Chapter 8: Money Problems

On Monday, Emma arrived home from school and changed into her t-shirt and panties which was becoming her usual indoor clothing, now that the weather was getting hotter. She grabbed a drink of water and went in to tidy and then clean the lounge. Next she took off the sheets from her and her Mum’s bed and put them in the washing machine. As it was so close to the end of term, she had no homework, so put on some music and sat in the lounge reading the school newspaper on the internet.

A little while later, Lisa, her Mum came in through the front door, slamming it to behind her, shouting “I’m home!”

Emma shouted back “Hi Mum!” as Lisa walked into the lounge looking very upset and sat down with her head in her hands, trying to hold back her tears. Emma went over to her and put her arm around her “What’s up Mum?”

Lisa looked up, forcing a weak smile “Nothing for you to worry about.”

“If it upsets you so much, it is something for me to worry about” Emma said. “Are you having problems with James?”

“No, not at all. It’s just that we are in arrears with the rent, the landlord has threatened to evict us unless we catch up and the bank won’t extend the overdraft” Lisa explained.

“How much are we in debt Mum?” Emma asked, not sure that she really wanted to know.

“Almost 5,000 pounds” Lisa admitted. “With the sky-high cost of electricity and gas over the winter and the cost of everything going crazy, I can’t keep up.”

“Wow! That’s a lot!” Emma replied. “I should get some money for the photoshoot by the weekend, and I’ve got a little saved in my bank account. Will that buy us some time?”

“It certainly would help” Lisa said. “But that’s your money, you shouldn’t be having to pay the rent with that.”

“I’d be really upset if you didn’t let me help out after you’ve looked after me for all these years on your own. Dan has already got another photoshoot for teen sportswear coming up in the next few weeks and he’s looking for more. He reckons that Aiyla and me are really great models, so we should get more work and I will then be able to help out even more.”

“You should be enjoying your teenage years and not having to work to pay the rent” Lisa sobbed.

“But that’s just it. I’ve got a super new boyfriend who treats me really well and the modelling is so much fun and I get to keep all the designer clothes I wear for the photoshoot. I also enjoy all my sports and going out with my friends. I’ve also got the best Mum in the world. So my teenage years are amazing. But we’re on the same team Mum, so please let me help?” Emma asked.

“OK. Thank you. You’re the best” Lisa replied, managing a little smile.

They both hugged for a long time until Emma’s tummy rumbled and they went into the kitchen to make dinner.

On Tuesday at school, Aiyla was not looking her usual happy self.

“What’s up Aiyla” Emma asked at lunch.

“Oh, just money problems, as usual” Aiyla replied.

“Same with us and the landlord has threatened to evict us, but Mum thinks the money from the photoshoot, which I had to practically force on her, will let us off the hook for a month” Emma said.

“So, it’s not just us facing eviction then” Aiyla replied. “I think we have the same landlord.”

“You too!” Emma said. “Maybe we can get Dan to get more photoshoots.”

Mark heard them as he approached their table. “If you get evicted, you can come and live with us!” he said.

“And our Mums too?” Aiyla replied.

“Maybe not” Mark replied, “but Dan is fairly confident about getting more fashion shoots. How much money do you need?”

“Five grand” Emma replied glumly.

“Three” Aiyla added.

“Wow! That’s a lot of money” Mark exclaimed. “Maybe Dan and I could help you out.”

“It’s really nice of you to offer, but that wouldn’t work” Emma replied. “Apart from anything, it would mess up our relationship and I really don’t want that.”

Mark replied quietly “Seriously, I’m not showing off but I could write you both a cheque right now and hardly notice it. Please let me help. It’s totally wrong that I have all this money and you’re both in debt.”