“Dont forget youve lived in my flat your whole life.”
“Oh, here we go again. Is this going to be your favourite jab for the rest of our marriage?”
Tanya and Oliver had been married for ten years.
Tanya had a mother and a stepfather, Roger, whod raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, James, wasnt Rogers biological child eitheronly her little sister, Natalie, was. But Roger never treated them any differently.
When Tanya married and moved in with Oliver, Natalie was just eight.
Oliver got on with Roger straight away. Not surprisingRoger could chat with anyone, whether they were toddlers, teens, or grown-ups. He spoke to everyone as an equal, found common ground, and genuinely listened.
Oliver couldnt say a bad word about his mother-in-law either, but with Roger, he bonded instantly, even calling him “Dad.” His own father had passed away years ago.
Olivers mother had gone to her elderly mothers when she fell illand never came back. The house was left to him.
Tanya and Oliver had done it up entirelyRoger helped. Tanyas mother grumbled. She didnt understand why her daughter would move *from London* to a *village*.
“Mum, its a market town. There are even five-storey buildings in the centre!”
“Youre in a *cottage*. That makes it the countryside.”
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter were growing up. James, after university, stayed in the city, far from home. Natalie married, and with no place of their own, they started rentingpaid for by her parents.
“Let them live with us,” Roger said to his wife.
“Fine, but we need to talk. Why did you quit your second job?”
“Weve been over this. The kids are grown. Im knackered, and after that bout of pneumonia, its worse. Expenses arent as high now.”
“Natalie needs a flat.”
“Shes got a husband.”
“*Dont forget youve lived in my flat your whole life.*”
“Here we go. Is this your new mantra?”
“Choose. Work to buy her a place”
“Or what? Whats the choice, exactly?”
“Or leave.”
“You know I cant work like that anymore.”
“Then Im filing for divorce. Go. Youve got that house.”
“The house? Have you *seen* it? What state its in after all these years?”
“Not my problem. You never wanted to sell.”
Roger packed a bag in silence.
“Take everything, or Ill bin the rest.”
“Weve spent our lives together. You retire next year. Im sixty-three.”
“Shouldve married younger. Wasted my time with youwhod take a woman with two kids? Baggage.”
“Youre calling *them* baggage? Ill go. Ill get the rest later. Just wait”
“Mum, wheres Dad?”
“You know hes not your real father.”
“So? Hes the only dad Ive got.”
“Weve split. Natalie and her husband are moving in here.”
“*What?* Wheres Dad?”
“Back in his village.”
“And Natalie agreed to send him there? How could you?”
“Why do you care?”
“Its cruel. Does James know?”
“Why bother him? Hes far away. Why are *you* here?”
“Just visiting. Were off on holiday tomorrow. Then well pop by Jameshes nearby.”
“What do you want from me? I need money for renovationsyour sisters pregnant, theyre moving soon. So dont expect handouts. Brought the kids? Im not babysitting.”
“We didnt come for anything. Weve got money, the kids are coming with us. But when were you planning to tell us about the divorce?”
“Why should you care? Hes only *her* real father.”
“When he loved and provided, he was *our* father. Now hes a stranger? Thats not right, Mum.”
“Dont you judge me! I did my best!”
Oliver stepped back in. Hed left when the argument started, realising Roger was truly gone. Hed barely managed to call himRoger never carried his phone, left it at home. But luckily, he answered.
“Of course I shouldnt judge. *He* was the one who did his best. Time will show.”
“Tanya, love, lets go.” Oliver tugged her hand. “Ive sorted it. Kidsin the car. Were off to Grandpas.”
“You found out? Lets go.”
“Took some prying. He didnt want to say.”
“Youre brilliant. I never knew the addressthey never told us, we never visited.”
Roger met them by the old cottage.
“Grandad, does a wicked witch live here?” the kids giggled.
“No. Shes still in London.”
Tanya and Oliver laughed. The joke landed, though Rogers mood was grim. He was glad to see them but couldnt hide it.
“Whyd you come?”
“How could you *live* here? Were sorting this out. Why didnt you tell us?”
“No need to bother you. Your mother said her piece. I understood.”
“So did I. But how will you manage? Its summer nowwhat about winter? Did you bring *anything*?”
“Just the essentials. Place is emptyonly old crockery left. But Ill manage.”
“Oh, *brilliant*. Pack your things, Dad. Youre coming with us.”
“Yes, Dad. Well fetch the rest later. Just grab what you need.”
“I cant. Im not alone.”
“We can see that. And *we* never got round to getting a dog. Kids are thrilled.”
“Someone dumped him. Still a pup”
“In the car he goes. Hell guard the house.”
Roger didnt cry. The tears just fell on their own.
“Dad, were away for ten days. Youre in charge. Heres your room. Foods stocked, shops nearby, left you cash. Well stop by James. Just *keep your phone on*”
“Dad, were back!” Tanya shouted, stepping inside.
Oliver and the kids followed.
No answer.
Instead of Roger Tanyas mother appeared.
“Mum, what are you *doing* here? Wheres Dad?!”
“Came to check on your place. You were away,” she said breezily. “Then I find a *stranger* here. With a *dog*.”
“*Where is he?!*” Oliver demanded.
“Natalies moved into my flat. Im living here now. Close enough to town, and nice.”
“*Where. Is. He?*”
“How should I know?” She shrugged. “Where he always was.”
Oliver and Tanya stared.
“Right. Lovely to see you, *Mum*,” Oliver said tightly. “But were home now, so”
“Tanya! How *dare* he speak to me like that?”
“Mum, time to go. Dont bother unpacking.”
They found Roger back at the cottage. He was on the sofa; the pup snoozed on the rug.
“You again? Why? Im fine here. Just a nap,” he said, sitting up. “Plenty of room *there*.”
“Shes not staying in *my* house. Even if you wont come, shes not welcome.”
“She disagrees. Freed the flat for Natalie.”
“Get in the car. Kids brought presents. Dont forget the dog. Well sort the rest later.”
“Hes already waitingjumped in himself.” Oliver nodded at the wagging tail in the back. “Tanya, Natalies callingyou left your phone.”
“Meaning Mums either arrived or thrown a fit. Not answering yet.”
Roger stayed with Tanya and Oliver. His ex-wife never reappeared. James visited *them*, not herno space at hers anyway.
“Were moving closer,” he announced one day. “Want to be near you”
“Brilliant.”
“Buying a flat?”
“No. Want a house. Got my eye on land.”
“Ive got some, son. If youre interested.”
“Land?”
“House fell down, but the plots there. Dont like it? Sell, buy elsewhere.”
“Your land, my housemeans you live with us,” James said.
“No. *Our*
