**Diary Entry 18th June**
I woke this morning in an unfamiliar placea care home on the outskirts of Brighton. My daughter-in-law, Emily, had arranged it all meticulously, but shed overlooked one crucial thing: my will.
Consciousness returned to me suddenly. My eyes fluttered open to a sterile, hospital-like room. My head throbbed, my temples pulsing with pain, and my memory was a blank slate. How had I ended up here? What had happened?
Closing my eyes, I tried to piece together the past. My flat in Manchestersmall, modest, but cosyflashed before me. It had been my late husband Thomass, left to him by the factory where he worked. After he passed, my son Gregory and I lived there peacefully for years. Warmth and understanding filled those walls.
Then Emily arrived.
The tension was instant. She wrinkled her nose at the furniture”These antiques belong in a museum,” shed scoffedand sneered at the curtains, calling them “post-war relics.” I bit my tongue. Every piece held memories of Thomas.
“This is my home,” I snapped. “If you dont like it, the doors open.”
Emily took it as a challenge. She bided her time, then struck. The next day, she demanded I get rid of my books. “This place is a dust trap!” she cried. “And were expecting a babyits unhealthy!”
I lost my temper. “Those books arent just paper. If dust bothers you, clean. But my library stays. And youll wait for me to be gone before redecorating.”
The rows became frequent. Eventually, Gregory, worn down, moved out with Emily to a rented flat in Leeds. But he visited often. One evening, awkwardly, he pleaded, “Mum, please try with Emily. We need you.”
“I have tried,” I said. “But I think she thrives on conflict.”
“Well sort it,” he muttered, though neither of us knew how.
Then I met Arthura kind, lonely widower in the park. For the first time in years, I felt light again. He was honest, warm, nothing like Emily. I invited him to dinner to introduce him to Gregory and Emily.
“Gregory, Emily, this is Arthur. Hes moving in with me,” I announced.
Arthur smiled. “And youre welcome to my flatits small, but rent-free.”
Emily exploded. “Are you joking? Were crammed into a one-bed, and youre playing house?” She stormed out. Gregory, red-faced, mumbled, “Hormones,” and hurried after her.
I sat there, stunned.
The memory cut off with a sharp pain. Where was I? How had I gotten here?
The door opened. A nurse in white checked my pulse without a word.
“Please,” I croaked. “Where am I? Whats happened?”
“You dont remember?” Her voice was icy. “You attacked an elderly woman. She barely survived. Youre lucky it didnt go further.”
“Thats absurd!” I cried. “Id never hurt anyone!”
She ignored me, injecting something before leaving.
Later, a woman about my ageMargaretleaned in. “Youre new, arent you? This isnt a hospital. Its a care home. Most of us arent here because were illits family disputes.”
I froze. “But I have my flat, my pension. Gregory wouldnt”
“Everyone here had something,” she said gently. “Dementia, aggressioneasy to fake.”
“Im not ill!” I hissed.
“Think. Anything odd before this?”
Then it hit me. Emily had started bringing mealsespecially those scones I couldnt resist. After eating, Id feel foggy, drowsy
“Its her,” I whispered. “But Gregory Arthur theyll find me.”
Margaret shook her head. “No calls, no letters. Were erased. The paperworks all legal.”
“I wont stay. Ill escape.”
“Not yet,” she warned. “That nurse, Irene? Shes dangerous.”
My blood ran cold, but I gripped Margarets hand. “Well get out. Whatever it takes.”
She nodded. “Theres a kind nurseDaisy. Shell help, but we need someone on the outside.”
“Arthur!” I gasped. “Hes ex-military. Hell come.”
The next evening, Daisy slipped me a mobile. “Two minutes. Hurry.”
Hands shaking, I dialled. Arthur answered on the second ring.
“Its me,” I breathed. “Come quick. Please believe me.”
Within hours, sirens wailed outside. Police swarmed the building. Arthur burst in, pulling me into a crushing hug.
“Emily lied,” he choked out. “Said you were too ill for visitors. Gregory was awayI didnt know.”
I returned home with Arthur. Margaret stayed with us until she found her feet. When Gregory returned and learned the truth, he was devastated.
The care home faced investigation. Emily was arrestedgiving birth in custody. Gregory took their son, a joy to Arthur and me.
Later, Gregory divorced her. Arthur moved in properly, vowing no one would hurt me again.
**Lesson learned:** Trust is precious, but so is vigilance. Even family can betray youbut true love, once found, never lets go.
