You know, I honestly dont think my brother married very well. At first, I really tried to keep things civil with my sister-in-law. My brother and his wife moved in with Mum and me for a bit, and from that point, I ended up in the box room, Mum shifted herself into the lounge, and we handed over the master bedroom to the newlyweds. But Charlotte wasted no time in making it clear she didnt consider us on her level. She likes to remind us shes a professors daughter, you see. She outright refused to do any cleaning or cooking, saying those jobs werent her responsibility. When she fell pregnant, she claimed she needed absolute peace and quiet in the house.
Mum isnt the confrontational type, so she just put up with it all in silence. I couldnt even have my mates round, because apparently Charlotte needed her sanctuary. She demanded fancy food and a calm atmosphere, which meant Mum was now cooking separate meals for her as well as for the rest of us. I had a few goes at chatting with Mum, suggesting she shouldnt bend over backwards for Charlotte, who was getting cheekier by the day. Nearer the due date, my sister-in-law suddenly declared that her unborn child was simply going to need its own nurserywhich meant she wanted me turfed into the living room with Mum.
That was the last straw. When I pushed back, Charlotte burst into tears, acting as though we were about to force her into premature labour. My brother stuck up for her, naturally, and called me all sorts. In the end, Mum told my brother he had to sort out their living situation. Eventually, they moved outwhich was honestly a relief. I didnt even know when their son was born, or when the christening was. My sister-in-law made it very clear: no gifts, just money for the baby, and she even dictated the amountone-hundred pounds.
Mum simply didnt have that kind of spare cash lying around, so Charlotte wouldnt let us see the baby at all. At first Mum was pretty upset, but a bit later, they started bringing the boy round themselves. Sometimes Charlotte would drop him off with us if she fancied a coffee out with her friends or a nail appointment. But there was always a complaint: we dressed him wrong, we fed him wrong, something was always the matter.
When the lad turned one, my brother and Charlotte popped by for a visit and announced that their housing situation still hadnt sorted itself out. Since they couldnt get a mortgage, Charlotte decided shed go back to work, and she thought I could look after the baby since I’m doing a teaching degree.
Youre at the university for education, youll get some practice looking after children. Its tough for us managing on just your brothers wage. We cant pay you. And your courses? Well, you could always switch to part-time, you should really be helping, she said, as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world.
Obviously, I said no.
I tried to explain to my brother that their problems about where to live were nothing to do with me. Why on earth should I give up my own education for their sake? After that, I had to put up with Charlotte whinging non-stop that I wouldnt take care of their son.
She ended up calling us selfish, and swore theyd never set foot in our house again. And for about half a year, they really didnt come by. Then one day, my brother turned up at home. Turned out Charlotte had gone back to work and met someone else thereanother bloke. She divorced my brother, demanded child support, and is now threatening to keep his son away unless he pays up.
Problem is, this new chap Charlotte got involved with? Hes married already and isnt at all interested in settling down with her. So my brothers ex is still stuck living in some rented flatwhich, by the way, my brother is still paying for. My brothers apologised to Mum and me now, saying next time round hell be much more careful choosing a wife.
