Ill tell you how things unfolded in the little town of Chester, where my old friend Susan Archer had, years ago, transferred every piece of her property to her only daughter, Emily. That way Emily wont have to fight over an inheritance, Susan had said back then, her eyes bright as she looked at her new daughterinlaw. Now the same Susan seems a touch uneasy, and Grace, my neighbours wife, quickly saw that she wasnt going to win any affection from her motherinlaw.
It wasnt surprising. Susan had always loved herself and Emily, the younger sister of my husband Andrews wife, and she never cared much for the father of her children, who died a couple of years before Grace met Andrew. Andrew told me, rather reluctantly, that his mother had always regarded his wife merely as a source of income. He adored Susan, though, and every asset a threebedroom flat in Manchester, a modest but comfortable cottage up in the Lake District, a car and a garage belonged entirely to her.
When our 26yearold son announced his engagement, Susan seemed almost delighted, as if his departure from the family house meant fewer footsteps in her hallway. She offered no help to the young couple. Youre a man, she told us, you must earn everything yourself. My property is meant for Emily. She added that she would still nag me when I grew old, because I was her daughter, after all.
Grace didnt take offense, but she felt sorry for Andrew, who was reminded once again who Susans favourite child was, a truth that hurt him deeply. Their mother, Helen Whitfield, tried to comfort them: Dont worry, well sort it out. Stay with me for a while, and well see what we can do. Helen was a kind woman, and remembering how hard it had been for her when she lived with her husbands parents long ago, she sold her own onebedroom flat and her cottage, gave us the deposit for a mortgage, and moved into a tiny studio. Why would I need a mansion? she joked when we protested.
Andrew always called his motherinlaw simply Mum. He looked after her when she broke her leg, took her to the doctor, arranged a job for her at a local health spa, and paid for her yearly stay at a seaside sanatorium. Years later, Andrew rose from an ordinary engineer to production manager at a large manufacturing firm. Right after the wedding, Helen helped us as best she could and never complained.
Grace had hoped Susan would at least praise Andrews career, but Susan simply waved it off: Well, at least she isnt hanging around her motherinlaws throat. Emilys partner was a businessman who lived as if he were rolling in butter. He was rich, but only for himself; Emily spent three years living like a pauper, never actually marrying him. Then she fell in love with a charming rogue, got pregnant, and the man vanished as soon as he learned she was expecting. Emily wept, gave birth to a little girl called Christine, and went searching for love again.
Susan kept bragging about her wonderful daughter, calling Christine a golden granddaughter, yet she saw her only a couple of times in five years and sometimes even forgot her birthday. Strangely, Susan never asked us for money, even though she had never worked, and Emily pretended to have a job while earning a pittance from the town archive.
One evening Andrew mentioned that after his fathers death there had been some savings, which Susan had skillfully invested, living off the dividends. We never asked how much. Later we learned that Susans relatives werent poor because she had left them a flat in the centre of Manchester, which they let out for a good price. For fifteen years the two families ran side byby side. Andrew would fly into Chester to wish his motherinlaw a happy birthday and a happy New Year, but he never stayed more than half an hour.
Graces mother gently scolded her: You cant behave like that, dear. Youre family of the husbands side; you ought to show some respect. Grace replied, She never even looks at us, muminlaw. Shes always bragging about Emily and Christine. I doubt shed recognise us on the street. That was true; Susan never seemed interested in her sons family at all.
Grace and I didnt pay much attention to the relatives either, but in a small town news travels fast. Emily eventually married, receiving the very flat that had been passed down from her grandmother. When Susan was asked whether there had been a wedding, she replied, No wedding at all why waste money? Emily and her husband travelled far and need to remodel the flat, that costs money too. The couple later divorced, and that same flat was split between them. Emily spent her share on a holiday, saying she needed a break after the stress.
Throughout all this, Christine lived with her grandmother, fully supported by Susan, who was oddly proud of it. At one point Grace was out of the loop about Susans life: Susans own mother fell ill, and Grace and Andrew did everything they could even trips abroad to try to cure her, to no avail. Andrew seemed more upset about his own motherinlaws fate than Grace, and Susan never called to offer condolences.
Susan then began pressing to know whether Andrew could help sell an old car, since Emily urgently needed cash. That was the first time Grace ever heard Andrew swear. A few months later Andrew stopped speaking to his own mother entirely, only returning after neighbours called about a flood in the family house. The house was empty; Susan, her sister and niece had gone to a seaside resort and ignored the neighbours calls.
That seaside trip changed Emilys life. She met Vladimir, a charismatic investor with no property of his own, who led a reckless lifestyle. He instantly made clear he had no interest in Emily or her daughter, but he wanted the flat for his ventures. Susan, remembering she had already transferred the property to Emily, called Andrew out of the blue. Talk to your sister, she said. Vladimir is a wonderful man and loves Emily, but Im afraid shes too swayed by him. Andrew replied, We havent spoken to Emily in years. What am I supposed to say to her? Susan hung up, saying, I knew there was no hope in you! The call left Grace a little unsettled.
Grace suggested they find out what was happening, but Andrew snapped, I have no desire to know. As long as theyre alive and well, thats enough. Six months later Susan appeared on our doorstep, frail and gaunt, her oncevibrant energy drained. Emily sold our flat, she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. I dont know where she is now. Please, find my daughter. She didnt even glance at Grace.
When Andrew asked where they were living, Susan sobbed, Its just me and Christine at the cottage. I have no idea what Vladimir has done, but he seems to have bewitched Emily. According to Susan, the rogue had vanished with Emilys money, leaving her alone. She feared the police wouldnt even take a report. Andrew sighed, They wont accept a statement. Susan left emptyhanded, now trying to tug at our heartstrings, urging us to take Christine in, which she cant care for on her meagre pension.
Weve been holding back, but Andrew still brings Susan groceries and a few pounds each week. Emily never calls. The whole tangled web of inheritances, broken promises and fleeting affections continues to loom over our quiet Chester life.
