Everythings clear, I understand, Victor said, his voice heavy with resignation. Theyre kicking us out of our own home.
Victor, Mum and I are on our way to you! Poppy shouted into the phone at three in the morning.
Dont come, Victor replied groggily, rubbing his eyes. Were asleep!
Victor, this isnt a joke! Find a cot for me and a proper bed for Mum! Poppy snapped, frustration crackling.
We dont have any cots; every spare spot is taken, he yawned, stretching his arms wide.
Are you mocking me? Poppys voice rose.
Sister, what do you want from me? Why are you showing up at this hour? You have your own flat, go sleep there!
Victor! Poppy snapped, anger sharp. You have to let us stay for the night! Weve got nowhere else!
What happened? Victor asked, innocently, nudging his wife. He covered the receiver with his hand and muttered: Anna, Mum and your sister are at the door, begging to crash with us!
Couldnt you have called at a decent hour? Anna whispered, halfasleep.
I love that were on the same page, Victor smiled thinly.
Poppy kept pleading, her words punctuated by sighs and exasperated shouts.
Short and simple! Victor demanded.
Victor! The front doors jammed!
Badly? he asked.
First the lock stuck, then the hinges warped and wouldnt close, and when I tried to push it shut it seized completely! Poppy sobbed, her voice trembling. Mum and I were in our houserobes on the doorstep! Wed have to beg the neighbours, but you know how troublesome they are!
How fascinating! Victor chuckled, his grin widening. The payback doors have finally caught up with you!
His wife, listening, shook her head theatrically, covering her mouth to stop a yawn. She wanted to laugh out loud but didnt want to drown his words.
Victor, well have to wait until morning and then call a locksmith! Book a taxi and pay by card, weve got cash in the flat!
So are you staying or leaving? Victor pressed.
Dont be stupid! Poppy screamed. Were stuck here like two hens under this cursed doorway!
In childhood, parents love their children equally, giving what they can. As the kids grow, favourites appear, and care follows the same pattern: the beloved get more, the rest get the leftovers.
When Victor decided to marry, his younger sister Poppy immediately raised the issue of him and his new wife sharing the family flat.
Victor, shes my sisterinlaw, not my aunt! And Im living at my own place! I want to come and go as I please!
Whos stopping you? Victor asked, puzzled.
Just the mere presence of a stranger makes me uneasy! Poppy quoted a line shed read online.
What kind of unease? Victor frowned. Anna and I work late. In the morning you and Mum are still asleep; in the evening were home, and you expect us to stay in the same room?
Oh, of course! Poppy sneered. You wont even use the bathroom, youll just keep busy with your own affairs! And I might be at the gym at that time!
Believe me, theres nothing interesting for us there, Victor said. Whos going to watch you?
Victor! Poppy yelled, then added her mother to the call. Tell him why we cant have a stranger in the house!
Margaret, said the mother, shes Victors wife, and youre the daughterinlaw! Thats practically family.
Thats distant kin, Mum, but by law shes a stranger! I dont want to live like in a council flat!
Margaret, who had always favored her daughter because her son reminded her of the husband whod abandoned them, leaned in gently:
Victor, we love you, but we barely know Anna. Well meet her, just not by moving in together first she said softly, with a hint of pleading. Youre a husband; it would be wrong to lean on Mums support forever. Your children will grow, Poppy, youre still young!
Everythings clear, I understand, Victor said, sighing. Theyre kicking us out of our own home!
Victor, no ones kicking you out, Mum replied. We just want to avoid unnecessary trouble.
You can live without a wife, Poppy said, but with a wife, go your own way!
Anna soon realized something was off between Victor, his mum and sister, because after the wedding theyd planned to stay with them to save for a deposit. Three weeks before the ceremony, Victor moved his belongings into a rented flat and brought Anna there.
Anna saw the tension but didnt intervene. She herself wasnt thrilled about living next to Victors family, yet for his sake she was willing to endure as long as needed.
It didnt work out, so thats fine, she told a friend. Victor looks miserable.
Anna, stay out of it, advised her friend Kate. Youll be healthier that way!
Ill manage, but Victors really having a hard time!
Thats what a wife is for support him! Essentially, youre now his family, and theyre just relatives.
Victor might have been yielding, but he quickly forgot any grievance when his own familys problems piled up. He had to sort out housing, and then Anna gave birth to a son.
We cant stretch any further, he said sadly. Well never gather enough to buy a place. Well just keep spending, never saving.
I agree, Anna replied. When the mortgage is due, youll have to pay, whether you like it or not.
They took out a thirtyyear mortgage. Theyd hoped for twenty, but a longer term would swallow any chance of leisure.
Four years after little Toms birth, joy began to fade. Their second son, Luke, arrived with a triumphant cry.
No worries! Victor declared. Well manage!
Of course, love! Anna encouraged. Where will we go?
When Luke turned five, Victor miraculously secured two vouchers for a holiday resort. They rarely vacationed, usually just visiting Annas relatives in the countryside.
Anna! Theres a spa, a pool, disco for the overthirties, five meals a day its practically royal treatment!
The kids?
For a small extra fee we can bring them, or we could leave them at home.
Shall we lock them in a room or send them back to my mums village? Anna asked with a teasing smile.
It was all a joke; Anna knew shed never leave the children unattended. Shed simply keep them entertained in a TV room on a schedule.
Mum, Victor called, can I bring the kids over for a week? Anna and I need a break.
And where exactly? Poppy demanded, refusing to let the conversation continue.
At the countryside health resort, Victor replied. We havent had a proper holiday in eight years.
So youre going to the resort and were left to guard your little bandits? Poppy scoffed. Great outlook!
Mum, Victor pleaded again, theyre calm boys! Feed them, check theyre dressed properly, tuck them in otherwise theyre practically selfsufficient.
Hmm, Margaret mused.
No, Victor! Poppy snapped, her mother chiming in. We just renovated, bought new furniture its pricey!
And now your kids will wreck everything? Youll have to compensate us? And sometimes my husband drops by, but theres never room for the kids!
Mum! Victors voice cracked, his last hope fading.
Son, weve just finished the renovation, and Poppys sorting out her life. You and Anna are a family; sort your own problems.
Thanks, Mum! Victor managed, each syllable a strained breath.
They left for the resort with the children, and Victor didnt speak of his relatives for weeks, nursing a quiet resentment.
A sudden setback forced Victor to beg his family for a short loan.
Mum, Poppy, Annas salarys delayed. We need to cover the mortgage instalment. Can you lend us three or four days?
Son, we dont have that kind of cash, Margaret said, glancing at her daughter.
We do, Poppy slapped her mothers hand, dont worry!
Youve literally saved my skin! Victor exhaled, relief evident.
No! Poppy declared firmly. Youll have to rescue yourself; our moneys earmarked for the new front door. The installer arrives next week, and we need a deposit for the work as well.
Poppy, why? Victor asked, baffled. Im only asking for four days!
Its uncertain how youll repay! I have to pay the carpenter next week, then another five days later hell fit the door and I must settle the full amount!
Youll pay, Poppy! Victor shouted, frustration boiling. Our situation is urgent! The loan needs to be paid tomorrow, but my salary arrives the day after. Ill bring the cash straight away or transfer it!
You speak nicely, but Im not handing over the door, Poppy snapped. If youre delayed again, what will I do?
Lets go to the solicitor now and sort it properly. You can even draft a fine of a thousand percent!
Ill take your fines when the door deal collapses! Victor retorted. Ill be out of breath before you can finish your paperwork!
Victor hustled to a family friends solicitor, settled the payment early, and both his mother and sister blacklisted him. He told Anna everything, and she quoted a line shed read once:
A wise person never seeks revenge; they wait for life to settle the score.
The waiting didnt last long.
There you go! Victor shouted. My cards empty! I cant find any money to help my own family!
Youve gone mad! Were your family!
And the doors! Victor added. Your doors have become the final chord, after which I have no desire to speak to any of you.
How can you be so low, my son? his mothers voice trembled with hurt.
Im not seeking revenge, Victor replied. Im finally returning the debts!
You never took anything from us, did you? Poppy asked, confused.
I took your love, your care, the kindness you gave me, Victor said. And now Im giving it back in equal measure.
He ended the call, the line clicking silent. It wasnt vengeance; it was a debt finally repaid.
