The Summerhouse Obstacle She Got Back What Was Hers
Hannah, you have to understand, the situation is dire, Malcolm took off his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh. Marinas been on at me for months now.
Shes set her heart on some fancy school programme she found for Oliver. You know, our boy.
She says he needs to get ahead, strengthen his English. But where am I supposed to get the money?
You know Im not working at the moment.
Hannah slowly lifted her eyes to her father.
So, youve decided selling the summerhouse is the best option? she asked quietly.
What else could I do? he perked up, leaning forward. That place just sits there unused. Marina wont go near it too dull for her, midges everywhere…
She doesnt even know its not been mine on paper for ages. Thinks well put it on the market and live happily ever after.
Hannah, youre a clever girl. Heres the plan: you sell it properly, legally. You get back the money you lent me all those years ago down to the last penny!
And then whatevers left over the profit, really you let me have. Family helping family.
Youre not losing out, are you? You get your money back and help your dad.
Her father had shown up uninvited. They barely spoke these days his other family had always taken priority, and Hannah, his eldest, had long learned to stay out of the way.
Shed guessed he wanted something. She just didnt expect his request to sound so odd.
Dad, lets just remember what happened ten years ago, Hannah said once hed finished. When you turned up and told me you needed money for your operation and recovery.
Do you remember?
Malcolm winced.
Is it really worth dredging all that up? I pulled through, thankfully.
The past? Hannah laughed hollowly, shaking her head. That was my deposit for a flat. Money Id spent five years saving up, working weekends, missing holidays, scrimping wherever I could. Then you appeared. No job, no savings, but a new wife and a son.
And you took every last pound.
I was desperate, Hannah! What else could I do? Lie down under a bridge and die?
I offered to help, Dad, remember? Hannah continued, ignoring him. But I was honest: I was scared you might not pull through, and Id end up with nothing no money, no home.
And you had a legal heir, after all Marina would never let me near the summerhouse.
We argued about it for a week, didnt we? You refused to write an IOU, acted hurt.
How can you not trust your own father? you said.
But all I wanted was a guarantee.
Well, you got your guarantee! Malcolm snapped. We did the paperwork, the place became yours. I basically sold it to you for pennies, enough to cover my treatment.
But the agreement was: I keep using it, then, when I had the funds, Id buy it back.
Its been ten years, Dad. Ten. Have you once mentioned buying it back? Given me so much as a pound? No.
For all those summers, you kept going there, growing your tomatoes, burning firewood firewood I paid for, by the way.
Ive paid all the tax on the place. I paid for the new roof three years ago.
Youve lived there as if you owned it, never shortchanging yourself, while I paid off my mortgage.
Malcolm dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief.
Well I havent worked, you know that. It took ages to recover from the treatment, then my age no one wants to hire me.
Marina shes delicate, her job gets her down. We live off her online sales, and just about make do.
Delicate, is she? Hannah stood and paced the kitchen. And me? Guess Im thick-skinned. Able to juggle two jobs just to pay my mortgage and your summer retreat.
And now Marinas decided its time to sell my summerhouse to pay for Olivers trip to Cyprus?
My summerhouse, Dad! Mine!
Hannah, technically yes but you know it was meant to be temporary. Im your father. I gave you life! Cant you see Oliver needs a leg up?
Oliver? Hannah stopped abruptly. Ive met this brother of mine all of twice. Hes never bothered to send me a birthday card. And Marina has she ever asked how Im getting on? Ever wondered how I managed the payments?
To her, youre still a rich man, just fallen on hard times.
Youve lied to her for ten years, Dad.
Malcolm looked away in shame.
I meant well… didnt want to upset her. Shed only get cross if she knew Id signed the place over.
Signed it over?
Hannah, dont twist my words! Malcolm barked. Youre making a fuss over nothing! The summerhouse is worth five times what it was. The markets soared.
You take your £30,000 you gave me, which is only fair and the other £70,000 goes to me.
I need it for Olivers education, Marinas dental work, and a new car the old ones falling apart.
Its not like you need the £70k, youve got your flat in London, and youre comfortable.
Help your family!
She stared, not recognising the man whod once read her bedtime stories.
No, she said crisply.
What do you mean, no? Malcolms mouth dropped open.
Im not selling. And I certainly wont be giving you a share.
Its mine, Dad. Both legally and morally.
You had a decade living there for nothing. You recovered, enjoyed the peace and quiet. Consider that my support for you.
Thats the end of it.
Youre serious? Malcolms face turned red. Youre stealing the last thing your father has!
If not for me, that summerhouse wouldnt be here! My father built the place!
Yes, Grandad. And hed spin in his grave if he could see you flogging it off to pay for fancy schemes for a lad who, at nineteen, still hasnt worked a day in his life.
Hannah, come to your senses! her father shouted, leaping from his chair. You owe me! I raised you! If you bow out now, Ill tell everyone how greedy you are.
Ill tell Marina everything, and shell cause a scene you wont forget!
Well take you to court! Well have the sale overturned you took advantage while I was ill and robbed me of my property!
Hannah gave a bitter little laugh.
Try it, Dad. I kept every single bill from the hospital, every transfer to your bank.
And the signed contract you agreed to at the solicitors, after your treatment in full possession of your faculties.
I suppose Marina will be very surprised to find out you sold the place before Oliver started junior school.
You told her it was a family inheritance, didnt you?
Hannah Malcolms voice suddenly took on a whining, wheedling note. Darling, please. Marinas in a very delicate place
She finds out the truth and shell throw me out. Shes fifteen years younger, she only stays because it looks stable. If I lose the summerhouse and the money, shell leave. You want to see your old man on the streets?
You should have thought of that before, Hannah felt cold anger rising. Ten years you didnt work. Let Marina rack up more credit. Promised her the world at my expense!
So you wont help? Malcolm straightened, voice hard. Some daughter you are. Raised you for this
Go home, Dad. Tell Marina the truth. Its the only way youll salvage any dignity.
Choke on your summerhouse! Malcolm spat as he stormed out. And know this: youre no daughter of mine. Forget you ever had a father!
He left, and Hannah smiled dryly. As if hed ever really been there for her.
The truth was, hed left when she was seven.
***
The phone rang on Saturday morning, number withheld.
Hello?
Is that Hannah? She immediately knew the voice her stepmother. Who do you think you are, you little madam?
You think we dont know how you tricked poor Malcolm? He told me everything!
Shoved the paperwork in front of him when he was doped up after surgery!
Marina, good morning, Hannah replied evenly. If youd like to talk, no need to shout.
Morning? Weve already drafted a legal claim!
Our solicitor says that contract would be thrown straight out. You exploited your fathers illness and took the family asset for peanuts.
Well see you in ruin!
Marina, please listen.
I understand Malcolms told you his version. But I have all the proof the money was used for his treatment.
I even have ten years worth of messages from him, thanking me for managing the place, letting him stay there.
He wrote himself, Thank you, love, for not abandoning me, the summerhouse is in safe hands.
What do you think a judge would say?
There was stunned silence Marina hadnt expected this.
Youre a disgrace, she hissed. So your own flats not enough? Have to take everything your brother has? Oliver needs his chance!
Oliver needs to get a job, Hannah retorted. Just like I did at his age.
And Marina, its time you knew the truth. Remember all those shares he said he owned?
What shares? Marinas voice wavered.
The imaginary ones. Hes been living off the money I gave him, passing it off as dividends.
Check his bank statements if you dont believe me. Hes been lying to you all along always playing the sick card.
I got into debt myself, thinking I was saving my fathers life. Only recently did I learn the full truth.
Marina hung up. That evening, Hannah received a text from her father.
Just three words: You ruined everything.
***
She didnt reply. A few days later, Hannah heard from neighbours that Marina had kicked Malcolm out of the summerhouse in spectacular fashion, flinging his things through the windows while the police arrived to calm things down.
Turns out Marina, believing the sale was guaranteed, had already plunged into debt taking a huge loan with sky-high interest to pay for Olivers big start.
Malcolm had to move out. Marina filed for divorce once she learned how much shed been lied to.
As for Oliver, he showed his true colours, refusing to help his father and quickly moving in with his girlfriend, saying, Its his own fault.
Where her father is now, Hannah doesnt know. She doesnt intend to find out.
Sometimes, doing the right thing means standing your ground, even when it hurts. Family bonds are precious, but they cant survive without trust and honesty and no one should be made to pay for someone elses false promises.
