Emma signed the last document with a sigh of relief, leaning back in her chair at the solicitors office. The September sun streamed through the windows, glinting off the fresh ink on the deed. The house for her mum was finally herstime to start the move.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Collins,” the solicitor smiled, handing over the paperwork. “The house is officially your mothers now.”
“Thank you,” Emma said, carefully tucking the papers into a folder. “Mums going to be over the moon. Shes always dreamed of having her own place with a garden.”
The house was perfecta two-story with a generous backyard, tucked in a quiet neighborhood near the city center. Margaret, Emmas mum, had spent years in a cramped one-bedroom flat, always complaining about noisy neighbors. Now shed have space to enjoy her retirement in peace.
The next day, Emma and her husband, James, began packing. Margaret flitted around the boxes, clapping her hands in excitement.
“Emma, love, youre an absolute gem!” she kept saying, admiring the spacious rooms. “Its such a lovely homeand the garden! Ill plant roses, maybe an apple tree”
James stayed quiet, hauling furniture and occasionally shooting his wife loaded looks. Hed never been keen on such an expensive purchase, insisting a modest cottage wouldve been enough. But Emma earned most of the moneyher decision, her rules.
“Mum, here are all the keys,” Emma said, handing over a set. “Front door, back gate, everything. Make sure you remember which is which.”
“Of course, darling,” Margaret nodded, tucking them away carefully. “Youre so thoughtful”
By evening, most of the boxes were unpacked, the furniture arranged. Margaret wandered through the house, soaking it all in. Emma watched her, heart fullshed done something good here.
“Now, you just enjoy yourself,” Emma hugged her. “Ill pop round tomorrow to help with the little things.”
“Thank you, love,” Margaret sniffled. “I dont know how Ill ever repay you.”
On the way home, Emma stopped by her mother-in-law Patricias to pick up Jameshed left the car there that morning. Patricia met her at the door with a sour expression.
“So, the palace for your mother is sorted, then?” she said, not bothering with hello.
“We bought her a house, yes,” Emma replied calmly. “She deserves some peace in her later years.”
“Deserves it and what about us?” Patricia huffed. “Weve lived in this crumbling wreck for decadesleaky roof, cracked walls. But youre out here buying mansions for outsiders.”
Emma frowned, trying to make sense of that. Margaret wasnt an “outsider”she was Emmas own mother. But arguing with Patricia was pointlessshed only gotten more bitter lately.
“At least someone in the family got a gift,” Patricia muttered as they left.
Emma brushed it off. Patricia had always been enviousnothing new. The important thing was that her mum was happy.
A week flew by. Emma called Margaret daily, checking in. Her mum was overjoyedsettling in, meeting neighbors, planning the garden.
“Mum, Ill stop by after work tomorrow,” Emma said on Thursday evening. “Ill bring groceriesneed anything else?”
“Of course, love, come by!” Margaret chirped. “Ill show you how Ive arranged everything.”
Friday came, and Emma left work early, stocking up on groceries. Margaret had mentioned her knees were bothering herless walking to shops now, thank goodness.
As she pulled up to the house, something felt off. A washing line in the garden held clothes she didnt recognizemens shirts, kids trousers, bright scarves her mum would never wear.
Parking by the gate, Emma spotted unfamiliar bags and boxes in the yard. On the porch, neatly stacked, were her mums dresses, jumpers, slippers.
Her stomach dropped. She hurried to the front door, trying her keyit didnt turn. The lock was brand new.
“What the hell?” Emma muttered, checking the back doorsame thing. All the locks had been changed.
A neighbor peeked over the fence. “Looking for the owner? She got kicked out three days ago.”
“Kicked out?” Emma stared. “This is my mothers houseI bought it for her!”
“Oh, I know,” the neighbor nodded. “Lovely woman, your mum. Now your mother-in-laws taken overmoved the furniture, changed the locks. Says the house belongs to her now.”
Emmas blood boiled. So Patricia had thrown Margaret out and just moved in? Her kindness had been turned into a bloody land grab.
“Wheres my mum now?” Emma asked, voice shaking.
“Left with her bags, poor thing. Crying, didnt know where to go. Your mother-in-law said the house was for the whole family.”
Emma stormed to the front door just as Patricia swung it open, looking every bit the smug homeownerkeys jingling at her waist, hair perfectly done.
“Oh, youre here,” Patricia said airily. “Were just getting settled.”
“Wheres my mother?” Emma demanded.
“Shes staying on the porch for now,” Patricia shrugged. “Big house, but weve got to sort who goes where. Naturally, Im handling it.”
“What do you mean, sorting? This is my mothers house!”
Margaret appeared from the side of the house, looking exhausted, her dressing gown under a light jacket.
“Emma, love,” she whispered. “I didnt know what to do”
“Mum, whats happening?” Emma pulled her close.
Patricia sniffed. “I told herthe house is for family. Not just her.”
Emmas grip tightened. “Give me the keys. Now.”
“Dont shout at me!” Patricia snapped. “Were familythis is our home too!”
Emma pulled out her phone. “Well see what the police say about that.”
Patricia panicked. “Police? Dont be ridiculous!”
Ten minutes later, officers arrived. The deed was checked, the situation laid out. Their verdict? Patricia had to leaveimmediately.
“This is theft,” the officer said flatly. “Youve got ten minutes to collect your things.”
Emma watched, stone-faced, as Patricia scrambled to pack, still muttering about family duty. A locksmith replaced every lock. Once the police left, Emma hugged her mum tight.
“Im so sorry,” she whispered.
“Not your fault, love,” Margaret sighed. “Whod think someone could do this?”
“Patricia wont set foot here again,” Emma said firmly. “This is your home. No one takes it from you.”
By evening, the house was back in order. Over tea, Margaret fretted. “What about James? Hell be upset”
“Let him be,” Emma said. “After this? His mothers not welcome near us ever again.”
Margaret hesitated. “But family”
“Family doesnt steal from each other,” Emma cut in. “End of story.”
She sipped her tea, calm settling over her. Justice was served. Her mum was home. And Patricia? Shed learned the hard waysome lines dont get crossed.
