my own mealsbut I wont lift a finger until Im shown respect.
The air thickened with tension.
From then on, Emma bought food only for herself and William. Oliver gave her sad looks, but she held firm. There was nothing for him.
By the third day, Sophie learned. She woke early, cooked properly, left meals preparedgrudgingly, but she did it.
Before leaving for work, she gritted her teeth and said, Please heat up the stew and potatoes for Oliver at lunch.
Emma nodded. Was that so hard?
Sophie stiffened but didnt argue. A fragile peace settled over the house. Emma could finally breathe again. Soon, theyd save enough to leave. She just had to make sure William understoodshe wouldnt be treated this way again.
Respect, shed learned, wasnt givenit had to be demanded.
