Inheritance from an Ex-Husband or a Surprise from the Mother-in-Law.
As an unexpected gift from her former husband, an alcoholic, Ellen found herself saddled with the care of his ageing mother. Ten years had passed since shed walked out of her marriagea decade away from bruised evenings and empty bottles. She left not only because he drowned himself in gin, but because his temper had become fists too often.
Long ago, they had severed all ties. Their only child, a son, had married and moved to Manchester, starting his own life far from the shadow of his father. He wanted nothing to do with the man whod raised his glass but never his sonfrom a father whose heart was always somewhere else.
Then, one grey Sunday morning, Ellens phone rang. On the other end, the unkind news: her ex-husband had died. No one was left to handle the arrangements. Ellen and her son took on the duty, sorting out the funeral and giving the man a proper burial.
But then there was Margaretthe frail, difficult mother-in-law, left alone in her cottage at the edge of the village. After the funeral, Ellens son returned to Manchester, his own family to care for. And the responsibility for the cantankerous old woman fell squarely on Ellens shoulders.
What choice was there? Ellen visited several times a week, filling Margarets larder with groceries the old woman inevitably complained about, but ate without hesitation. Chopping firewood, a task far from easy for Ellen, became part of her routine. She couldnt leave Margaret helpless, no matter the history between them. It simply wasnt right to abandon someone in need.
Three long months dragged bythree months of damp commutes, stinging words, and obligatory visits. Then, quietly, Margaret passed away. Only after her death did Ellen discover the truth: in her will, Margaret had left the cottage and a tidy sumover £30,000to Ellen.
So much, it seemed, for resentment. Gratitude can arrive unannounced, like rain on a cloudless afternoon.
