The cheek of my adult step daughter never ceases to astound me. We haven't heard from her in months. No birthday card or father's day for my husband but then she phones tonight asking for a loan of money. I pass the phone to dh as I prepare to explode and what does he do? "Oh I think we can manage that!".

As if that's not bad enough, then the sly bitch arrives, takes the cash and informs us she is just back a holiday and was out drinking last night. Does that not just beggar belief? Meanwhile we can't afford a holiday this year at all, the car tax is due next week and we're overdrawn at the bank.

But what really riled me was the lack of gratitude and the filthy looks she seems to think I cannot see her giving me. Who the hell would be a step parent?