Shameless Audacity — Come on, Natalie, just be honest, — Nick whined, — What’s the big universal difference who we rent the house out to? Family or strangers? The money is the same. Natalie finished hanging the laundry out to dry. Instead of complaining, he could have helped. — Nick, darling, — she replied, — The difference is, you’ll never get the money out of relatives in the end. — You mean Dave? — he winced, — Dave’s my brother! He’ll pay, I promise. He’s not even asking for a discount. He wants the house at full price! For the whole summer. And we won’t have to find tenants ourselves. — Nick, it’s a house by the seaside. I can get tenants in five minutes. — Explain to me why it’s so important to rent to strangers, not family? — With strangers it’s easy: contract, deposit, if they don’t pay they’re out and that’s the end of it. With family it’s all, “Oh Natalie, you understand, we’ve got kids.” “We’ll transfer the money a bit later.” “We broke your telly, but you’re not going to charge us, are you?” Trust me, I’ve seen it a hundred times. You don’t know how it all ends. The seaside house had come to Natalie from her parents, who also rented it out. They lived in Brighton, and the place by the sea was a welcome boost to the salary. Natalie did the same—but with one condition: no friends, no relatives. She’d seen too many of these “mates” leave her parents out of pocket. — And how did it end? — her husband asked. — With relatives never paying up and not even apologising! As if we should be grateful to host them. No way. The house is a business, Nick. Not a free holiday home for your family. Dave had recently decided that three months by the sea was just what the doctor ordered for his wife and three kids. Summer was a quiet time for his work—might as well enjoy life. And Natalie was convinced Dave wasn’t actually planning to pay. — Dave isn’t asking for a freebie! — Nick protested, — He’ll pay. They always promise they’ll pay at first. — Why bother with this? There’s always a queue of people happy to pay market price. They’ll sign a contract, pay upfront, and I’ll sleep easy. No relatives. No friends. Business is business. Nick knew how hard it was to argue with Natalie’s pragmatism, but he also knew how to persuade her. — Fine. So you don’t trust Dave. But you trust me, right? Natalie was waiting for the twist. — I do, so what? — I’ll cover the rent myself if Dave tries to short us! — Nick blurted out, playing the hero. It was a feeble argument. — Brilliant idea. You’ll pay me from our joint bank account. — Well… if you put it like that… I’ll get an extra job. In the evenings, weekends… Anything I make will be just for you. Not our money, just yours. Deal? Natalie hadn’t realised this was that important to Nick. Maybe if he trusted his brother that much, she ought to trust him… — You could talk your way out of anything, — she said at last, — But all the responsibility is on you. Fine. Summer was still a long way off, giving Natalie time to calm down and even start believing him. June came. And with it, problems. Nick called Dave every few days with a polite reminder that he ought to pay at least a month upfront, and got the same reassuring answer. — Yeah, Nick, it’s all good! The money? I’m just waiting for a big client to pay me, should be by the end of the month. Soon as it comes through, you’ll have it. Sorry for the delay, mate. Late June arrived. The money didn’t. Natalie tolerated it for a month; didn’t ask, didn’t nag. Nick had asked her to trust him—so she had. But after yet another let-down from Dave, she finally asked: — Well? Has he paid? — He’s still waiting on a big client. As soon as they pay, so will he—promised! Same excuse all month. She bit back an “I told you so.” — This is what I was talking about! Relatives always have the most important reasons for delaying payment. — Nat, that’s just bad luck! He’s not doing it on purpose! I know it looks bad, but it’s a coincidence. We just have to wait. — Sure, let’s wait till September, until they pack their bags and thank us for a lovely stay, promising to sort it out later? — Listen, you’re not losing anything. I’ll get a job. — Oh, *now*? Really? Nick wilted instantly. — Give him a couple more weeks. If he still hasn’t paid, then… I’ll pay you myself, if it means that much. — I didn’t make you promise! You insisted on being the hero. So do it. The mood at home changed; Nick was suddenly withdrawn. July. Sweltering heat. And every evening Natalie caught Nick checking jobs online—never actually calling, though. — Nick, you realise it’s the 30th? Two-thirds of summer gone, and we have nothing—zero—of the rent, — she prodded. — Still nothing from Dave… but… — “Soon as, so soon as.” Right. — He’ll pay! He even said he’d give us a little extra for the trouble. — I don’t believe it. You guaranteed him. You said: “I’ll pay.” So you pay. Where’s the extra job? Clearly, he had lost all enthusiasm for his own grand proposal. Promising is easier than doing. — I’ll find something. But the jobs aren’t great… I mean, I can’t be lifting boxes with my back. — Then maybe your brother should be lifting boxes. You promised! Either get a job now, or I’ll call Dave myself and tell him if I don’t get half the money by Friday, I’ll evict him and take him to court. Nick broke out in a cold sweat. — Don’t ring Dave! Or go to court! What will Mum say? My family will never forgive me! Dave didn’t want to pay, Nick didn’t want to keep his word, Nick didn’t want to take his brother to court, and suddenly—it was all Natalie’s fault. — So much for loving me! You don’t care if I have to work myself into the ground just to pay you, my own wife, back. — I didn’t put these words in your mouth, Nick! You insisted! — How was I supposed to know Dave would do us over? — I did! I’ve seen it happen, over and over. You didn’t listen. — I get it! — Nick started acting the martyr, — But you’re unfeeling, Nat! Making me pay you back out of my own health. What if I have a heart attack? That wouldn’t matter to you, so long as you get your money… — I’m not forcing you! I’m asking you to stick to *your* deal. — Fine! — Nick yelled, — I’ll get a second job and pay for Dave. If money means more to you than me! His deal had fallen apart, but Natalie had, begrudgingly, won: he started working as a courier in the evenings, and gave her cold looks when he got home. — It’s all your fault, — he muttered. — Mine? — Yes! — Maybe now you’ll understand. Easy to be generous with my money—harder when it’s your own lesson. Natalie still hoped Dave would, at the last minute, miraculously pay up. And just as she thought it, Dave himself rang—called her, not Nick. Could she really have been wrong? Was he about to pay? — Nat, I need a favour… — Dave, I haven’t got time. You’re already behind on July’s rent, and now August is due. It’s Nick’s problem—he vouched for you. — Yeah, Nick told me! Poor bloke. But look, my car broke while we were here, I spent everything on repairs. I’ve got to get the family home somehow, rent will have to wait. We’ll sort it out later… Of course. Natalie hung up. Nick, seeing her face, understood. — Okay, — he admitted, — I was wrong to trust him so much. But you—won’t even let me make a mistake! Instead of supporting me, you pile on… — Should I have smiled sweetly and said: “Never mind, Nick, let your family stay for free, I’ll just cope”? You made the promise. — Yes, I did! — he grumbled, — But I didn’t expect you to agree so easily that I should sacrifice my health for money. Do you even care about me? — Does your brother care about you? — He’s not a bad guy, he just— — Right. So he does us over and puts it all on you, and I’m the villain for wanting what’s owed? Nick faltered. Looks like there are rough times ahead in this marriage.

Boundless Cheek

Come on, Sarah, just be honest with me, whined Nick, plopping onto the sofa. What on earth is the big difference whether we rent the cottage to family or strangers? Its the same money either way.

Sarah finished hanging the linen on the drying rack, brushing a stray hair from her face. She wished hed stop moaning and give her a hand instead.

Nick, darling, she replied, the difference is that its nearly impossible to actually get the money out of relatives.

Youre talking about Daniel? Nick recoiled at the hint of accusation in her tone. Daniels my brother. Of course hell pay! He hasnt even asked for a discounthe wants the place at full price for the whole summer. We wont have to bother finding tenants.

Nick, its a cottage on the Devon coast. I could find tenants in five minutes flat.

Explain why youre so set against renting it to family, then?

With strangers, its simple: contract, deposit, fail to pay and theyre out. No hard feelings. With your own, its all Sarah, you know weve got the kids, or Oh, well pay you later. Sorry, we broke the telly, but you wont charge us, will you? Ive seen it too many times. You havent seen how it ends.

Sarahs parents used to rent out the cottage too. They lived here in Exeter, and the cottage was a nice supplement to their wages. When it passed to Sarah, she carried on renting it outbut with one rule: no friends, no family. Shed watched her parents get stung by so-called friends too many times.

And how did it end? Nick pressed.

With them neither paying nor even apologizing. Instead, it was always, Whats the problem, its just a weekend? Sorry, but the cottage is a business, Nick. Not a charity for your lot.

Daniel had recently decided that three months on the coast would do wonders for his wife and their three kids. Summer was quiet for his work, so it seemed the perfect escape. And Sarah had no doubts Daniel had no plans to pay for his accommodation.

But Daniel isnt asking you to put them up for free! Nick insisted. Hell pay.

They all swear theyll payat first.

Why deal with the aggro? Theres always a queue for the cottagepeople ready to pay the going rate. They sign the contract, pay upfront, and I sleep soundly. No. No relatives. No mates. Business and friendship dont mix.

It was near impossible to argue with Sarahs pragmatism. But Nick wasnt about to give up.

Fine. You dont trust Daniel. But do you trust me?

Sarah waited for the punchline.

I do. And?

If, by some chance, Daniel tries to stitch us up, Ill pay you the rent myself, Nick blurted with all the air of a hero.

She raised an eyebrow. Not much of an argument.

Amazing propositionpaying me with our joint savings.

Well If you put it like that I could get a side job. Right? Evenings, weekends. Ill give you every penny. That way, its yours, not ours. Deal?

Sarah hadnt realised Nick felt so strongly. Maybe, if he had such faith in his brother, she ought to trust him just this once.

You could talk your way into anything, she muttered. Fine. But its on your head.

There were months to go before summer, so Sarah tried to calm her nerves and put her faith in Nick.

June arrived, hot and busyand with it, trouble. Nick phoned Daniel every three days with a gentle prod that, really, they ought to pay for at least the first month. Every time, Daniel brushed him off with the same hopeful promises.

Yes, yes, Nick, no worries! The money? Just waiting for a client to send the last payment. Should be by the end of the month. Soon as it comes in, Ill transfer it right over. Sorry about the delayit just happened, mate. Dont stress!

End of June came.

No money.

Sarah gritted her teeth and stayed silent for a month, trusting Nick as shed promised. But when he returned from yet another hopeful call, she had to ask:

Well? Has he paid?

Daniels still waiting on that client, Nick replied. As soon as it comes in, straight to us, he promised!

The same story for a whole month.

She bit her tongue on the obvious retort.

This is exactly what I said would happenrelatives always have perfectly valid reasons not to pay on time.

Its just bad luck, Sarah! Nick floundered. He didnt do it deliberately! I know how it looks, but its a coincidence, thats all. These things happenyou just have to wait stuff like this out.

Oh yes, and lets wait till September, shall we? Until they pack up their three suitcases and say, Cheers for the lovely holiday, well give you a bell sometime soon?

At the end of the day, youre not losing out. Ill get that extra job.

You? Go on then. Right now?

Nick shrank.

Lets give it a couple more weeks. If nothing, then Ill pay you myself if its that important to you.

I didnt force you to take this on, Nick. You wanted to prove your brother was honourable. So prove it.

Things felt different at homeNick became subdued, talking little to his wife.

July. The heat was stifling. Sarah would find Nick browsing job vacancies in the evenings but never dialling a single number.

Nick, its the thirtieth today. Two-thirds of summers gone and we havent seen a single penny of the rent, she reminded him.

Still nothing from Daniel But

Sometime soon, is it?

Hell come through. He said wed be the first paid, even said he’d throw in a little extra for the trouble.

I dont believe it anymore. You vouched for him. You said: Ill pay. So pay up. Wheres your extra work?

Even Nick could see the idea of an evening job no longer inspired him. Promises were easyactually doubling your work was something else.

Ill find one. The jobs on offer arent great though Not exactly my thing, especially with my back.

Better make your brother shift boxes, then. You promised me. Either you find a job now, or I phone Daniel myself and let him know that if I dont see half the sum by Friday, Ill kick them outby the bookand take them to court for the money.

Nick paled. Dont ring Daniel! Or the courts! Whatll the family think? What would I tell Mum? That I took my own brother to court, Sarah? No oned understand.

Daniel wouldnt pay. Nick had no wish to honour his own promise, nor did he want to drag his brother to court. Suddenly, he turned the blame on Sarah.

You know what? Some wife you are! Dont you care Ill be run ragged working double shifts to pay you back?

I didnt force these promises out of you, Nick! You insisted.

Yeah, well I didnt know Daniel would shaft us!

I did, said Sarah softly. I knew, because Ive seen it all before. But you wouldnt listen.

I get it, alright! Nick clung to the role of victim. But you, Sarah! Instead of supporting me, you rub salt in the wound. As if you care more about the bloody rent than my health! What happens if I have a heart attack, eh? Still making me hunt for work?

I dont make you! Im just holding you to the deal which you proposed.

Fine! Nick snapped, Ill get a second job and pay for Daniel, alright? If the moneys all you care aboutso be it!

He failed by his own measure, but Sarah got her wayNick went out evenings as a courier, then came home and glared at her like a wounded animal.

Its your fault he muttered one night.

My fault?

Yes!

Maybe now youll understand, she answered. Its easy to act generous on my account. Pay for your brother yourself, and see where it gets you.

Truthfully, she still half-hoped Daniel might get a pang of conscience and pay up. Almost as soon as she thought it, her phone rangDaniel, not Nick, calling directly.

Could she have been wrong? Was he really about to send the money?

Sarah, bit of a situation

I havent time, Daniel. You shouldve paid for August already, were still waiting for July. And its not even my problem now, its Nickshe vouched for you.

Yeah, Nick told me. Poor sod. But look, Ive had a spot of bother. Car broke down, had to spend all the cash on repairs. Need to get the family home somehow, so the rent well, next time, maybe?

Utterly predictable.

Sarah hung up.

Nick, watching her face, understood.

Alright, he admitted, I was wrong to trust him. But youyoure so unforgiving! Couldnt you just support me for once?

Should I have smiled and said, Dont worry, let them have it for free, Ill just manage somehow on my own? Youre the one who insisted youd cover it!

Yes, I did! he sulked. I didnt think youd be so quick to agreeeven if it meant me running into the ground! Dyou ever think about me?

Does your brother think about you?

Hes not a bad bloke, things just went wrong

Great. So hes fine, leaving me out of pocket and you scrambling to patch it up, but Im the villain for asking to be paid?

Nick fidgeted. It seemed a storm was brewing in their marriage.