Dont you expect a single penny from me! Youve gotten yourself into debtpay it off yourselves! Emily snapped, slamming the door of her parents flat.
The commuter train hissed into the familiar platform at York, and Emily pressed her forehead against the cold window. She hadnt set foot in this town for five years. Five years of grinding away in London, doing twelvehour shifts, skimping on everythingeven the instant coffee from the office machine. Every pound went straight into her dream fund: a place to call her own. She was so closejust six more months and the deposit would be ready.
Then, in the middle of a hectic day at work, a call came. Her mum was sobbing, babbling about debt collectors, threats, and being unable to pay. Emily took an unscheduled day off and hopped on the first train back home.
The house she grew up in greeted her with the smell of cabbage soup and tense faces. Her mother, who seemed a decade older, flitted around the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron over and over. Her father sat at the kitchen table, staring at a blank wall. And on the sofa, as calm as ever, her younger sister Milly leafed through a bridal magazine.
Emily, love, her mum rushed over, thank heavens youre here. Were hopelessly tangled up in these debts
What debts? Emily sat opposite her father. Tell me exactly whats happened.
Her father sighed heavily and pulled a thick folder from the drawer.
It started three years ago. Milly got a job at a beauty salon. The pay was tiny, but she said it was just until she found a suitable husband.
Dad, not the husband thing again! Milly snapped without looking up. I just want to live nicely, not like youscrimping your whole lives.
Go on, Emily prompted her father.
Milly took a credit card, then another. She told us the minimum payments were nothingjust a few pounds a month. At first we didnt worry. Then she kept asking us to chip in£100 here, £200 there. We thoughtshes young, shell learn, lets help.
And you started taking out loans?
First a small personal loan, her mum cut in. Just enough to clear Millys cards. And then she waved helplessly.
Milly finally set the magazine aside and sat up.
Listen, Emily, dont make a mountain out of a molehill. Its not that much money. Youve saved you always brag about how frugal you are.
How much? Emily asked quietly.
Her father slid a list across the table. Emily skimmed the figures, and her stomach dropped. The total debt was far larger than the savings shed amassed for her own flat.
Have you lost your minds? she whispered.
It built up bit by bit, her father defended. We covered one loan with another, the interest just kept climbing
And Millywasnt she working all that time?
I was working, Milly interjected. But you know how wages are here. At the salon I earned £300 a month. Try living on that! Then I got a retail job£400, but the hours were awful, I quit after a month. Then a café
How many jobs have you jumped through in three years?
I cant countmaybe ten. I cant stay where Im miserable!
Emily felt a hot knot of anger form.
And what did you live on? Dads pension and Mums shop wages?
Milly kept saying shed be married soon, her mum said timidly. She has plenty of admirers
Admirers! Emily burst out. In three years not a single serious man, but a mountain of debt!
Why are you being so harsh? Milly pouted. Are you jealous that I have a social life and you only have work?
Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Fine. Tell me exactly whats happening now. What threats, what deadlines?
For the next hour she pored over the documents, called the banks, and clarified details. The picture was bleak. The family had truly buried themselves in a pit of borrowing they couldnt climb out of alone. Debt collectors called daily, threatening to seize assets.
What exactly did you buy with this money? Emily asked after another call.
Milly needed a car, her father began. Not newusedbut on credit
Why does she need a car?!
Because everyone else has one, and she was walking everywhere! her mother defended.
It needed repairs, we bought it with mileage, her father added. A new phone, furniture for her room
With that kind of cash?!
Its gorgeous now! Milly exclaimed, pulling her sister toward her bedroom.
Emily blinked at the sight of Millys room: a massive canopy bed, a Hollywoodstyle vanity, a walkin wardrobe, a flatscreen TV, an airconditionerall in blushgold tones.
Its like a palace! Milly beamed. And I needed decent clothes. Mum also bought herself a fur coat
A fur coat?
A mink one, her mum whispered. Milly said it was shameful to wear an old coat
We also bought Dad a suit, some jewellery, new dishes, a fridge, a washing machine
Emily sank into a kitchen chair. Everything around her had been bought on creditexpensive appliances, furniture, even the curtains looked pricey.
So youve basically been living on borrowed money, she said.
We thought Milly would get married, her father murmured. She had several serious suitors
Yes, she did! Milly confirmed. There was Andrew, a company directorturns out hes married. And Stevenhe runs a business but moved to Manchester. And Michael
What about Michael?
He had a oneroom flat. I cant live in a oneroom place! And then it turned out it was mortgaged too.
Emily closed her eyes. She herself was renting a onebed flat, dreaming of owning her own, even if it meant a mortgage.
Milly, youre twentyfive. Its time you earned your own living.
Why? Milly asked, genuinely surprised. Im getting married. A proper man will provide.
And if you dont?
I will. Im pretty and young. Look at youalways working, a grey mouse. No wonder youre alone.
Emilys fists clenched.
What do you plan to do about the debts? Milly asked.
We were thinking her mum stammered, maybe you could help? You have the money, youve been saving for years
Emily, Milly cut in, what does it cost you? You live alone, no kids. Why do you need an apartment? I, on the other hand, need to start a family.
So you want me to hand over all my savings?
Not hand over help the family, her father corrected. Were not strangers.
Emily rose and paced the kitchen. Numbers flashed in her head. Her savings were almost the entire debt amount. Shed be left with barely a few hundred pounds. Everything shed earned over five years would vanish into Millys whims.
What about my flat?
Youll save again, Milly said lightly. Youre good with money. I have no time; I need to get married.
No time? No time for what?
I cant work until Im forty! I need to marry while Im still young and pretty. After thirty itll be too late.
So Im supposed to work till Im old to pay for your pleasures?
What pleasures? Milly snapped. These are necessities! How can I live without a car? Without nice clothes? You understand
I understand that youve been living off other peoples money!
Kids, stop fighting, their mum intervened. Were a family. Emily, love, we know were asking a lot, but we have no way out. The collectors are threatening
And you thought loans didnt have to be repaid?
We thought somehow their dad said, flustered. Milly promised shed marry
Emily sat back down, pulling out her phone.
All right. Ill call the banks and see what can be done.
She spent the next two hours negotiating. They could restructure the debt, stretching it over a longer term, but the monthly instalment would still be about £500. With a combined family income of £800, that meant living on scraps.
Theres another option, she said after the last call. We sell everything bought on creditthe car, the furniture, the appliances. That would cover about half the debt. The rest we spread over five years in small payments.
What do you mean, sell? Milly was horrified. My car? My furniture? Well lose everything!
And what do you propose?
You should give us the money! Milly snapped. Were family! Or are you too stingy for your own?
I dont owe anyone anything, Emily replied coolly.
You do! her father burst out. We raised you, fed you, clothed you, sent you to university! And now, when we need help, you turn your back!
Emily looked at her parentspeople who had let their younger daughter run the household, whod plunged into debt for her whims, and who now demanded that their elder daughter bail them out.
I was raisedthat was your duty. I got an education and a job, I support myself. And she Emily pointed at Milly, what has she been doing all these years?
She was hunting for a husband! their mum exclaimed. That isnt easy either!
Does husbandhunting cost this much?
Emily, enough! Milly exploded. Do you think youre the only sensible one? I have a right to be happy too! If I need money for a nice life, why shouldnt the family help?
Because it isnt your money!
Whose then? Yours? You earned it by working like a horse and forgetting your own life. And what good did that do? Youre alone and miserable, but rich. Ill be happy in marriage, and the money will come.
Come from where?
My husband will earn it! Proper men provide for the family!
And while theres no husbandIm supposed to provide for you?
Who else? their dad interjected. We have no one but you! Cant you seewere desperate! Theyre threatening us!
Emily felt everything inside her boil. This wasnt a requestit was a demand. A demand for her money, her dream, her future.
You know what, she said, standing, Ill think about it.
Theres nothing to think about! Milly snapped. Either you help the family, or youre not our sister!
Or our daughter, her dad added.
Emily slipped into her old bedroom, untouched since she left. A simple desk, a narrow bed, shelves with textbooksmodest and plain.
She lay down, eyes closing. Five years of austerity, five years of denying herself every small joy, five years of dreaming of a home of her own. All for Millys outfits and amusements?
Maybe she should help? After all, they were family. And if the collectors took it to court, her parents could lose the roof over their heads.
But then her own flat would be postponed another five years. Maybe longerwho knew if theyd rack up new debt once they saw their eldest was willing to pay?
She got up and went to the window. Children were playing in the courtyard. Somewhere in London stood the flat shed been working towarda modest onebed on the outskirts, but hers. She was ready to work another five years for it.
Back in the kitchen, the family waited.
Okay? Milly asked impatiently.
I will not pay your debts, Emily said firmly.
What do you mean you wont? her mum couldnt believe it.
Exactly that. Youre adults. You got yourselves into thisget yourselves out.
How will we manage without you? her dad clutched his chest.
Sell everything you bought on credit. Let Milly get a proper jobnot a few pounds at a salon, but something decent. She could work as a courier with the car, or sell the car and take an office job.
Im not becoming a courier! Milly protested. And Im not selling the car!
Then youll stay in debt.
Emily, please, were desperate! Dont you feel sorry for us?
I do, but not enough to sacrifice my whole life for Millys whims.
So youre selfish! Milly shouted. You dont care about family!
Youre the selfish one, Emily replied calmly. You lived off others for five years, racked up debt, dragged our parents into it, and now expect me to foot the bill.
Who else then? You have the money!
I have money I earned for my own goals.
What goals? A flat? Milly scoffed. Youre thirty, living alone like an old spinster! What do you need a flat forjust to sit in it by yourself?
Milly! their mum scolded.
What, Milly? Let her hear the truth! She thinks buying a flat will make happiness fall from the sky? Who would want a grey mouse like her?
A cold, hard feeling rose inside Emilynot anger, but icy contempt.
And you think youre the beauty and the brains? she asked quietly. In five years you havent found a decent man, youve bounced through dozens of jobs, dragged our parents into debtthats success?
Ill find someone, Milly snapped.
You will. Just not someone wholl pay your debts. Any decent man would run from a wife like that in a month.
Hed run from you! Im the pretty one!
Beauty without conscience is cheap merchandise.
Milly leapt to her feet. How dare you! Mum, do you hear what shes saying?
Children, calm down, their mum said weakly. Emily, maybe not all the money, but at least some?
Not a penny, Emily cut in.
Then were finished, her dad whispered.
Nothing of the sort. Sell your things, restructure the rest, Milly gets a job, and in a few years youll pay it off.
And if we dont?
Thats your problem.
But you could help! her mum persisted. Dont you pity us?
Emily looked at the woman who had sent her off to London in tears five years ago and now demanded her savings.
Im sorry you let Milly turn into a freeloader. Im sorry you went into debt for her whims. But I wont pay for your mistakes.
Mistakes? Milly flared. Whats wrong with wanting to live beautifully?
Whats wrong is living at someone elses expense, not working, and expecting others to solve your problems.
I did work!
You worked for months and spent for years.
So what? Money isnt the most important thing in life!
Then why are you demanding mine?
Milly fell silent, thrown off balance.
Emily, her dad said quietly, we thought youd help. Youre our daughter.
I am your daughter. But Im not obligated to foot your foolishness.
And if we have nowhere to go?
Youll sell the flat and buy a smaller one. Milly will get a job. Mum, Dad, youre not that oldyou can pick up extra work.
Sell the flat? her mum gasped. But this is our home!
And the debts are your debts.
So youre abandoning us! Milly cried. What a daughter you are!
Emily stood, grabbing her bag.
Where are you going? her mum asked, frightened.
To the station. Im leaving early tomorrow.
Wait! her parents rushed toward her. Lets talk again!
Theres nothing to discuss. My decision is final.
Emily, at least half! her mum begged.
You wont get a single penny from me! Emily said sharply, turning to them. You got yourselves into debtyoull pay it back yourselves! Im not going to support you!
She slammed the door, the windowpanes rattling.
On the stairwell, Emily leaned against the wall, hands shaking, heart pounding. For the first time shed spoken so harshly to her own family.
And for the first time, she felt truly free.
The commuter train whisked her back to Londonto her job, her rented onebed flat, her dream of a home of her own. Five years ago shed left as a frightened girl, scared to live on her own. Now she returned as a grown woman who knew how to protect her own interests and her dreams.
In six months shed submit a mortgage application, move into her own flat, and no oneparents, sister, anyonewould be able to strip her of the life shes fought for.
As for her family, thats their choice now. Adults must answer for the decisions they make.
