Thomas and I began seeing each other when I was twenty-two. A few months later, we were married and took out a mortgage on a flat. The loan was in Thomass name, but both of us worked hard to pay it off. For eight long years, we pinched every penny, denying ourselves even the simplest treats, not caring about our own health, just to keep up with the payments. At last, we finished paying off the mortgage, and the flat was finally ours. I thought our hardships were over and we might finally enjoy life, but happiness still eluded us. My husband had a sister.
She had a husband, but neither of them worked steadily. They rented a cramped room somewhere in Liverpool. Occasionally, her husband picked up odd jobs and paid the rent, but more often than not, they were out of pocket. They regularly came to us for money, and it was never repaid. When my mother-in-law discovered that our mortgage was paid off, she rang Thomas and began urging him that we ought to help his sister, as her troubles were mounting.
My dear boy, she said, perhaps you could sign your flat over to me, and you could move in with me. Why should I rattle around in such a spacious place alone? And who knows, you may soon have children yourself.
To my dismay, Thomas was delighted with the suggestion. He didnt pause to thinkhe simply agreed. He transferred the flat to his mother, who promptly deeded it to her daughter.
In the end, her daughter got the flat, and we found ourselves out on the street, for my mother-in-law refused to take us in. I was deeply hurt that Thomas hadnt listened to my warning, as I had been dead set against the whole plan. Forced out, I moved back in with my parents, still unable to forgive him. Thomas tried to make amends, begging me for another chance. My feelings for him ran deep, and after much soul-searching, I decided to give our marriage one more try.
Promise me you wont let your mother sway you any longer, I said. Shes got you on strings. Whats done is done, but we can start anew. Well find another flat, take out another mortgage, and well manage, so long as you stop bailing your sister out.
Thomas agreed. We took on another mortgage and began the whole hard slog again. We worked ourselves to the bone, sometimes two, even three jobs each, with scarcely a days rest. Four years later, we owned our flat outright. Just then, my mother-in-law reappeared, seeking forgiveness this time.
Im sorry, son, I had no choice. You know how desperate your sisters circumstances were. Shes still in a bad way, you know. Just recently, she had a car accidentthe cars a wreck and shes in hospital. The car was bought on borrowed money, and they cant keep up the payments, nor can they pay for the repairs. Would you sell your flat, give me the money, and move back here?
And what do you think my husband did? He did exactly the same thing all over again! I couldnt fathom how he could be so gullible or how so many years of struggle could have come to nothing. That was when I realised I couldnt continue with him. Finally, I filed for divorce.
