Gradually, we managed to get running water into her house, and eventually, mains gas as well. After that, we renovated everything, making the home as comfortable as possible. Later, it was surreal to find Aunt Catherines house listed on a property website.
My seventy-eight-year-old aunt has two sisters; one of whom is my mother. Aunt Catherinewhat a character! Shes been married at least ten times, and her last husband passed away a decade ago. She never had children of her own. She and her husband lived in an old cottage, the sort that lacked any modern conveniences. There were only two rooms, and she had the loo outside in the garden.
Her husband was a real local personalityeveryone had a story about him. We used to visit them quite often. Catherines younger sister had moved to Sweden years ago, and the sisters kept in touch through phone calls.
After my aunt was widowed, we found ourselves going over far more often. Out of our own pockets, we bought coal and firewood to keep her warm. Wed lend a hand with planting or tidying up the garden. She never asked for anything, and we never took anything in return. Time and again, we begged her to move in with us in the city. But she was adamant she wasnt cut out for city life.
Step by step, we got water piped in, and later arranged for gas. Then we tackled everything elseinstalled a proper bathroom outside, replaced the roof, did all we could so Aunt Catherine could be comfortable in her village life. In gratitude, she told us shed leave the cottage to our children in her will.
Whenever she needed us, we were there. Then, quite unexpectedly, she left for Sweden to live with her younger sister. Suddenly, these sisters who barely got along before were best friends. What happened to the cottage? She just said to leave it for now!
I couldnt help but wonder how the sisters would get on, and whether Aunt Catherine would ever return. Her sister in Sweden has her own familya husband and grown-up daughter. They all share a house together.
We had a set of keys to Catherines cottage, so the following weekend I went down, just to make sure all was well. Naturally, my key didnt fitthe lock had been changed. And there it was, painted in big white letters on the gate: For Sale.
Back home, I found her house listed online. I rang the estate agent. Apparently, Aunt Catherines cottage had already been sold for nearly £200,000. I didnt ring my auntmy feelings were terribly bruised.
Had it not been for the investment we made, that old house would have had no value at all. A month later, Catherine called to say shed sold the cottage and given the proceeds to her nieceher sisters daughter from Sweden. Now I have no idea how to look my husband in the eye, knowing our money went into Aunt Catherines house.
