I took care of my husbands grandfather for a good ten years. We all lived crammed into a rented flat with our two children. Meanwhile, my husbands sister, Emily, was happily settled in Grandads council flat all that time. No one else had the faintest interest in the old fellownot his daughter, nor the other grandchildren. My own life wasnt going brilliantly, to be honest. Never finished universitywent and got myself pregnant insteadand the idea of a stellar career was like me winning the lottery: not likely.
Each day was like a replay of the last: juggling looking after grumpy Grandad and sorting out the kids, one scrambled tea after the next.
My husband couldnt cope with the endless pressure at home, so naturally, he took refuge in the local pub far too often. Other women werent remotely interested in himwhod want a man with two kids and no property to speak of? So, he always ended up back with me. I forgave him, not that I was still in love, but it meant hed hand over a bit of cash for the kids and the old chap. Emily barely showed her face, except when she came round to swipe Grandads pension or moan about her dire finances. Not that her family were strugglingthey didnt even pay rent, so they managed holidays in Spain every summer.
Then, five years ago, Grandad left me the tenancy to his flat. Youre dearer to me than this whole bunch put together, he said. My grandsons a wet blankethed just hand over the flat to his mum or sister. Let your kids, my great-grandkids, have a proper roof over their heads. Think of it as a little thank you for all youve done. And maybe so you dont curse me when you look back and realise you missed out on life caring for someone else.
Of course, nobody in the family had a clue about any of this. But when Grandads health took a turn, suddenly his daughter and Emily were popping round constantly, draping themselves in false concern. Grandad wasnt softhe saw right through them.
As soon as the old fellow passed away, everyone started bickering over what hed left behind. The mother-in-law and Emily ganged up on my husband, persuading him to sign away any claim, since Emily had already bagged the place. He meekly agreed, but nobody knew about the will.
Next day, husband starts packing a suitcase and announces he has another woman, and that the only reason he even stuck around was Grandad. Off he went, and honestly? I practically heard a choir of angels singing as the weight lifted off my chest. Then, once the rest of the family discovered the existence of Grandads will, it turned downright medievalthreats, legal letters, the lot.
Listen here, youre never getting that flat! I dont know what you did to look after our Grandad, or how you tricked him into signing it over, but you wont get away with it. Youre a proper con-woman, and well prove it in court. Leave my son and his kids alone; hes finally got a new lady whos half-decent looking.
All I could think was, You know what Ive realised? Im now fully entitled to tell the lot of you where to go, and for as long as I fancy. Soplease shut the door on your way out.
Did their words hurt me? Not for a second. Ive got a proper job now, Ive got my own place with the kids, and the best bit? I no longer have to deal with that lot ever again.
What would you have done in my shoes?
