Our daughter, Alice, lived for five years with our relativesmy sister Helen and her husband, Richard. Their son had married early and moved off to another city. Helen herself suggested that Alice come live with them, just as we were about to arrange a place for her in student accommodation. We agreed on a monthly payment and Alice moved in with Helen. I sent the money every month without fail, even during the holidays when Alice came home.
We also regularly brought Helen the fruits of our labour from our allotment and vegetable patch. We would bring over potatoes, onions, beetroot, carrots, and cabbage. There were apples, jars of jam and pickled cucumbers toosometimes even cuts of lamb or beef.
Of course, our daughter ate some of these, but most of it went to Helen and Richard. They would happily treat other relatives and friends to our produce. Alice usually made her own meals, and nobody in Helen’s house ever cooked for her.
Whenever the cost of utilities crept up, Helen immediately raised the rent. I wanted Alice to move elsewhere, but she was under my sisters watch, and somehow that felt safer.
Each summer for five years, Helen and Richard would visit us. They never left without their car packed to the brim with bags of fresh produce and preserves. They were delighted with themselves. But then Alice finished her studies, got her degree, and married. That autumn, Helen rang and asked when Id be bringing over her potatoes, meat, and the rest.
I was taken aback and told her, If you need anything, youre welcome to come by. Its only ninety miles and youve got a car!
Helen hung up. I assumed the line had simply gone dead. But two hours later, Richard called, shouting at meaccusing me and my husband of taking advantage of them and then forgetting them. He claimed we hadnt paid them a penny over the years. Apparently, Alice had often done her own laundry, and they believed washing clothes should only happen once a week.
I didnt even mention the value of the food and goods we had given them over five years. Later, my sister and her husband showed up at my place, demanding money. As it happened, my husband was at work. Theyd driven over in their own car. When I refused to give them anything, they began wandering through the garden, trying to take whatever they fancied.
Thankfully, I rang my neighbour, who called the police. Helen and Richard were taken down to the station, given a fine and released.
Now, the rest of the family is painting me as some kind of villain. Helens telling everyone that she fed Alice for nothing during her university years, let her live rent-free, and that I nearly got them locked up. Apparently, Im the cruel and ungrateful one.
