Mum married eleven years ago. My stepfather, Philip, came into our lives with a daughter from his first marriageCharlotte, she was fourteen back then. Philip had given up all rights to his old house, leaving it entirely to his former family, and moved in with Mum and me, into the flat that my late father had left us. Philip never really kept in touch with his daughtershe wanted nothing to do with him. He paid the child support, and that was that. His role in Charlottes life ended there.
I cant claim I ever truly bonded with Philip, or saw him as a father figure. He wasnt cruel or strictnever raised his voice or handthough, to be fair, I was already sixteen, far too old to be raised. We lived together for three years, then I got married and had a child of my own. I had to move out; Mum and Philip wouldnt let me bring my husband under their roof. They flatly refused to share the flat with a stranger.
My husband’s relationship with Mum never took off. Philip, on the other hand, barely even acknowledged who Id marriedhe simply didnt care. Mum did help out occasionally with my sonshed babysit when I needed her. Or at least, she used to. Not long ago, I rang her to ask if she could pick up my boy from nursery, only to be told she couldntshe was looking after Philips granddaughter.
That was the first time I truly remembered that Philip had a daughter somewhere. So, Charlotte must have had a childa granddaughter had appeared out of nowhere. I bit back my disappointment, but it wasnt the only rejection. Growing more suspicious, I decided to pop around unannounced to see what was really going on.
No one was home. In the spare room, I noticed a cot, baby clothes hung up everywhere, and the quilt on my childhood bed was rumpled. I called Mum, hoping she could explain what on earth was happening.
Charlotte lives with us now. Philip and I agreed she couldshes having a rough time and needs the help, Mum huffed defensively, and then she snapped, Havent you ever heard of calling before you drop in?
That was that. I was now a guest in my own flat. Not only had my mothers husband been living in my home while my husband and I scraped by renting, nowwhile I was slogging away to pay off the mortgagetheyd moved his daughter and granddaughter in as well. Was I expected to keep working for the bank, while Philip and Charlotte lived it up on my property, not a care in the world?
I was seething. Mum only made things worse; when they got home, she told Charlotte to go to her room and lock the door, then dragged me off to scold me about my unacceptable behaviour. The shock was overwhelming.
As long as Charlotte lives here, thats final. Theres no discussion to be had, Mum declared.
I asked about the house Philip had once left for his old family.
Mum shut me down. Thats none of your business.
I was gobsmacked. Surely it was my business, when some young woman with a baby was living in my own room!
We had a blazing row, Mum and I. I told her straight: Charlotte had to go or Id be moving back in, husband and all. Mum threatened to sign over her share of the flat to Philip, warning me it would be in my best interest to calm down and not make a fuss. Frustrated, I rang Philip on my way home. He bluntly said it was none of my concern who lived where, and that hed invite anyone he pleased into what he called his house.
My husband advised me to let the whole thing go. We have somewhere to live, our sons about to start schoollife would work itself out. Maybe I was just bitter that Mum had let a stranger move in, while her own daughter was still paying off the mortgage. Later, Mum had the gall to ring asking to see her grandson. I, still furious, told her shed be better off spending her time with her other granddaughterPhilips. She called me foolish and insisted shed wait for an apology.
What exactly should I be apologising for? That Im the only one looking after our shared property? That my stepfathers daughter is now living in my room? I started thinking about splitting things up for good measure. Just then, Charlotte herself called. She offered to move out if her presence was upsetting, said she didnt want to be the cause of family discord.
I dont believe her. She isnt as innocent as she acts. Where did Mum get the idea to sign her share over to Philip? Thats precisely what Charlottes hoping for! I have no clue what to do now. I loathe whats happening. Im convinced Philip and Charlotte hatched this planmoved her and her daughter in to manipulate Mum and snatch away whats left.
How can I keep Mum safe? Is there some legal cover I can get? Maybe force a sale and split the money so Mum can get herself a small one-bed somewhere? Or do I simply barge in, take possession of my half, and force Charlotte outfinally putting Philip in his place?
