My mother-in-laws voice thundered through the room: Listen here, you wont be getting this flat.
She was always the loudest, never afraid to make her feelings known. I dont care what tricks you pulled with Granddad to get him to sign it over, but you wont end up with his flat. And another thing, youll vanish from my sons life. Hes finally met a proper young lady from a respectable family, so you and those children of yours need to disappear. Do you understand?
For ten years, Id looked after my husbands grandfather, living in a rented place with my children. His sister, Margaret, also lived with the old man on and off. My mother-in-law had no time for her own father she and her husband never saw eye to eye. I never had a degree, never climbed the career ladder. Every spare moment I devoted to caring for Granddad and raising my kids.
My husband deceived me constantly. His familys endless intrigues left him perpetually on edge. Other women were never serious a man with children and no property, of course hed always run back to me in the end. I forgave him, for the childrens sake. We could never buy our own place most of our money vanished into rent and Granddads care. When Margaret appeared, it was only to beg Granddad for part of his pension, wringing her hands about her dire finances. Yet, somehow, she and her family managed holidays every summer, even traded up their car from time to time.
Five years ago, Granddad left the flat to me. I remember his words:
Youve become closer than anyone in this family. My grandson betrayed me; the flat would end up with his mother or sister. I want my great-grandchildren to have a better life. This is your reward for your care, so you cant say you wasted your life looking after me.
No one else knew about his will. The less people knew, the more peacefully they’d sleep, he said. When Granddads health declined further, suddenly the family found their conscience. They started popping round, asking after his health. Even offered to help. First time theyd shown interest in years! Granddad wasnt daft. He saw right through them and only ever chuckled quietly to me.
For the first time, I had moments to breathe. You cant imagine the feeling of walking the streets alone in London, just myself no pram, no children. I cherished the freedom. Granddad didnt last much longer. I wept bitterly for that brave old soul. And almost before the funeral wreaths wilted, my mother-in-law and Margaret began putting the pressure on my husband:
Youll give the flat to Margaret. Shes been living there for ages, its her home. Then you can have your mothers place later. All you need to do is renounce your claim. Youve got everything to gain, in time.
He believed his mothers promises, agreeing to step aside. I never put much faith in those promises: my mother-in-law cared only for Margaret and her children, no one else. What stung most was spending ten years caring for Granddad, only for the family to ignore his life and fight savagely over what hed left.
But I respected Granddads wisdom. Hed sorted everything out with the solicitor well beforehand.
That evening, my husband came home from work and began packing his things.
Where are you going? I asked.
Im finished, he said. Ill be divorcing you and the kids. I only stayed so youd take care of Granddad. Now hes gone, hes your responsibility. Im not paying rent again. Ive had someone else for ages, he declared, flicking a last, careless wave as he walked out.
So, I started packing myself, searching for work, ready for a new start. A few days later, the whole family descended on me Margaret, her husband and children among them. They shouted accusations, cutting each other off. My mother-in-law outshouted them all, bellowing:
Enough! You listen here! First, youre not getting the flat. I dont know what you did to trick Granddad into leaving it to you, but you wont have it. Well prove you swindled him. Second, youre to disappear from my sons life. Hes found a lovely girl from a decent family, and theyll be having a baby soon. So you and your children must be gone. Do you understand? Listen carefully: that flat goes to my daughter, and you leave my son alone!
I looked at them all and felt a new strength. Do you know what Ive realised? I asked, calm as ever. That I can finally throw all of you out of my life.
I shut the door, shutting out their shouting. My children and I have a real home now I found a job, we have our own flat, and Im forever grateful to Granddad for his kindness. My husband vanished from our lives, and now we can be happy. Ive no doubt that everything will be all right.
