“Either you let my brother move into your flat, or pack your things and get out!” declared the husband.
Eleanor had stayed late at worktwo whole hours extra. Two new clients had booked appointments after glowing recommendations from friends.
“We only want you, Eleanor! Youre the best hairdresser in town!” Those words had made her smile all the way home.
Maybe it really was time to take the leap and start her own business. Enough waiting for “the right moment” and living in fear.
Lost in thought, Eleanor barely noticed the walk home. As she stepped into the hallway, unfamiliar voices drifted from the flat. She pushed the door openand froze. A battered rucksack lay in the corridor, dirty boots scattered on the floor, the stale stench of alcohol hanging in the air.
“Ellie, recognise the prodigal son? Williams back!” Her husband, Thomas, leaned out from the kitchen with a strange smile.
His younger brother slouched on the kitchen sofa, staring blankly at the table. The same William who, four years ago, had walked out to live with a dancer from some nightclub.
“Hello,” William muttered without looking up.
“Mum, whos that?” whispered Emily, just back from ballet class.
“Thats your Uncle William, Dads brother,” Eleanor replied, forcing calm into her voice. “You were too young to remember when he left.”
“Whys he so odd?” Emily lowered her voice further.
“Go to your room, love. Well talk later.”
Eleanor retreated to the bathroom, turning the tap on full. She needed a moment to steady herself. The mirror reflected a tired face. She ran a hand through her hairroots needed touching up, but that was the least of her worries now.
Four years ago, when William had left, shed seen how hard it hit Thomas. Hed barely spoken to his parents for a month, blaming them for driving his brother away. Then, as if hed buried the anger, he stopped mentioning William altogether, ignoring the rare phone calls. But now, it seemed, everything had changed.
Thomas followed her into the bedroom, hesitating before speaking. “Hes staying with us. Just for a while. He needs help. Williams in a bad wayshe cheated on him, so they split. He cant go to Mum and Dads.”
“You decided that without asking me? Without even discussing it?” Eleanor turned to face him. “Dont you think thats bloody selfish?”
“What was there to discuss? Hes my brother. Hes got nowhere else.”
“Tom, we have a teenage daughter. Have you seen the state hes in? You think its right for her to see this every day?”
“Thats why he needs us. Family!” Thomas met her eyes for the first time that evening. “You know I cant turn him away. I wont.”
“How long?”
“As long as it takes. He needs to get back on his feet.”
“And what about Emily? Have you thought about her? Shes at that age”
“Ellie, enough!” Thomas raised his voicesomething hed never done before. “Hes my brother. My little brother. I wont abandon him.”
Eleanor opened her mouth to retort but stopped. Something in his tone silenced her. In fourteen years together, shed never heard such steel in his voice.
“Fine,” she turned to the window. “But tell him no drinking in the house. And he finds a job.”
Thomas left without another word. Through the wall, she heard him murmuring to William in the kitchentoo quiet for her to catch.
The clock ticked past midnight before the voices faded. Eleanor lay awake, listening to footsteps in the hall. Thomas took his time settling his brother in the sitting room before finally coming to bed.
“Itll be alright,” he whispered, climbing under the covers. But Eleanor wasnt so sure.
***
Morning brought the sour reek of stale beer in the kitchen. Eleanor silently made Emilys breakfast, ignoring the empty bottles and overflowing ashtray.
A month in, shed grown used to their kitchen doubling as an all-hours pub for two.
“Mum, Im off to school,” Emily whispered, sidestepping her snoring uncle with her schoolbag clutched to her chest. Lately, her daughter spent as little time at home as possiblejoining after-school clubs and sleeping over at friends.
Watching Emily hurry out yet again, Eleanor felt fury simmer. This “temporary” guest had dismantled everything theyd built: cosy family evenings, shared meals, quiet talks with Emily.
“Morning,” Thomas emerged, already dressed for work. “Any coffee?”
“Leftover from yesterday,” she nodded at the pot. “We need to talk.”
“Not now, Im late,” he grimaced at the cold coffee.
“When, Tom? Youre late every day. And in the evenings, youre with William.”
He paused at the door. “What are you saying?”
“That we need to sort this. We cant keep supporting a grown man forever. Its not right!”
“Hes depressed, Ellie. Cant you see hes a wreck?”
“And what about us? What about Emily, who dreads coming home? This flat reeks of booze and fags every night. You”
“What about me?”
“Youve changed. Like I dont even know you anymore.”
Thomas set his cup down hard. “Lets talk tonight. Calmly. No drama.”
“No. Now.” She blocked his path. “I want William out in a week. He can rent a place, find workwhatever. But not at our expense!”
“Youre serious?” Thomas hissed, eyes narrowing. “Youd throw my own brother onto the street?”
“Im saying were not a free hotel! He hasnt even tried to sort himself out!”
“Because he needs time! Its not bloody complicated!”
“How much? A month? A year? Forever?” Eleanors voice rose. “Do you even care what this is doing to our family?”
“And do you care that hes my family too? I wont abandon him like our parents didnot even for you!”
“So thats your choice?” Tears spilled down her face.
“Its not a choice, Ellie. Its duty. And you refuse to see that.”
He left, gently closing the door behind him. From the sitting room came Williams snores. Eleanor sank onto a chair, staring at Thomass abandoned coffee.
Hed never walked out without kissing her goodbye before.
***
Nearly a week passed without a word between them.
Eleanor left early, came home late. Thomas pretended not to notice, staying up with William, lost in their own world.
Emily tiptoed around them, trying to ease the tension, only to be met with brittle smiles: “Its fine, love. Dont worry.”
At night, Eleanor lay awake, catching fragments from the kitchen: “She doesnt understand family sticks together youre too soft on her”
***
On Friday, Thomas came home early. William dozed in the sitting room; Emily listened to music in her room.
Eleanor stirred soup on the stove, the rhythm steadying her thoughts.
“Ive sorted it,” Thomas leaned in the doorway, triumphant. “A solution that works for everyone.”
She kept stirring, silent. This past week had taught her the power of saying nothing.
“Its obvious. William can stay in your flat.”
The spoon stilled. That flat was her safety netleft to her by her godmother before theyd married. Her private retreat. And now
“There are tenants,” she said evenly.
“So? Give them notice. Theyll find somewhere else.”
“Tom, are you mad? Theyve paid a year upfront. Signed contracts. Two little kids. I wont do it. Not happening!”
“Well, I tried!” He threw up his hands. “William stays here then. End of discussion!”
Eleanor slowly dried her hands. “Youd truly kick out a familywho pay on timeto house your brother rent-free?”
“What choice do I have? Youre the one who wants him gone.”
“I wanted him to stand on his own feet! Get a job, rent a place. Act like a man, not a bloody leech!”
“Hes depressed!”
“Really? Or just bloody comfortable?”
Thomass fists clenched. “Dont you dare insult my brother! Ill not warn you again!”
Eleanor studied himthe flushed face, the rigid stance. Not temporary protectiveness, but a line drawn. His choice, made.
“Fine,” she smiled faintly. “I understand.”
He blinked, thrown. Hed expected tears, shouts. “Understand what?”
“Everything. Dinners ready. Call your brother.”
Bewildered, Thomas left. Once alone, Eleanor pulled out her phone.
“Evening, Sarah. Remember that solicitor you mentioned? I need advice. Urgently.”
Emilys music still played. Eleanor pressed her forehead to her daughters door.
“Itll be
