“Either you let my brother move into your flat, or pack your things and get out!” declared the husband.
Victoria had stayed late at worktwo extra hoursafter two new clients booked appointments on a friends recommendation.
“We only want you, Victoria Anne! Youre the best hairdresser in the whole town!” Those words had kept her smiling all the way home.
Perhaps it was finally time to take the leap and start her own business. Enough waiting for “the right moment.”
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the walk back to their terraced house in Birmingham. As she stepped into the hallway, unfamiliar voices drifted from their flat. She pushed the door open and froze. A battered rucksack lay in the corridor, muddy boots discarded on the floor, the sharp tang of stale beer hanging in the air.
“Vicky, look whos back! Its Christopher!” Her husband, James, leaned out from the kitchen with an odd smile.
His younger brother sat slumped on the kitchen bench, staring blankly at the tablethe same Christopher whod vanished four years ago to chase after a dancer from some grimy nightclub.
“Hello,” the brother muttered without looking up.
“Mum, whos that?” whispered Emily, just back from her ballet class.
“Thats your Uncle Chris, your dads brother,” Victoria answered, keeping her voice steady. “You were too young to remember when he left.”
“Whys he so weird?”
“Go to your room, love. Well talk later.”
Victoria locked herself in the bathroom, turning the tap on to drown out the noise. She needed a moment. The face in the mirror looked exhausted. She ran a hand through her hairroots needed touching up, but that was the least of her worries now.
Four years ago, when Christopher walked out, James had taken it hard. A month of silence, blaming his parents for driving him away. Thennothing. As if hed erased his brother from memory. But now, everything had shifted.
James followed her into the bedroom, hesitating before speaking.
“Hes staying with us. Just for a while. Hes in a bad way. His wife cheated on him. He cant go to Mum and Dad.”
“And you decided that without asking me?” Victoria turned to face him. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“What was there to discuss? Hes my brother. Hes got nowhere else.”
“We have a teenage daughter. Have you seen the state hes in? Is this what you want her around?”
“Thats why he needs us! Family sticks together.” James finally met her eyes. “You know I cant turn him away.”
“How long?”
“As long as it takes.”
“And what about Emily?”
“Vicky, enough!” His voice rosesomething he never did. “Hes my brother. My little brother. I wont abandon him.”
She opened her mouth but stopped. Something in his tone chilled her. In fourteen years together, shed never heard that edge.
“Fine,” she said, turning to the window. “But he doesnt drink in this house. And he finds a job.”
James left without another word. Through the wall, she heard him murmuring to Christopher in the kitchensoft, secretive.
It was past midnight when the voices finally quieted. Victoria lay awake, listening to footsteps pacing the hall. James took his time settling his brother on the sofa.
“Itll be all right,” he whispered, slipping into bed. But she wasnt so sure anymore.
***
Morning brought the stench of stale beer. Victoria cooked breakfast in silence, ignoring the empty bottles and overflowing ashtray.
A month in, and their kitchen had become a round-the-clock pub for two.
“Mum, Im off to school,” Emily whispered, sidestepping her uncle snoring on the sofa. Lately, shed been staying out morejoining clubs, visiting friends.
Victoria watched her hurry out, fury simmering inside.
Their “temporary” guest had dismantled everything theyd built: cosy evenings, family dinners, the quiet talks with Emily.
“Morning,” James said, already dressed for work. “Any coffee left?”
“Yesterdays. In the pot.” She nodded toward the stove. “We need to talk.”
“Not now. Im late.” He grimaced at the cold sludge in his cup.
“When, James? Youre always late. And evenings are for Christopher.”
He paused at the door. “What are you saying?”
“That this cant go on. Were not running a hostel for a grown man.”
“Hes depressed, Vicky. Cant you see hes struggling?”
“And what about us? Emily barely comes home. Youve changed. I dont even know you anymore.”
James set his cup down. “Lets talk tonight. Calmly.”
“No. Now.” She blocked his path. “I want him gone in a week. He can rent a place, find workI dont care. But not at our expense.”
“Are you serious?” His eyes darkened. “Youd throw my brother out?”
“Im saying were not a free hotel! He hasnt even tried!”
“He needs time!”
“How much? A year? A lifetime?” Her voice cracked. “Do you even see what this is doing to us?”
“And do you see hes my family too? I wont abandon him like our parents didnot even for you.”
“So thats your choice?” Tears spilled over.
“Its not a choice. Its duty. You just refuse to understand.”
He left, the door clicking shut behind him. From the living room, Christophers snores rumbled. Victoria sank onto a chair, staring at Jamess abandoned coffee.
He used to kiss her goodbye.
***
A week passed in silence.
Victoria left early, came home late. James pretended not to noticetoo busy playing landlord to his brother. Emily tiptoed around them, met with brusque reassurances: “Its fine, love. Dont worry.”
At night, lying awake, Victoria caught fragments from the kitchen: “She doesnt get it family comes first youre too soft on her”
***
On Friday, James came home early. Christopher was asleep; Emily was in her room with music blaring.
Victoria stirred soup on the stove, the rhythm soothing her frayed nerves.
“Ive figured it out,” James said, leaning in the doorway. “A solution that works for everyone.”
She kept stirring, waiting. Silence had become easier.
“Its obvious. Chris can stay at your flat.”
The spoon stilled. That flat was her safety netleft to her by her aunt before they married. Hers alone.
“Its rented,” she said evenly.
“So? Give them notice. Theyll find somewhere else.”
“James, theyve paid a year upfront. Theyve got two little kids. I wont do it.”
“Fine. Then Chris stays here. End of discussion.” He shrugged. “Your call.”
She dried her hands slowly. “Youd really evict a family to house your brother?”
“What choice do I have? You wanted him out.”
“I wanted him to grow up. Get a job. Be a mannot a leech!”
His fists clenched. “Dont you dare call him that. Youve no right!”
She studied himthe rigidity in his shoulders, the fury in his eyes. This wasnt just about helping Christopher. It was a line drawn.
“Alright,” she said softly. “I understand.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Dinners ready. Call your brother.”
Baffled, he left. Once alone, she pulled out her phone.
“Marina? You mentioned a good solicitor. I need one. Now.”
Music still thumped from Emilys room. Victoria pressed her forehead to the cool wood.
“Itll be okay, sweetheart,” she whispered. “Mums got a plan.”
***
The next three weeks, Victoria was barely home. She took extra shifts, signed up for courses.
Emily stayed with her gran. Exams, she said.
James didnt object. Evenings now belonged to him and Christopherfootball, takeaway, loud debates.
She was a stranger in her own home.
Mornings revealed the aftermath: beer bottles, pizza boxes, ashtrays overflowing.
James breezed past it allkissing his brothers head, ignoring her. No more casual kisses for her.
Then, one evening, everything changed.
James burst in, grinning. “Good news! Chris is moving out!”
Victoria nearly dropped her cup. “Really?”
“Yep! Said hes done mooching. Found some work, making plans.”
“Thats wonderful.” Hope flickered. Maybe they could salvage this.
“Just one thing.” He flopped onto a chair. “Well need to help him settle. Call your tenants tomorrowgive them a month to leave.”
Her hope curdled. “Weve been over this. No.”
“But its different now! Hes trying! A year, maybe
