**A Home Without Welcome: When a Mother Turns the House into a Battlefield**
The flat where we were no longer welcome: When home became a warzone.
James was at his desk when the phone rang. His wifes name flashed on the screenunusual for her to call midday.
Hello, Emily. Everything alright? Im a bit tied up, he said, eyes still fixed on his computer.
Something terribles happened, her voice trembled, choked with tears. Weve been kicked out. Weve got no home left!
What?! James shot up from his chair. Is it the flat? Fire? A break-in?
The flats fine but were not allowed to live there anymore, she whispered.
Not allowed? Who on earth could stop us from living in our own home?
Who else? Your mother! The words burst out, raw with pain, anger, and despair.
Years ago, theyd moved with the kids to London. The eldest was seven, the youngest five. Theyd started from scratch, worked hard. Then came a stroke of luck: Emilys father unexpectedly inherited a flat in the countryside from a distant relative.
Live there, the old man had said. Im retired, the taxes are manageable. The flat stays in my name, but we wont interfere.
They renovated, bought furniture. Made it theirs. Though the flat wasnt legally theirs, it felt like home. Yet Emily couldnt shake the unease.
Were pouring everything into this place, but our names arent on the deed, shed told James.
Dont worry. My parents are here. Whod throw us out? Were family.
But the worst happenedthey were evicted. Not by strangers, but by their own flesh and blood.
The trigger was his fathers birthday. They visited, celebrated. The next day, his mother appeared unannounced.
Weve decided: your cousin Olivers moving in. Hes at uni, the halls are full. Youve got space. And, she added coolly, the flats ours anyway, so we decide who lives there.
Emilys breath caught. But James just nodded.
No problem. Theres room.
She bit her tongue, fists clenched. Not the time. But something inside her shattered that day.
Oliver moved inand acted like he owned the place. Ate on the sofa, shouted, never cleaned. Everything he touched turned to chaos. Then James parents visitedto see their grandson. The nightmare began.
Olivers shoes are filthy! his mother scolded. Why isnt his jacket washed? And wheres the cake?
She bossed them around like a drill sergeant. Cooked, cleaned, then suddenly turned to Emily:
I dont see how my son puts up with you! You should leave. Let the flat go.
Where would I go? Rents are sky-high, the girls have their lives
Not my problem. Pack your things.
When Emily refused, his mother snapped:
Ill make James see sense. Hell sign the divorce papers.
Emily packed in silence, tears streaming.
James found out and stormed over.
Mum, whats this? Youre throwing my wife out?!
Shes useless. Andshe drinks!
Excuse me?!
I heard bottles clinking. Why hide it? I wont have her under my roof. The flats mine, so I decide.
Mum, that was Oliver with the rubbish!
Dont blame the boy! If she shows her face here againdont say I didnt warn you.
Then Ill go with her.
Even better. Olivers got a girlfriend nowshell move in.
James clenched his fists, silent.
Fine. Two days.
Later, he told Emily, Dont cry. Well clear everything outToms helping, weve got a garage. Itll be alright. Well buy our own place. Maybe not how we dreamed, but itll be ours.
Three days later, his mother arrived with his sister Charlotteloaded for a siege. Meat, fish, tins, sacks of potatoes
Have they really left?! Charlotte gasped.
Empty No kitchen No fridge No furniture
Dump it on the balcony.
But its raining! Mum, you cant even sleep here!
Margaret Harris dialled her sons numberno answer. The grandkids ignored her too.
Margaret here Granny she tried one granddaughter, but the line spat back:
Dont call us again!
The flat held only a grubby old sofa. A bucket in the bathtubthe symbol of a broken dream.
Six months later, Emily cooked in their new flat. The phone rang. Unknown number.
James, its me Mum You wont answer Im sorry. Come back. Live here.
We already do. In our home.
Your home? Why keep two? Youve got ours!
Yours is yours. Ours is ours.
And the grandkids? Theyve cut me off!
They need nothing. Weve got everything. Forget that flat. Were never coming back.
James hung up. That chapter was closed. And it would never be reopened.
