Hello, Margaret, I cant get to youIm feeling awful, Emma said, her voice shaking. Daniel and Poppy left little Kevin with me and went off to a party. I cant reach them.
Again? What on earth is happening? Im coming right over, Mum, I replied.
Half an hour later I was at my mothers flat in Manchester.
My blood pressures spiking, I cant settle it. My head feels like its about to split, she complained.
Should we call an ambulance? I asked.
No, I just need to lie down. And Kevin wont stop running around the room, crawling everywhere. Hes still tiny, he doesnt understand a thing.
I moved the toddler to the spare bedroom.
Theyve gone again, leaving a sick greatgrandmother to look after a baby. Theyre selfish, never think of anyone else. My mother is old, its hard enough for her to sit with a child, and they have no responsibilitiesjust drinking and partying in their heads.
An hour later Daniel and Poppy stumbled back, a few pints in.
Daniel, Grandmas feeling worse and youve ignored my calls. Why did you leave Kevin with her again? I demanded.
Mum, its fine! Shes just faking it; shes as healthy as a horse, Daniel blurted.
Dont you dare speak like that! You two have no conscience! Not only have you moved in here, youre also burdening an elderly woman! I shouted.
And youre not going to buy us a flat, so where are we supposed to live? Poppy snapped.
Maybe you should both find work? Kevin could go to a nursery; they take children from two years old, and then you could earn something.
Were already workingrunning a vlog together. Once we hit a few thousand followers, the money will pour in. Weve invested in ads; the payoffs coming soon, Daniel said confidently.
Thats nonsense! There are more vloggers than fleas on a cat! We cant even afford a flat for a proper home, let alone a house for a family. You should have thought about that before getting married, I retorted.
It wasnt my fault Poppy jumped into this so quickly! I had to get married! Daniel tried to defend himself.
It wasnt my fault? Im the one who chose this! Im the one who married you! Poppy interjected, her voice slurred.
Enough! I told you to stand up for yourself now youre the one to blame, I snapped.
Im done listening to your drunken fantasies. Im leaving, and youll leave Grandma alone! Poppy stormed out.
I checked on my mother; she was asleep. The pill had finally worked.
Dont shout, Grandmas sleeping. Im out of here, I muttered and left.
A few weeks later, Poppys hopes fell apart and they rushed a tiny weddingjust close family. The young couple refused to move into a rented flat and begged my mother, Agnes, for a room.
Grandma, you have two spare rooms, thatll be enough. Poppy will help with cleaning, cooking, and shopping, Daniel pleaded.
Will you at least help your own grandson? Well get on our feet, buy a flat, and move out. It wont be for long, I warned.
Agnes sighed. Ive lived alone all my life, and you lot are noisy, probably blasting music, having guests over. And now a child is comingno peace at all And my hypertension is acting up.
Itll be fine, dont worry! Youll get to spoil your greatgrandson, Daniel promised.
When I finally learned they had moved into my mothers flat, they begged me not to object, knowing Id fight back.
Darling, stop shouting. Theyll stay a while and then move on. They wont be out on the streets, I told Daniel.
You agreed to this for nothing. If Daniel found a job sooner, you wouldnt be stuck with this nonsense. Theyll live off child benefits while Poppys parents keep throwing money at them, my husband warned.
Daniel dropped out of his studies, couldnt join the Army because of his asthma, and now seemed to be losing his mind.
I never refused to look after Kevin, but when they started bringing him over every day, my patience snapped.
Youre parentsyou should spend time with your child. Youre off gallivanting with friends, filming silly videos. Bring Kevin over once or twice a week; I have my own life, I warned.
So they left Kevin with Agnes. It was hard on her, but Daniel kept promising it wouldnt happen again.
Margaret, did you know your mother is now an internet star? a colleague asked.
What do you mean? She doesnt use the internet, I replied.
Daniel asks her ridiculous questions on camera, answers them seriously, and then they mock her. The comments are outragedyoung people teasing a grandma they dont even know, the colleague explained.
I was furious. This crossed a line.
I left the office and dialed Daniel.
Hello, love, I said.
Dad, why are you filming Grandma and posting it online? Have you lost your mind?
Its a trend, Mum! She just answers simple questions. Whats the problem?
Its exploitative. Youve posted all those videos! Its disgusting, I shouted.
Its not disgusting. Its helping us grow the channel, earning money, and moving out. Dont interfere, he retorted.
I hung up, seething. That night I told my husband, who also erupted.
Enough, Margaret. We cant let them treat Grandma like a prop, he said. Ill go talk to them.
Daniel was at home, Poppy out with the baby, and Agnes resting.
Whats the fuss about? Everythings fine. Ignore the jealous strangers. Were all making money however we can, Daniel said dismissively.
But stop filming Grandma behind her back! Delete the videos now! I demanded.
Come off it, Mum! Im an adult, you cant tell me what to do! Daniel snapped.
Fine, then move out and live somewhere else! You cling to my mother like a leech, demanding her pension. Have you any shame? I shouted.
She offered to help, and she isnt immortal. After shes gone, the flat will be mine. Why stay in rented places? Just wait, Daniel replied.
Their arrogance stunned both me and my husband.
My flat will go to my daughtermeso think twice before you try to claim it, Agnes said firmly when she heard the argument. First prove you can support yourselves, then delete those videos!
The next day Daniel didnt leave. Agnes intervened.
This is my flat, and Im not throwing you out. Ive gotten used to you staying here. Its not about moving a child around, she said.
I watched the videos Daniel had posted; nothing shameful appeared. Fine, keep filming if you must, she whispered, surprising herself.
My dear, lookyoull have to live with them. Im worried about your peace of mind, my husband warned.
Two weeks later Agness health deteriorated sharply. An ambulance was called but could do nothing.
Hello, Mum, theres no sign of Grandma Agnes The ambulance said her heart gave out, Daniel whispered, stunned.
It collapsed? Just yesterday she seemed fine, I sobbed. Well go with my father right now.
Grief crushed me; I hadnt even said goodbye.
At the funeral Daniel wept, and I thought his tears were genuine. He loved his greatgrandmother, even if hed been a torment.
Mum Grandma left the flat to me. She signed a deed shortly before she passed. I didnt pressure her; she wanted it that way, Daniel confessed.
I was shocked, silent, and unsure what to do next.
A few days after the burial, I entered my mothers flat to collect a few belongings for the neighbours. The door was ajar; I slipped inside. From the bedroom I heard Poppys voice.
How many times can we live with this grandma? Shes always nagging us to be quiet, refuses to sit with Kevin, she muttered. I just want my own flat. We cant afford a mortgage; the vlog brings in little. Daniel wants a job, but wholl hire a weak, asthmatic guy?
She continued, When Grandma fell ill I pretended to be busy, gave her the wrong tablets, and only called an ambulance when she started choking. I signed her deed so Daniel could inherit, then I pretended to be upset about everything.
I burst into the room, fury blazing.
You vile witch! Youve exhausted Grandma and now you brag? Im calling the police! I shouted.
Poppy dropped the phone, eyes wide with terror.
Its not what you think I made it all up! What are you doing here? she stammered.
What am I doing? Ill tell Daniel everything! I roared.
He wont believe you. Even if he does I dont care! Kevin isnt his son! she hissed.
Enough! This ends now, Daniel shouted, stepping forward.
Dont you dare lay a hand on her! I warned. He hesitated, then fled the room. Poppy grabbed her bag and left with the baby, not calling the policethere was no evidence.
Later, Daniel confessed that Kevin was not his son; hed been with another man, Victor, who abandoned her. Shed been dating me for a while.
Whatever, Ill quit the vlog, delete the videos. This nonsense has to stop, Daniel said, finally seeing the damage.
He divorced Poppy, sued for paternity, and eventually found stable work, earning a decent salary.
I watched as he changed, asking for advice, listening to my counsel. He later married a kind, sensible woman, the polar opposite of Poppy.
Poppy and Daniels chaotic saga finally settled. My husband and I felt relief that our son was finally behaving responsibly and maturely.
The lesson became clear: when selfish ambition tramples on those who have given us everything, the house of lies crumbles, and only honesty, respect, and genuine effort can rebuild a life worth living.
