The air in the flat was thick with tension.
“Either you let my brother move in, or pack your things and get out!” snapped the man.
Victoria had stayed at work two hours late. Two new clients had booked appointments after glowing recommendations from friends.
“We only want you, Victoria! You’re the best hairdresser in town!” Their words had made her smile all the way home.
Maybe it really was time to start her own business. Enough waiting for “better days.”
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the walk back. But as she stepped into the hallway, unfamiliar voices drifted from the flat. She paused, key in hand. Inside, a battered rucksack lay sprawled in the corridor, dirty boots kicked off by the door. The stench of stale beer wafted from the kitchen.
“Vicky, look whos back! Its Kieran!” Her husband, Paul, leaned out from the kitchen with a strange, strained grin.
Slouched on the sofa was Pauls younger brother, staring blankly at the table. The same Kieran whod vanished four years ago to chase after a dancer from some nightclub.
“Hi,” he muttered, barely glancing up.
“Mum, whos that?” whispered her daughter, just back from ballet.
“Thats your uncle Kieran, love. Dads brother. You were too little to remember him.”
“Whys he so weird?” Emily lowered her voice.
“Go to your room, sweetheart. Well talk later.”
Victoria locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The mirror reflected exhaustion. Roots needed touching up, but her mind was elsewhere.
Four years ago, when Kieran left, Paul had hardly spoken to his parents for a month, blaming them for driving him away. Then, as if hed accepted it, he stopped mentioning Kieran at all. Until now.
Paul followed her to the bedroom, hesitating before speaking.
“Hes staying. Just for a bit. Needs help. His wife cheated. Cant go to Mum and Dads.”
“You decided that without asking me?” Victoria spun to face him. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“What was there to discuss? Hes my brother. Hes got nowhere else.”
“Paul, weve got a teenage daughter. Have you seen the state hes in? You think its fine for her to see this every day?”
“Thats why he needs us. Family!” Pauls voice was sharper than shed ever heard. “I cant just abandon him. I wont!”
“How long?”
“As long as it takes.”
“And what about Emily? Have you thought about her?”
“Vicky, stop!” His raised voice startled her. Fourteen years together, and shed never heard him like this.
“Fine,” she turned to the window. “But tell him no drinking here. And he finds a job.”
Paul left without another word. Through the walls, she heard murmurs from the kitchentoo quiet for her to catch.
The kitchen clock ticked past midnight before silence settled. She lay awake, listening to Pauls footsteps as he paced the flat, setting up Kieran in the lounge.
“Itll be alright,” he whispered, slipping into bed. But she wasnt sure anymore.
***
Morning reeked of stale beer. Victoria cooked breakfast in silence, ignoring the empty bottles and overflowing ashtray.
A month in, and their kitchen had become a 24-hour pub for two.
“Mum, Im off to school.” Emily darted past her snoring uncle, clutching her bag. Lately, she hardly stayed homealways at a friends or some new club.
Watching her hurry out, Victoria felt anger simmer. This “temporary” guest had dismantled everythingfamily dinners, quiet evenings, the trust between them.
“Morning.” Paul emerged, already dressed. “Coffee?”
“Leftover from yesterday.” She nodded at the pot. “We need to talk.”
“Not now. Im late.” He grimaced at the cold cup.
“When, then? Youre always late. Or with him.”
Paul stiffened. “Whats that supposed to mean?”
“That we cant keep supporting a grown man. Its not right!”
“Hes depressed, Vicky. Cant you see hes a mess?”
“And what about us? Emily doesnt even want to come home. Youve changed. I dont even know you anymore.”
He set the cup down hard. “Well talk tonight. Calmly.”
“No. Now.” She blocked the door. “I want him gone in a week. Let him rent his own place, find a job. But not on our dime!”
“Are you serious?” Pauls glare was icy. “Youd throw my own brother out?”
“Im saying stop enabling him! Hes not even trying!”
“He needs time!”
“How much? A year? Forever?” Her voice cracked. “Do you even care what this is doing to us?”
“Hes my family too! I wont abandon him like our parents did!”
“So thats your choice?” Tears spilled.
“Its not a choice. Its duty. You just dont get it.”
He left without a goodbye kiss. From the lounge, Kierans snores rumbled. Victoria slumped into a chair, staring at Pauls abandoned coffee.
***
Days passed in silence.
Victoria left early, returned late. Paul pretended not to noticetoo busy with Kieran, whispering over pints.
Emily tiptoed around them, met with snapped “Were fine, love.”
At night, lying awake, Victoria caught fragments from the kitchen: “She doesnt understand family sticks together too soft on her”
***
Friday, Paul came home early. Kieran snored in the lounge. Emilys music thumped from her room.
Victoria stirred soup, the rhythm steadying her thoughts.
“Sorted it,” Paul leaned in the doorway. “Found a solution.”
She waited. Silence had become easier.
“Simple. Kieran can stay in your flat.”
Her grip tightened on the spoon. That flat was her safety netleft by her godmother, hers alone.
“Its got tenants,” she said flatly.
“So? Give them notice. Whats the issue?”
“Paul, are you hearing yourself? Theyve got kids. A lease. I wont do it.”
“Fine. Then he stays here. No discussion!” He smirked. “Your call.”
She wiped her hands slowly. “Youd really kick out a family to house him for free?”
“What choice is there? You wanted him gone.”
“I wanted him to grow up. Get a job. Be a man, not a leech!”
“Hes depressed!”
“Or just lazy?”
Pauls fists clenched. “Dont you dare”
She cut him off with a smile. “I see now. This isnt temporary. Youve made your choice.”
His smirk faltered. “What?”
“Me or him.” She pulled out her phone. “Ill call the solicitor tonight.”
***
Three weeks later, Victoria barely came home. Extra shifts, coursesanything to stay away.
Emily moved to her grans. “Exams,” shed said.
Paul didnt argue. The flat became a lads denfootball, takeaway, laughter she wasnt part of.
Mornings revealed beer bottles, pizza boxes, ash. Paul kissed Kierans head but barely glanced at her.
Until the day he burst in, grinning.
“Great news! Kierans moving out!”
She froze. “Really?”
“Yeah! Got a job, plans and all.”
“Thats wonderful.” Hope flickered. Maybe
“Just needs a hand settling. Call your tenants tomorrow. Months notice. Well pay em off.”
Her hope died. “We already talked about this. No.”
“But its different now! Hes trying!”
“No. I wont uproot a family for him.”
Paul kicked a chair. “You dont get it, do you? Hes finally pulling himself together!”
“And Im done enabling it. If he wants independence, he can rent like everyone else.”
“Decent people help family!”
“Decent people dont mooch!”
The mug shattered against the wall.
“Right.” Pauls voice shook. “Either he gets your flat, or you leave.”
She laughed softly. “I decided weeks ago. Just waited for you to show your true colours.”
In the bedroom, a folder waiteddivorce papers, flat sale agreements, her share of the home.
Paul paled. “Youre mad.”
“No. Im free.”
Kieran shuffled in, bleary. “Whats going on?”
Victoria tucked the folder under her arm. “Just realising some people care more about siblings than their own wives.”
***
One month later, Victoria stood on a new balcony. Below, an unfamiliar city hummed. Emily unpacked inside, humming.
“Mum, when do we see
