“Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.” “Here you go again. Now youll throw this in my face forever.”
Tanya and Oliver had been married for ten years.
Tanya had a mother and a stepfather whod raised her since she was three.
Her younger brother, Ethan, wasnt his biological child either.
Only her little sister, Natalie, was his by blood. But he never treated them differently.
When Tanya married and moved in with Oliver, Natalie was eight.
Oliver got along with her stepfather straight awayno surprise, really. Nicholas could chat warmly even with the neighbours kids. It didnt matter to him whether he was talking to a child, a teenager, or a grown man.
He spoke as an equal, found common ground.
Oliver couldnt say anything bad about his mother-in-law either, but he and Nicholas grew close quickly, and soon Oliver was calling him “Dad.”
His own father had passed away.
His mother had gone to stay with her grandmother after falling illand never came back. She left the house to her son.
Tanya and Oliver did it up just how they liked. Nicholas helped. Tanyas mother grumbledshe didnt understand why her daughter would leave the city for a village.
“Mum, its a town. A proper town. There are even five-storey buildings in the centre.”
“But youre in a house in the countryside. The outskirts still count as the countryside”
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter were growing up. After university, Ethan chose to stay in the city, far from home. The younger sister married but had no place of their own, so they rented. Her parents covered the rent.
“Let them live with us,” Nicholas told his wife.
“I dont mind, but we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Why did you change jobs?”
“Weve been over this. The kids earn their own money now. Working two jobs is too much for me, especially since Ive been poorly. Weve got fewer expenses anyway.”
“Natalie needs a flat.”
“Shes got a husband.”
“Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.”
“Here you go again. Now youll throw this in my face forever.”
“Choose! You need to work to pay for our daughters flat!”
“What choice is there? Work myself to death or what?”
“Or leave.”
“I cant keep working like thisyou know that.”
“Then Im filing for divorce. Go. Youve got that house.”
“That house? Have you seen it? What state do you think its in after all these years?”
“I dont care. You never wanted to sell it.”
Silently, Nicholas packed a few essentials.
“Take everything, or Ill throw the rest out.”
“Weve lived most of our lives. Youre retiring next year. Im sixty-three.”
“You shouldve married someone younger. I shouldnt have agreed back thenwhod have taken me with two kids in tow? You were just a burden.”
“Youre talking about the children? Fine. Ill go. Ill collect the rest within the week. Just wait”
“Mum, wheres Dad?”
“You know hes not your real father.”
“What difference does that make? Hes my dad, and Ive got no other.”
“Weve split up. Natalie and her husband are moving into the flat.”
“What? Wheres Dad?”
“Back in his village.”
“And Natalie agreed to send him there, weak as he is? How could you?”
“Why do you care so much?”
“Its not right. Does Ethan know?”
“Why tell him? Hes far away. Why are you even here?”
“Just visiting. Were on holiday tomorrow. Then well pop by Ethanshes nearby.”
“What do you want from me? I need money for repairsyour sisters moving in soon, and shes pregnant. So dont expect anything. Did you bring the kids? Im not babysitting.”
“We dont need anything. Weve got money, the kids are coming with us. Thats not why were here. When were you going to tell us about the divorce?”
“Why should you care? Hes only Natalies real father.”
“When he loved and provided for us, he was family, but now hes a stranger? Thats not right, Mum”
“Dont you dare judge me! I did everything for you!”
Oliver stepped back inside. Hed left when Tanya started arguing with her mother, realising Nicholas was already gonefor good. Hed barely managed to reach him. Nicholas never carried his phone, leaving it at home. But this time, he answered.
“Of course its not my place to judge. Hes the one who did everything for us. Time will tell.”
“Tanya, lets go.” Oliver tugged her hand. “Ive got all the details. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandads.”
“You found out? Lets go.”
“Took some persuading. He didnt want to say.”
“Youre brilliant. I never even knew the address. They never told us, and we never visited.”
Nicholas met them by the old house.
“Grandad, does a wicked stepmother live here?” the grandchildren asked excitedly.
“No. She stayed in the city.”
Tanya and Oliver laughed. The joke landed, though Nicholas was in low spirits. He was glad to see them but couldnt hide how he really felt.
“Why did you come looking for me?”
“How can you live here?! We came to sort things out. Why didnt you tell us straight away?”
“Why bother you? Your mother said her pieceI understood.”
“I understood her too. How will you manage here? Its summer now, but winter? Did you bring all your things?”
“Everything. Theres nothing here but old dishes. But Ill manage. If this is how it is, so be it.”
“Of course you will. Pack your things, Dad. Youre coming home with us.”
“Yes, Dad, come on. Well fetch the rest later. Just take what you need.”
“I cant. Im not alone.”
“We can see that. We never got round to getting a dog. The kids have been asking.”
“Someone dumped himstill a pup”
“Bring him too. Hell guard the house.”
Nicholas didnt crybut the tears came anyway.
“Dad, were leaving tomorrow for ten days. Youre in charge. Heres your room. Theres food, the shops close, weve left money. Well stop by Ethans. Just keep your phone on”
“Dad, were back!” Tanya called as soon as she stepped inside.
Oliver and the kids followed.
But no one answered.
Instead of Nicholas, Tanyas mother appeared.
“Mum, what are you doing here?! Wheres Dad?!”
“I came to check on the houseyou were away,” she said, as if nothing was wrong. “And then I find a stranger here! With a dog, no less”
“Wheres Dad?!” Oliver demanded.
“Natalie and her husband have moved into my flat. Ill live with you. Its closer to town, and its nice here.”
“Are you listening? Where is he?!”
Oliver and Tanya were lost.
“How should I know?” her mother sneered. “Probably where he was before.”
“Darling, mother-in-law. Youve overstayed your welcome. Were home now, so”
“Tanya! How dare he speak to me like that?”
“Mum, its time to go. Dont bother bringing your things here. Pack up and leave.”
They found Nicholas back at the old house. He lay on the sofa, the puppy asleep on the rug.
“You again? Why? Im fine here. Just having a nap,” he said, sitting up. “Theres someone else living there now.”
“Your ex-wife isnt staying in my house. Even if you wont come with us, shes not welcome.”
“She thinks otherwise. Freed up the flat for Natalie.”
“Lets go. Get in the carthe kids brought you presents. Dont forget the dog. Leave the rest for now. Well sort it later.”
“Hes already waitingjumped in himself,” Oliver said. “Tanya, Natalies callingyou left your phone in the car.”
“So Mums made her move, or just stirred trouble. I wont answer yet.”
Nicholas ended up living with Tanya and Oliver. His ex-wife never showed her face again. Ethan preferred visiting them over his motherthere was no room for his family there.
“Were moving,” he announced
