“Don’t forget, you’re living in my flat and always have been.” “Here we go again. Are you going to hold this over me forever?”
Tanya and Oleg had been married for ten years.
Tanya had a mother and a stepfather whod raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, Tom, wasnt his biological child eitheronly her little sister, Natalie, was. But he never treated them any differently.
When Tanya got married and moved in with her husband, Natalie was just eight.
Oleg got on with his father-in-law straight away. No surpriseMichael Andrews could chat sincerely with anyone, whether it was a child, a teenager, or a grown man. He spoke to everyone as equals, always finding common ground.
Oleg had nothing bad to say about his mother-in-law either, but he and Michael bonded instantly, and soon Oleg was calling him “Dad.” His own father had passed away.
His mum had gone to stay with his grandmother when she fell illand never came back. She left the house to him.
Tanya and Oleg did it up just the way they liked. Michael helped. Tanyas mother grumbledshe couldnt understand why her daughter would leave the city for a village.
“Mum, its a town. A proper townthere are even five-storey buildings in the centre!”
“Youre in a cottage, on the outskirts. Thats the countryside to me”
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter were growing up. After uni, Tanyas brother Tom decided to stay in the city, far from home. Her younger sister got married. They didnt have a place of their own, so they started rentingpaid for by Natalies parents.
“Let them stay with us,” Michael said to his wife.
“I dont mind, but we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Why did you change jobs?”
“Weve been over this. The kids are grown, they earn their own money. Working two jobs was too muchand after I got sick, it got worse. Expenses are lower now.”
“Natalie needs a flat.”
“Shes got a husband.”
“Dont forget, youre living in *my* flatalways have been.”
“Here we go again. Are you going to hold this over me forever?”
“Choose! You need to work for your daughters flat!”
“Choose what? Work myself to death or what?”
“Or leave.”
“I cant do that kind of workyou know that.”
“Then Im filing for divorce. Go. Youve got that house.”
“That house? Have you seen it? What state its in after all these years?”
“I dont care. You never wanted to sell it.”
Michael packed the bare essentials in silence.
“Take it all, or Ill throw the rest out.”
“Weve spent our whole lives togetheryoure retiring next year. Im sixty-three.”
“You shouldve married someone younger. I should never have agreed to this. No one else wouldve taken me with two kids. They were baggage.”
“Youre talking about the *kids*? Fine, Ill go. Ill get the rest of my things in a week. Just wait”
“Mum, wheres Dad?”
“You know hes not your real father.”
“What difference does that make? Hes my dadIve never had another.”
“Weve split up. Natalie and her husband are moving in here.”
“What? Wheres Dad?”
“Back in his old village.”
“And Natalie agreed to send him there, weak as he is? How could you?”
“Why do you even care?”
“Its not right. Does Tom know?”
“Why tell him? Hes miles away. Why are *you* here, anyway?”
“Just visiting. Were going on holiday tomorrow. Thought wed stop by Toms afterhes close by.”
“What do you want from *me*? I need money for repairsyour sisters pregnant, and theyre moving in soon. So dont ask for anything. Did you bring the kids? Im not babysitting.”
“We dont need anything. Weve got money, the kids are coming with us. Thats not why were here. When were you going to tell us about the divorce?”
“Why should you care? Hes only related to Natalie.”
“But when he was loving us and providing for us, he was family? Now hes a stranger? Thats not right, Mum”
“Dont you dare judge me! I did everything for you!”
Oleg walked back in. Hed stepped out earlier when Tanya started arguing with her motherrealising her dad was already gone. Hed barely managed to call him. Michael never carried his phone, always left it at home. But luckily, he answered.
“Of course its not my place to judge. *He* was the one who did everything for us. Time will tell.”
“Come on, Tanya,” Oleg said, tugging her hand. “Ive got the details. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandads.”
“You found out? Lets go.”
“I did. Had to drag it out of himhe didnt want to say.”
“Youre brilliant. I never even knew the address. They never told us, and we never went.”
Michael met them outside the old house.
“Grandad, does a mean granny live here?” the kids asked excitedly.
“No. She stayed in the city.”
Tanya and Oleg laughed. The joke landed, even though Dad was in low spirits. He was happy to see them, trying not to show how upset he wasbut it was obvious.
“Why did you come looking for me?”
“How could you live like this?! We came to sort things out. Why didnt you just tell us?”
“Why bother you? Your mother said her pieceI got the message.”
“I understood her too. But how will you manage here? Its summer nowwhat about winter? Did you bring all your things?”
“Everything. Theres nothing here except old furniture, but itll do. If this is how it is, then Ill manage.”
“Of course you willbut not here. Pack your things, Dad. Youre coming home with us.”
“Yes, Dad, get your stuff. Well fetch the rest later. Just take what you need.”
“I cant leave. Im not alone.”
“We can see that. And weve been meaning to get a dogthe kids keep asking.”
“Someone dumped himhes just a pup”
“Bring him too. He can guard the house.”
Dad didnt crybut the tears came anyway.
“Dad, were going away for ten days tomorrow. Youre in charge. Heres your room. Foods stocked, shops are nearby, weve left money. Well stop by Toms on the way. Just keep your phone on you”
“Dad, were back!” Tanya called as soon as she stepped inside.
Oleg and the kids followedbut no one answered.
Instead of Michael, Tanyas mother walked out.
“Mum?! What are you doing here?! Wheres Dad?!”
“I came to *check* on your placeyou were away,” she said, as if it were nothing. “And then I find *him* herewith his little dog”
“Wheres *Dad*?!” Oleg demanded.
“Natalie and her husband moved into my flat. *Ill* be living with you. Its not far from town, and its nice here.”
“Do you hear me? Wheres Dad?!”
Tanya and Oleg were lost.
“How should I know?” Her mother shrugged. “Probably where he was before.”
“Listen, love. Youve had your visittime to go. Were home now, so”
“Tanya! How dare he speak to me like that?”
“Mum, its time. Dont bother unpacking. Get your things.”
They found Dad back at the old house. He was lying on the sofathe puppy asleep on the rug beside him.
“You again? Why? Im fine here. Just having a nap,” he said, sitting up. “Theres someone else living in your place now.”
“Not my mother-in-law. Even if you wont come with us, shes not staying.”
“She thinks otherwise. Shes freed up the flat for Natalie.”
“Come on. Get in the carthe kids brought you presents. Dont forget the dog. Leave the rest for now. Well sort it later.”
“Hes already waitingjumped in and sat right there,” Oleg said. “Tanya, Natalies callingyou left your phone in the car.”
“So Mums made it backor just had a meltdown. Ill ignore it for now
