Excuse me, but why havent you packed your things yet? said the girl, spinning a keyring around her finger with obvious disdain. I was very clear with DadI need this flat by the weekend. I have plans, you see. I want to do some redecorating, maybe get new furniture. Your granny chic really gets me down.
Helen turned away from the ironing board and carefully rested the iron on its stand. Steam hissed from the appliance, almost seeming to echo the frustration boiling inside her. Standing in the doorway was Alice, her husband Davids daughter from his first marriage. Alice was twenty-three, with heavily applied makeup, a designer bag, and an unshakeable belief that the universe revolved exclusively around her.
Hello, Alice, said Helen, keeping her voice measured. Firstly, its customary to greet people when you enter a room. Secondly, Im not quite sure what move youre talking about. Your father and I have no plans to go anywhere.
Oh, lets skip the lectures, shall we? Alice rolled her eyes and strode into the room, not bothering to remove her chunky trainersleaving grimy tracks on the pale laminate Helen had buffed that very morning. Dad said youd sort it out. Thing is, Ive got nowhere to go. Split up with my boyfriend, couldnt afford the rent on my own, and this is Dads flat. Which means its my flat as well. Makes sense, doesnt it?
Just then, the front door slammed. David had returned. He entered, took in his wifes tense posture and his daughters relaxed sprawl across the armchair, and his face immediately adopted a guilty expression. David was a decent enough man, kind and gentle, but he was mortally afraid of conflictespecially where Alice was concerned. Helen often thought he was helplessly making up for years of guilt over divorcing Alices mother.
Dad! Alice bounded up to peck her fathers cheek. I was just explaining to Helen er that I need the space. My things are in the hallway, just a few boxes so far. You dont mind if I have the big room, do you? And you two squeeze into the smaller one for a bituntil you figure something out.
Helen looked at her husband, waiting for him to clamp down on this nonsenseto chuckle and put Alice in her place.
Helly, listen David gripped his cap. Alice really is in a bad way. Shes got nowhere to stay. Couldnt we, just for nowlet her live here? Theres space enough.
For now? Helen felt a chill prickle along her spine. David, she just demanded that I pack my bags. Shes not asking, shes evicting us.
Oh, dont exaggerate, scoffed Alice. Im not kicking out Dad. Dads at home. But you, Helen, youre basically well, youre no one. Dad bought this flat before you married, right? So legally, youve no claim. Youre only here because youre on the registertemporarily, if I recall? So lets not make a scene. I deserve to be comfortable in my own fathers place. I have every right.
Helen looked steadily at her husband. She and David had been together for eight years. When they first met, David already owned this old two-bed in Londona tired place with threadbare wallpaper, leaky pipes and a kitchen that remembered Margaret Thatcher. Helen had sold her own tiny flat in the suburbs and sank every penny, not to mention heart and soul, into turning this wreck into a home. She paid for renovations, new appliances, beautiful furniture. Legally the flat was Davidsthe paperwork had seemed unnecessary, a sign of trust back then: Were family. Whats yours is mine.
David, are you just going to stand there? Helen asked quietly. Your daughter says I dont matter here. Do you agree?
David flushed, looking from his daughter to his wife.
Dont start, Hel. Alice is upsetshes just dumped someone. She doesnt mean it like that. She needs our support. Let her have the lounge for a bit. Shes blood, after all.
Alice grinned in triumph and flopped back onto the armchair, pulling out her phone.
Sorted then! By the way, is dinner soon? Im starving, but, ohno onions, please. I cant stand them.
And that was when the nightmare truly began.
Helen spent the first week trying to keep the peace, telling herself that Alice was simply stressed, in need of patience and understanding. But Alice acted not as a guest, nor even as a daughter, but as though she owned the place and the current residents were nothing but irritating tenants.
Alice would monopolise the bathroom for two hours each morning, just as Helen and David were rushing to get ready for work. Her skincare bottles crowded all the shelves, shoving Helens expensive creams aside or onto the floor. The kitchen was chaosunwashed mugs on every surface, crumbs on the sofa, pizza boxes everywhere.
Alice, would you mind cleaning up after yourself, please? Helen ventured, returning home exhausted one night to find the sink overflowing with dirty plates.
My manicures fresh, Alice called from the lounge, without looking up from the telly. Anyway, isnt it easier for you? Dont you do all the cooking? Its a womans job to keep the homenot nag everyone else.
David, in these moments, was always fixing the car, or staying late at work. He gradually disappeared from the fray, leaving Helen utterly alone with the monster theyd let in.
It came to a head a month later, on a Saturday. Helen had planned a day of preservingjars and jams and vegetables all laid out. She awoke to find the kitchen occupied not just by Alice, but two dubious-looking lads. Beer bottles were scattered across her beloved oak table and the ashtray was overflowingdespite her no-smoking rule.
Good morning, Helen said, icily. Alice, whats going on?
Oh, youre up, Alice waved lazily. Meet Vlad and Danny. We just hung out a bit. Dont stress, we were quiet.
No one smokes in my house, and I didnt invite your friends in.
One of the lads smirked, Chill out, missus. Were off. Alice said her folks were a laugh, but youre a right warden.
Once theyd left, Helen couldnt take any more. She marched into the bedroom, where David was pretending to sleep, and whipped off the duvet.
Get up. We need to talk. Either she follows our rules or she moves out. Im not your daughters maid for her and her mates. They smoked in my kitchen!
David sat up, rubbing his face.
Hel, what do you want me to do? Chuck my own daughter out? Shes my only child.
And Im your wife! Helen cried. Or am I really no one, as she says?
The row brought Alice to the doorway, defiant as ever.
Dad, tell her to shut up! Im sick of the nagging and bossing about. This is your flat, Dad! Youre in charge. Why should some freeloader tell me what to do in my own childhood home?
Freeloader? Helen froze. Something inside her snappedthe last thread of patience and love that held her marriage together broke.
Yes, freeloader! Alice shouted. You didnt have anywhere to liveyou moved right in. If not for Dad, youd be under a bridge. So keep quiet and dont make trouble. In fact, Dad, maybe you two should move out to the cottage. Fresher air and all that. Ill stay here. Quicker for work, and my love life looks up.
David blinked in confusion. To the cottage? But theres no heating, its two hours to town
Get the heating installed! Alice huffed. Helens on a good salaryshes chief accountant. Let her prove her worth. And sign the flat over to me, Dadmake it official. Who knowsHelen might con you and nick the place.
Helen fixed her husband with a steady gaze. She waited. This was the moment of truth: if David even considered this madness, she knew she was done.
David finally said, Alice, love signing it over, thats a big thing. And Helen did put a lot into the place
She hung some wallpaperbig deal, Alice mocked. Thats nothing. Dad, you love me, right? You want me to be happy? Im your only daughter. Wives can come and go.
David fell silent. He didnt say no. He didnt set boundaries. He just stood there, uncertain.
Helen exhaled slowly. Suddenly, she felt an incredible calm, as if shed dropped a heavy rucksack shed carried for years.
All right, said Helen, clearly and firmly.
Father and daughter stared at her.
All right what? Alice asked suspiciously.
Ive heard you. Youre right, Alice. Legally, this flat is your fathers. I do not own these four walls. I am nobody here.
There you go! Alice crowed. See, Dad? She finally gets it.
Ill move out, Helen continued, locking eyes with David. Today, in fact. Since Im nobody and all. I wont get in your way. You can finally have your happiness.
David jumped to his feet. Helen, wait Where will you go? Why so suddenly? Lets sit downtalk this through!
No need, David. Alice wants this flat. You agree. That makes me surplus to requirements. Ill pack now.
Helen left the room. Alice squealed with victory and flung her arms round her dad.
Dad, youre the best! Well have such fun here, honestly. That old bores been holding you back for ages.
Helen phoned a moving service.
Hello, removals? I need a lorry in two hours. A big one, with four men Yes, theres a lot of furniture.
The next three hours stunned David and Alice.
Helen wasnt just packing an overnight bag. She was systematically packing up the flat.
The movers first took away the giant flatscreen telly in the loungethe one Alice watched endlessly.
What are you doing? Thats ours! Alice shrieked.
Not so, dear, Helen replied calmly, ticking items off her list. I bought this on my credit card, paid off myself. Here are the receipts.
Next went the leather sofa. Then the entire bedroom suite. Then they started disconnecting all the built-in kitchen appliances.
David rushed about after the movers, clutching his head.
Helen! Youre pulling the kitchen apart! How are we meant to cook? Wherell we keep food?
Well, the walls are yours, David, Helen replied, smiling a chilly, unfamiliar smile. The flats yours. But the contents are mine. Dishwasher, oven, hob, extractorall bought with my bonuses. Receipts filed, of course. I am an accountantI keep things organised, after all.
This is looting! Alice shrieked, as her favourite armchair was carried out.
No, its reclaiming property, Helen replied. You said I dont belong here, that nothing here is mine except wallpaper. Ill leave the wallpaper, but Ill take the curtains, lights, and carpetsIll need them for my new place.
What new place? David blurted out.
The one I bought three years ago, during construction, said Helen matter-of-factly. Ive been letting it out to pay off the mortgage. Got the keys last week. Only unfurnishedbut now Ill have plenty.
David slumped onto a battered old stool (one of the only things left in the kitchen, from his bachelor days).
You bought a flat and never said?
Why would I? Helen shrugged. Things seemed fine here. It was an investment for our retirement, to rent out eventually. But as were retiring separately, I have somewhere to go.
Alice stood in the shell of the loungeno plush curtains, no thick rug, no furniture. The room looked cold and bare, returning instantly to the soulless place it had been eight years before. Bright spaces on the walls showed where Helens paintings (also removed) had hung.
Dad! Do something! Shes robbing us! Call the police! Alice cried, almost hysterical.
Please do, Helen said without emotion. The police will look at the documentation, check the receipts and leave. This was jointly acquired property, but I can prove I bought it. Sadly, David, you spent your pay on child support, the car, and Alices whims. I never minded, but my charity ends here.
In four hours, the place was empty. All that remained was the saggy sofa in the box room too ugly to keep, an ancient table, and a couple of chairs. Helen even took the washing machine, expertly detaching the hoses.
In the doorway, Helen pulled on her coat. She looked not like a victim, but like a queen leaving a dull party.
Ill leave the keys on the sideoh wait, I took it, so, on the floor then, she said, tossing the keys onto the bare laminate.
Helen David stared at her in horror. Dont go. Well sort itAlice can rent somewhere. Ill buy new thingstake out a loan! I love you, come home!
No, David. You dont love meyou love being comfortable. You liked that I managed everything, made life easy. But the moment your daughter trampled over me, you said nothing. That was your choice. Alice wanted this flatlet her fill it. Enjoy each other.
How are we supposed to live? Alice whimpered, finally registering the gravity of the situation. Theres not even a bed! And the fridge is gone!
But youve got your precious flat, Helen said. No one to boss you around now. Congratulationsabsolute freedom.
She stepped outside and didnt look back.
Three months passed. Helen settled into her new flat. The furniture fit perfectly, curtains matched, and she savoured the quiet and peace. No mess, no rudeness, no one demanding dinner. She joined a yoga class, improved her wardrobe, and for the first time in years, felt truly alive.
David called every day at first. He begged her to come home, saying Alice had left after only two days (no internetHelen had taken the router, too), was now crashing with friends and demanding money for rent.
Then the calls became complaintshe didnt know how to call a plumber for a leaking tap, didnt know how to wash shirts by hand, was lonely and miserable.
Helen, I was such a fool, he sobbed on the line. Ill take out a loanbuy all new furniture. Please, just come back. I cant cope without you.
David, she replied at last, it was never about furniture. It was the silence when I was told I was no one and you said nothing. I dont wish to be nobody. I want a life of my own, not a role as a cook, cleaner and bank card. This is goodbye. Im filing for divorce.
She hung up, and blocked his number.
That evening, Helen sat on her balcony, a cup of tea in hand, gazing out at the city lights, and realised that sometimes losing everything is the only way to gain what matters mostyourself. A flat is just four walls. Home is a place where you are valued and respected.
