It feels odd how youve both agreed on this, Marina says to her husband, Oliver, with a sigh. Dont you think youre being a bit ?
What? Oliver asks, eyebrows raised. You want to live with your motherinlaw and look after her?
Marina turns away, her expression sour.
This is, first, none of your business. Second, the inheritance isnt yours to meddle with. And third, stop using those childish expressions of yours
After their fathers death the siblings sit down at a family meeting and divide the estate by mutual agreement.
The elder brother, Oliver, receives the twobedroom flat he already occupies with his wife Marina and their son Daniel.
The younger brother, Ian, keeps the spacious threebedroom house in the town centre of Manchester; a third of it belongs to their mother, Evelyn OConnor.
Evelyn is a classIII disabled person because of hypertension and diabetes and needs constant supervision.
The family car also goes to Ian, as Evelyn has to be driven to appointments regularly.
The siblings decide that their parents savingsabout £30,000should remain with Evelyn. She will manage the interest from the account herself, plus her state pension, so she should have no financial worries.
Its strange how youve both settled on this, Marina repeats, irritation clear in her voice. Dont you think youve gotten a bit soft?
What? Oliver repeats. You actually want to live with your motherinlaw and look after her?
Marina looks away again.
This is, first, none of your concern. Second, the inheritance isnt for you to sniff around. Third, quit using those slangy phrases.
Oliver loves Marina despite the fact that, in his mind, they are of different social standinghes a electronics engineer, shes a hairdresserbut her choice of words often irritates him.
Still, weve got a decent family, and the inheritance kept us from fighting, Ian chuckles, having overheard the argument.
Ten years pass. Ian brings his wife Alana into the family home, and their son Victor is born there. Alana, gentle and courteous, quickly finds common ground with Evelyn, and the two women hardly ever argue.
Oliver, Marina and the nowteenaged Daniel visit only occasionally.
The adults work long hours, while Ian has his own worries and hobbies beyond looking after a frail grandmother.
Somethings always going wrong with him, Oliver complains. One week the school restroom catches fire, the next a bike gets stolen, then the kids smash bottles in the park. Its a miracle he hasnt been held back yet.
Its not a miracle, its the money, Marina sighs. We keep paying for his messes.
He just needs more attention, Ian tries to defend his nephew.
Easy for you to say! Alana snaps. Your Alana doesnt work; she spends every minute on Victor, and were left scrambling.
Ian cant argue. He and Alana have long decided that she will look after Victorschool, chess club, swimming lessonswhile Alana drives the boy herself.
Victor excels at school and already wins maths competitions.
Ian can afford this life; his career is going well, whereas Oliver struggles at work. Oliver earns a decent wage for their town, but far less than his brother, and he also has to cover the costs of the wayward Daniel.
One day Alana notices that the fridge is mysteriously emptier on certain days. She has been cooking alone for months, so she knows exactly whats in stock.
Mom, Im glad youve got a good appetite, but havent you forgotten about your diabetes? she asks Evelyn cautiously.
Its not me, Evelyn mutters, looking embarrassed. Its Daniel dropping byhow can I not feed my own grandson?
You could, of course, Alana replies. You just never mentioned he comes over
It isnt the missing meatballs that worry Alana; its Daniels sporadic visits.
Hes refused to come over since he was twelve, Alana tells Ian. Hes an adult now, has his own life.
Remember, he only shows up around New Years and for Grandmas birthday, and thats for half an hour, Ian counters. Whats changed?
I think youre exaggerating, Ian shrugs. Hes 17 nowmaybe he finally feels sorry for her.
Ian tries to reassure Alana, but even he doubts his own words. Evelyn spends most of the day alone and gets bored, so a regular visit would be welcome. Still, Ian and Alana notice that Daniel turns up roughly once a weekcertainly not enough to empty the pantry.
Ian decides to ask his brother and sisterinlaw whats happening. Oliver is away on business, and Marina snaps back, If youre scared of the sausage, just say it! Daniel just misses Grandma!
She doesnt argue further, but she keeps an eye on Daniels visits. He always comes on weekdays during the day, when the house is empty.
According to Evelyn, he stays about an hour to an hour and a half, eats, tells some news, then leaves.
Three months later, late at night, Marina calls Ian, panicked.
Ian, I dont know what to do! Olivers unreachable, and the police have taken Daniel! she sobs.
The police discover that a group of teenagers had taken drugs at one of the brothers flats before heading out for a night of mischief. In the park they smashed two benches, overturned several bins, shouted profanities and frightened passersby.
Fortunately no one was injured. The park authority agrees to a monetary settlement, and the teens are released after each receives cash from a relative.
When asked where the money came from, the boys all shout in unison, Daniel paid for it!
One of them says, Hes been splashing cash lately, and it isnt even his moneyjust respect!
Marina clutches her chest. Youre stealing too?!
No, love! What are you on about? Daniel whiningly replies. Grandma Jen gives me money. Cant I use it?
So thats why youve been dropping by so often? Ian asks. Arent you ashamed to beg a pensioner for cash? You could be earning yourself by now.
Dont lecture my son! Marina erupts. Youre all living the high lifebig house, car, money!
She pauses, then says softly, Thanks for the help. Come on, Dan.
Ian is stunned by Marinas outburst but doesnt engage further. He waits for Olivers return so they can all talk.
The conversation goes off the rails immediately.
Ask your motherdid our son demand money from her? Marina snaps. Or can she just help the grandkid? Or does she only spend on you?
Were not after Mums money, Ian shoots back. Ask her yourselfwe dont take a penny.
You have plenty of your own money! Marina retorts. Some people still need help!
Marina, what are you saying? Oliver finally loses patience. Did you encourage your son to swindle?
He has always believed Evelyn is poor, so his brothers support her.
Even if thats true, what then? Marina struggles to answer. I just told him that if he visits Grandma and gives her attention, she might write him into the house share.
Its a small effort to come once a week, and then he could inherit something, Oliver says, bewildered.
Youve gone mad, Ian and Alana stare at her, speechless.
Dont give me that look! The moneys from Mum herselfI never told Dan anything! she protests.
Daniel, nodding, says, What? Where does she spend it? He receives a slap from his father and is sent to his room.
They decide not to tell Evelyn, fearing a hypertensive crisis.
They sternly forbid Daniel from visiting and, above all, from taking any money from Grandma.
You know, looking at Daniel I realize he doesnt look like you at all, Oliver, Ian says one evening, thoughtful.
Yeah? So what? Alana shrugs. It happens.
Im sure he reminds me of someone from my past, but I cant place who
Youre hinting he isnt Olivers biological son?
Exactly I never told anyone, but before you and Marinas wedding I saw Evelyn hugging another man. She was terrified and begged me to keep it secret.
Ian keeps the secret for a month, torn about whether to interfere in his brothers personal life.
Alana decides to investigate. Gathering test results isnt hardrelatives start turning up at the house weekly.
Decide yourself whether to show them, she hands Ian the papers.
He looks at her, speechless. She shakes her headOliver isnt the father.
Ian finally tells his brother. Oliver divorces Marina. Evelyn is told Daniel has moved to another city to study, and that the future will reveal the rest.
