– Jamie, we’re off to your grandad’s, he’s a bit under the weather, – I told my son, and he immediately brightened up. He loved spending time with his grandad.
Arthur Bennett lived alone; my mum passed away five years ago. He was always tinkering with electronics, inventing little gadgets, and both Jamie and I enjoyed joining him. That passion for making and fixing things had certainly been passed down through the family, and Grandad was rather proud of it.
My wife, Emily, and I have been married twelve years and we live with her mum in her three-bedroom flat in Manchester. My mother-in-law, Judith, has never really liked me. She thinks Im too easy-going, a bit clumsy, and that my workfixing household appliancesis some silly hobby. Our room is constantly filled with bits of metal and lengths of wire, much to her annoyance.
Despite this, everything in the flat works like a dream, but she never gives me any credit for it.
– At the end of the day, you can always call an actual repairman if something goes wrong, – she’d grumble to her daughter, but Emily wouldnt join in.
– Mum, that’s not fair. You live here in comfort without a care in the world because Jamie fixes and checks everything. You don’t appreciate how lucky you are because nothing ever breaks down.
Id always stay polite and never rose to Judiths little jabs. Emily and I got on well together, and I adored her and Jamie. Judith, on the other hand, wasnt satisfied:
– Jamie, you could at least open your own workshop. Be your own boss for once.
– Well, someones got to keep things ticking over for everyone else, – I’d reply, and leave the matter at that.
Time went by. Then one day, Judith bumped into a handsome young man at the front door to our building. He unlocked the door and politely held it open for her.
– Thank you, – Judith smiled. – Are you new round here?
– Yes, I just bought a flat on the third floor this week. Well be neighbours.
– Third floor? Dont tell me it’s number thirty-seven, the one opposite ours?
– Thats right. Its thirty-seven.
– Knew it! Tamara was sellingmoved off to Devon to be near her son. Well, that makes us neighbours, – she looked him up and down approvingly.
He was tall, athletic, with blue eyes and a charming grin.
– Now, *thats* the sort of son-in-law I should have, rather than hapless Jamie, – she mused. – Nice to meet you, Im Judith Price.
– Oliver, – he nodded, extending a hand. – Pop in anytime. Im on my own. How about you?
– I live with my daughter, her husband, and their boy
The next morning, Judith left for work. Sure enough, Oliver was standing next to his car and offered her a lift.
– Morning, Judith! Heading to work? Let me give you a ride.
She climbed in without a second thought, and they chatted all the way. She learned that he was in business for himself, though he didnt say exactly what.
That evening she wouldn’t stop talking to Emily: her new neighbour, his business, his car, the flat!
– Emily, you should see Oliver, hes gorgeous. Got himself a business, a car, just bought a lovely flat.
Emily wasnt particularly fussed until Oliver knocked at our door one evening while I was out with Jamie at Grandads house. Emily opened the door and was taken aback: there stood Oliver, tall, bare-chested, in just a pair of shorts.
– Sorry, just popping in as I am. Evening, could I possibly borrow a bit of salt? Forgot to buy some and the shops are shut
– No problem, – Emily replied, dashing off to fetch the salt.
– Thanks, Ill bring it back, – he grinned, but she just waved him off.
Just then, Judith popped her head into the hall.
– Oh, its our new neighbour! Come in, come in Emily, dont leave him on the doorstep!
– No, Im alright, just needed some salt, thank you. Good evening, – and off he went.
From then on, Judith and Emilys conversations revolved around Oliver. Judith talked up how Oliver helped her carry her bags up the stairs. Emily mentioned how he once gave her a lift to work. Emily didnt notice how quickly she was spending time in his flat, and soon enough, she and Oliver became lovers. She didnt feel the least bit guilty about it either.
Judith did her best to cover for her daughter with me. Meanwhile, one day Jamie was coming back from school and saw his mum coming out of the neighbours flat and was surprised.
– Mum, did you go to the wrong flat? he asked, confused.
– No, love, I just ran out of salt, went to borrow some
When Jamie ran into the flat, he went to the kitchen cupboard.
– Mum, we’ve got three tubs of salt! You mustve missed them.
In his innocence, Jamie told me about the incident. Id already begun to sense something was off between Emily and me. Shed changed a lot: paying more attention to herself, buying new things, switching her perfume. Not long after, I realised the truth: she was having an affair with the neighbour. Judith, of course, was on her side, and I didnt know what to do.
– Should I cause a row? But what about Jamie? No, I have to put up with it for my son’s sake. Perhaps shes just making a mistake and itll pass
Meanwhile, Judith seemed delighted, always picking at me.
– I always told you, Jamie, to open your own business, get a car! Maybe then your wife wouldnt need lifts from neighbours.
But Emily was infatuated. One evening, she finally had the talk Id dreaded.
– Jamie we need to get divorced.
– What about our son? What about Jamie?
– Olivers a good man, hell be fine with him, raise him as his own, – she said firmly.
– As if! Jamies got a father and thats me. So hell be living with me.
The next day Jamie proudly told me about the games console Oliver had given him. I asked,
– How about living with me at Grandads for a while?
– Yes please, Dad! he grinned, delighted.
– Absolutely not! Hes staying here, – Emily insisted.
It was hard to explain the whole mess to Jamie, but he was savvy. He made me promise to come and visit him.
That weekend, I took Jamie to the park. I tried to explain.
– Son, sometimes this kind of thing happens between parents
– Its alright, Dad. I get it. Its all down to that Oliver. Hes stolen Mum away from us
I didnt know what to say.
The next weekend, Jamie and I went walking again. He shared,
– Dad, I gave the console back to Oliver and I dont go to his flat anymore. He upset me, gave me a clip round the ear when Mum wasnt looking and told me to go to my granny.
– Is that true, son? And what did your mum say?
– Havent told her yet. To be honest, my biggest dream is for you to come home
He just looked at me, tears in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Emily had thrown herself headlong into her romance and forgotten about everything else, living at Olivers flat. Jamie was left mostly to himself; Judith thought only of her own affairs.
– Come on, lets go home, Jamie. We need to sort this out Oliver has no right to treat you like that.
We went back to the flat. Judith was having tea in the kitchen and Emily was nowhere to be seen.
– Oh, its the ex-son-in-law, – Judith muttered. – What brings you here? By the way, the washing machines on the blink. Can you take a look? Oliver hasnt got a clue with these things
– Judith, why have you let things get to a point where Oliver feels he can lay a hand on my son?
– When did this supposedly happen? Absolute nonsense. Jamie, whats going on?
Jamie told her the truth: three days ago, Oliver had smacked him hard on the back of the head and pushed him in the hallway.
– He said, Off you go to your granny, youre just underfoot here.
– I dont believe it! Judith protested, and I stormed off next door.
Oliver answered, looking surprised to see me.
– Whats the problem? Emily appeared behind him.
– The problem is you have no right to lay a finger on my son.
– Oh, come on, all I did was tap him on the back of the head. So what?
Emily stared at him, not believing her ears.
– Oliver, is that true?
– What’s the big deal? Hes a lad, not a girl. He needs to toughen up. Boys need to be brought up this way. I’d rather he lived with his father anyway I dont like your son, – he said bluntly. Emily was speechless; Judith stood there with her mouth open.
I landed a good punch on Olivers nose, then went back to our flat and decided Jamie was coming with me. Suddenly, Judith and Emily came rushing in, both in tears.
– Jamie, Im so sorry, – Emily wept. – Why didnt you tell me right away?
– Mum, youd never have believed me. Remember when I told you Uncle Oliver got cross and you said I was making it up?
We talked for ages. Judith begged me to forgive Emily. Emily sobbed:
– Im so, so sorry, Jamie. I dont know what came over me. Please, for Jamies sake, forgive me. Dont go, I beg you. Stay
Jamie just looked at me, his eyes brimming with tears, and I couldnt leave.
– Alright, Ill stay Lets see how things go, – and Jamie ran to me, hugging me tight.
– Dad, youre the best. Please, forgive Mum.
– Jamie, Im sorry too, – Judith interjected. – Maybe Im the guiltiest of all. Its my mistake, and Ill do my best to put things right.
After a little while, things started falling into place again. The flat was peaceful once more, the washing machine worked, and Judith was pleased shed managed to fix her mistake. Emily did everything she could to make it up to me. Shed even started comparing Oliver and me in her head, and seemed more convinced than ever that I was the better man.
Thank you for your time and support. I wish you all the best in life!
