Hey, love, so my niece Poppy dropped by for a visit, but she’s sulking because I didnt feed her.
Im living in Manchester while my sister Helen is up in Bristol. Her daughters dreaming of getting into the university here in Manchester. Shell eventually move into a dorm, but for now shes staying a couple of weeks to sort out some paperwork or maybe an exam Im not too clear on the details, just that popping over before term starts is normal. Helen arranged for Poppy to crash at my flat for a bit.
We never really talked about whos putting food on the table. If her mum keeps quiet about it, they just sort it among themselves. I walk in and see Poppy sitting in the lounge looking glum, so I ask whats up. She says she thought Id treat her to a warm lunch. I snapped back, Im not going to feed you, and Im on my own schedule. Ive got to dash! Call your mum, have her transfer some pounds onto your card, grab some biscuits, a few scones and a cuppa. Oh, and buy tea too Ive run out! Come on, youre 18 now, not a little kid!
Her mum Margaret hasnt spoken to me in ages and doesnt know that after the kids flew the nest, my husband vanished and I threw myself into work. My days are a proper headscratcher, running around like a headless chicken, so Im rarely home and Ive got zero energy for any house chores. All I want is a solid nights sleep.
Im not about to sacrifice anything for my guest. Its lovely, really, to see Poppy shes grown up, more ladylike now but Im no longer the freespirited Aunt Lucy who could whip up an elephantsize feast without breaking a sweat. Let her do the shopping, chopping, boiling, frying or steaming herself. Better still, let her buy something readymade so she doesnt wreck my stove or flat.
Now shes all huffy, simmering, angry in silence every day. She was probably hoping for a full board with mum. Maybe things will settle down. Its hard to stop being the goto nice aunt overnight after years of keeping the peace with everyone. Im still friendly: I offered a free place to crash, just missing the food part. I even saw a therapist to get tips on how to explain gently that Im not as functional as I used to be. Shell have to cut back on expecting me to do everything.
