I looked after my husbands grandfather for ten years. All that time, my children and I lived in a rented flat. My husbands sister, Emily, lived in the grandfathers council flat then. Nobody seemed to care about himnot his daughter-in-law, not his grandchildren. My own life hadnt gone as I had hoped: I never finished university because I fell pregnant and never managed to build a proper career.
Each day blended into the next: juggling the care of my husbands grandfather and raising my children.
My husband didnt like the constant strain at home and often buried himself in the pub or went off on drunken benders. No other women wanted a man with children and no house to his name, so he always found his way back to me. I forgave him, although my feelings had faded over the years. I put up with it for the sake of the children and the old man, because my husband would give me money for their needs. Emily, meanwhile, only rarely visitedusually just to ask the old man for a bit of his pension or to complain about her money woes. But truth be told, she and her lot werent hard up. They didnt pay rent, after all, and could even afford holidays abroad.
Five years ago, the grandfather left me his flat in his will. Youve become dearer to me than anyone else in the family, he told me. My grandsons too soft, hed just hand the flat over to his mother or sister. Let your children, my great-grandchildren, live here instead. Consider it a reward for everything youve done. And so you dont end up cursing me for wasting your life.
None of the family knew about this. As soon as the grandfathers health declined, both his daughter-in-law and Emily started showing up with fake concern. They must have guessed what was coming and tried to look caring. But he saw through them completely.
After he passed away, they tried to claim the inheritance straight away. My mother-in-law and Emily pressured my husband to give up the flat since Emily was living there. He agreed, but the will was still a secret.
The very next day, my husband packed his things. He told me hed met another woman, and that the only reason he stayed was to help with his grandfather. He left, and I felt a huge sense of relief. Once the family found out about the will, all hell broke loosethey bombarded me with threats.
Listen, youll never get that flat! I dont care how you looked after Granddad or tricked him into the inheritanceit wont work. Youre a real con artist and well prove it in court. Leave our son alone with his new girlfriend. He finally has someone worthwhile.
You know what I realised? I can finally afford to send them packing for good. So I told them straight: get lost!
Their words didnt bother me at all. I know Ill have a decent life nowIve got a new job, I have a home for my kids and myself, and, most important, Ive nothing more to do with that lot.
What would you have done if you were in my shoes?
