So, let me tell you whats been happening with my family latelyhonestly, its done my head in. Mum remarried about eleven years ago. My stepdad, Philip, had a daughter from his first marriageher name was Emily and she was fourteen then. Philip actually left their old house to his first family, signed away all his rights, and moved in with Mum and me, into the flat wed inherited from my dad.
Philips never kept in touch with Emilyshe didnt want anything to do with him. He paid her child support and that was the end of it. I cant say Philip and I ever really bonded or anything. He wasnt harsh or shouty, never tried to discipline menot that you could, I was sixteen and not exactly looking for a new father figure.
We all lived together for three years, then I got married and had a baby. Heres where it gets tense: I had to move outI wasnt allowed to bring my husband in. Mum and Philip refused to share their roof with a stranger (their words).
Mum never had much time for my husband, really. Philip could barely remember his name and didnt care to get involved. But, to be fair, Mum did help me with my sonshe never turned down a bit of babysitting. Well, she used to, anyway.
The other week, I rang Mum and asked if she could pick my son up from nursery, but she said she couldntshe was busy looking after Philips granddaughter. That took me aback. Id almost forgotten Philip even had a daughter, let alone a granddaughter now.
So, I bit my tongue and tried not to take it personally. But when it happened again and again, I started getting suspicious. The next time, I decided to just go round to see what was up.
Guess what? No one was home. But inside, there was a cot in the spare room, baby clothes everywhere, and my old duvet was all rucked up on the bed. I called Mum straight away to ask what was going on.
She told me, Emilys living with us now. Philip and I both agreed. Shes going through a tough patch, shes on her own with the baby. Then, quick as anything, she snapped, And since when do you just turn up without calling first anyway?
I nearly laughedlike I need an invite to my own flat. So, not only did my mums husband end up living in the flat that was left to me, while my husband and I are paying a mortgage for a rented place, but now Philips daughter and granddaughter are settled in there too! Is it fair that I work myself silly just to cover bills, while they lounge about in a place thats technically mine?
Well, I was livid. And to make matters worse, when they got back, Mum told Emily to go lock herself in the spare room so she could talk to me about my outburst. I was honestly stunned.
Then Mum lays it out, clear as anything: Emilys here for as long as she needs. Thats that.
So I asked about the house Philip left to his first family. She shut me down: Thats none of your business.
Sorry, but it is my business when Emily and her baby are in what used to be my room!
Mum and I had an almighty row. I told her that either Emily moved out or Id officially move my husband in with meend of discussion. Mum hit back that shed give her whole half of the flat to Philip if I wanted to play tough, and warned me to keep calm if I knew what was good for me.
I called Philip on the way home. He just goes, Who lives where here is not your concern. Ill invite whoever I want into my home.
My husband reckons I ought to let it goweve got our own place, our little boys nearly at school, and things will settle down. But I cant shake how miffed I am that my own mum would let another family bunk in our flat, rent-free, when Im footing the mortgage and she didnt even ask me first.
Eventually Mum rang, wanting to see her grandson. I told her no, maybe she should spend time with her other granddaughter instead. She called me childish and demanded an apology.
Apologise? For what, exactly? For being cross that she acts like the landlord of our joint property, or for letting Philips daughter move into my room? I considered asking to formally split the flat. I even got a call from Emily herself, saying shed be happy to move out if it made things easier, that she didnt want to be a source of trouble.
But I honestly dont buy it. Something feels offwhy would Mum start talking about handing her share to Philip all of a sudden? Maybe thats what Emilys after. Im really stuck here. I dont like whats happening at all. I cant help feeling Philip and Emily have got some plan, bringing her and the baby in, trying to get their hands on Mums share too.
What should I do? I want to make sure Mums alright and not being taken advantage of. Should I sort out the deeds, sell up, and split the cash so Mum can get her own little flat? Or should I just turn up with my stuff and move into my half? Honestly, the whole things twisted, and I just want to protect my mum and set things straight.
