“Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.”
“Oh, here we go again. Is this going to be your favourite guilt trip now?”
Tanya and Oliver had been married for ten years.
Tanya had a mother and a stepfather whod raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, Archie, wasnt his biological child eitheronly her little sister, Natalie, was. But hed never treated them any differently.
When Tanya married and moved in with Oliver, Natalie was just eight. Oliver got on famously with Tanyas stepdad right awayno surprise, really. Michael Johnson could chat earnestly with anyone, whether it was a toddler, a teenager, or a grown man. He spoke to everyone as an equal, always finding common ground.
Oliver couldnt say a bad word about his mother-in-law either, but he and Michael bonded instantly, and soon Oliver was calling him “Dad.” His own father had passed away years ago.
His mother had gone to stay with her own mum after falling illand never came back. She left the house to him. Tanya and Oliver had done it up just how they liked, with Michaels help. Tanyas mother had grumbled the whole timeshe couldnt fathom why anyone would leave the city for a village.
“Mum, its a town. A proper town. Theres even a block of flats in the centre!”
“Youre in a cottage. On the outskirts. Thats the countryside”
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter grew up. Tanyas brother Archie moved away for university and stayed in the city. Her little sister Natalie got married, but with no place of their own, they started rentingpaid for by Natalies parents.
“Let them live with us,” Michael said to his wife.
“Fine, but we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Why did you change jobs?”
“Weve talked about this. The kids are grown, earning their own keep. I cant keep working two jobs, not after my health scare. Expenses are lower now.”
“Natalie needs a flat.”
“Shes got a husband.”
“Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.”
“Oh, here we go again. Is this going to be your favourite guilt trip now?”
“Choose! You either work to pay for our daughters flat”
“Or what? Whats the alternative?”
“Or you leave.”
“I cant work like that, you know I cant.”
“Then Im filing for divorce. Go. Youve got that house.”
“The house? Have you seen it? Its been years.”
“Not my problem. You didnt want to sell it.”
Michael packed a bag in silence.
“Take everything now, or Ill bin the rest.”
“Weve spent our whole lives together. Youre retiring next year. Im sixty-three.”
“Shouldve married someone younger. I only said yes back then because whod take a woman with two kids? They were baggage.”
“Our children? Ill go. Ill get the rest of my things this week. Be patient”
“Mum, wheres Dad?”
“You know hes not your real father.”
“And? Hes my dad. The only one Ive got.”
“Weve split up. Natalie and her husband are moving into the flat.”
“What? Wheres Dad?”
“Back in his village.”
“And Natalie agreed to send him there? How could you?”
“Why do you care so much?”
“Its inhuman. Does Archie know?”
“Why tell him? Hes far away. Why are you even here?”
“Just visiting. Were going on holiday tomorrow, then stopping by Archiesits on the way.”
“What do you want from me? I need money for renovations nowyour sisters pregnant, theyre moving soon. So youll get nothing. Did you bring the kids? Im not babysitting.”
“We dont need anything. Weve got money, the kids are coming with us. We didnt come for that. When were you going to tell us about the divorce?”
“Why should I? Hes only Natalies real father.”
“When he loved us and provided, he was family. Now hes a stranger? Thats not right, Mum”
“Dont you judge me! I did everything for you!”
Oliver stepped back inside. Hed left when Tanyas argument with her mother began, realising Michael was already gone. Hed barely managed to call himMichael rarely carried his phone, but this time, he answered.
“Of course its not my place to judge. Hes the one who did everything for us. Time will tell”
“Tanya, lets go.” Oliver tugged her hand. “Ive got the whole story. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandpas.”
“You found out? Lets go.”
“I did. Had to pry it out of him. He didnt want to say.”
“Brilliant. I never even knew the address. We were never told, never visited.”
Michael met them by the old house.
“Grandad, does a wicked witch live here?” the grandkids chirped.
“No. She stayed in the city.”
Tanya and Oliver laughed. The joke landed, though Michaels mood was grim. He was glad to see them, trying not to show itbut failing.
“Whyd you come looking?”
“How could you live here?! We came to sort things out. Why didnt you say anything?”
“No point troubling you. Your mother said her piece. I understood.”
“I understood her too. How will you manage here? Its summer now, but winter? Did you bring your things?”
“All of them. Place is emptyjust old crockery, really. But Ill manage. If this is how it is, this is how it is.”
“Absolutely not. Pack your things, Dad. Youre coming home with us.”
“Yes, Dad, pack up. Well get the rest later. Just grab the essentials.”
“I cant. Im not alone.”
“We can see that. And we still havent got that dog the kids keep begging for.”
“Someone dumped him. Just a pup”
“Bring him too. He can guard the house.”
Michael didnt cry. The tears just fell on their own.
“Dad, were off on holiday tomorrow for ten days. Youre in charge. Heres your room. Foods stocked, shops nearby, left you some cash. Well stop by Archies. Just keep your phone on”
“Dad, were back!” Tanya called as soon as she stepped inside.
Oliver and the kids followedbut no one answered.
Instead of Michael, Tanyas mother appeared.
“Mum, what are you doing here?! Wheres Dad?!”
“Just checking on your place while you were away. Then I find a stranger herewith a dog, no less!”
“Wheres Dad?!” Oliver demanded.
“Natalie and her husband moved into my flat. Im living with you now. Close enough to town, and cosy.”
“Do you hear me? Where is he?!”
Oliver and Tanya were lost.
“How should I know? Probably where he was before.”
“Sweetheart, youve overstayed. Were home now, so”
“Tanya! How dare he speak to me like that?”
“Mum, its time to go. Dont bother unpacking.”
They found Michael back at the old house, sprawled on the sofa, the pup asleep on the rug.
“You again? Why? Im fine here. Just a nap after lunch. Someones living in your place now.”
“My mother-in-law isnt staying in my house. Even if you wont come back, shes not welcome.”
“She thinks otherwise. Freed up the flat for Natalie.”
“Lets go. Get in the carthe kids brought you presents. Dont forget the dog. Leave the rest for now.”
“Hes already waiting. Jumped in himself.” Oliver nodded. “Tanya, Natalies callingyou left your phone in the car.”
“So Mums either arrived or thrown a fit. Not answering yet.”
Michael stayed with Tanya and Oliver. His ex-wife never showed up again. Archie visited them instead of his motherthere wasnt room for his family at hers.
“Were moving,” he announced one day. “Want to be closer.”
“Brilliant.”
“Buying a flat?”
“No. Want a house. Got my eye on some land.”
“Ive got land, son. If youre interested, we
