Margaret woke up in the care home. Her daughter-in-law had arranged everything meticulously, but overlooked one crucial detail…
Consciousness returned to Margaret suddenly. She blinked her eyes open, finding herself in an unfamiliar room that resembled a hospital ward. Her head throbbed, temples pulsing with pain, and her memory was a blank void. How had she ended up here? What had happened?
Closing her eyes, she tried to piece together the events that had led her to this place. Fragments surfacedher small, cosy two-bedroom flat, left to her by her late husband. After he passed, she had lived there peacefully with her son, Edward. For years, warmth and understanding filled the house.
Everything changed when Edward married. From the moment Charlotte arrived, tension crackled between them.
“This place is dreadful,” Charlotte declared, eyeing the flat. “The furniture belongs in a museum, the curtains look like theyre from the war. It all needs ripping out!”
Margaret bit her tongue. Every item held a memory of her husband.
“This is *my* home,” she snapped. “If you dont like it, the doors right there.”
Charlotte took it as a challenge. She bided her time, then strucksuddenly demanding Margaret clear out her books.
“We can barely breathe in here! The whole place is covered in dust! And need I remind you, were expecting a baby?”
Margarets temper flared. “Those books arent just paper to me. If dust bothers you, wipe it away. But dont touch my things. Wait until Im gone if you want to redecorate.”
The arguments became constant. Eventually, Edward, exhausted, moved out with Charlotte into a rented flatbut he still visited his mother. One day, awkwardly, he pleaded, “Mum, please try to get along with Charlotte. Were struggling, and we need you.”
“I *am* trying,” Margaret said quietly. “But I think she enjoys the fights.”
Edward sighed. “Well sort it.” Though he didnt know how.
Then, in the park, Margaret met Arthura kind, lonely widower. Their conversation flowed effortlessly. For the first time in years, she felt light. He was warm, genuine. She came alive again.
Later, over dinner, she introduced him to Edward and Charlotte.
“Edward, Charlottethis is Arthur. Hes going to move in with me.”
Arthur smiled. “You two can have my flat. Its small, but rent-free.”
Charlotte exploded. “Are you joking?! Were crammed into a one-bed with a baby on the way, and youre living it up?! Never!”
She stormed out. Edward, red-faced, muttered, “Sorry… hormones…” and hurried after her.
Margaret sat stunned.
…The memory dissolved in sharp pain. Where *was* she?
The door opened. A young woman in a white coat checked her pulse without a word.
“Pleasewhere am I? Whats happened?” Margaret asked.
“You dont remember?” The reply was icy. “You attacked an elderly woman. She barely survived. Youre lucky it didnt go further.”
“Thats *ridiculous*! Id neveryouve made a mistake!”
The nurse ignored her, injecting something before leaving without a glance.
Later, a woman in her sixties entered. “Hello. You must be Margaret. Im Evelyn. This isnt a hospitalits a care home. Most of us arent ill. Were here because our families didnt want us.”
Margarets stomach dropped. “But I have a flat, a pension. Edward would never”
“Everyone here *had* something. But look where we are. Some suddenly have dementia. Others turn violent. Easy to fake.”
“Im *not* ill!” Margaret hissed.
“Then think. Anything strange before this? Symptoms?”
Margaret went still. Charlotte *had* started bringing foodespecially those irresistible scones. After eating, shed feel drowsy… thoughts muddled…
“Its *her*. She hated me. But Edward… Arthur… theyll find me.”
Evelyn shook her head. “Dont count on it. No calls, no letters. Were forgotten. The paperworks all legal.”
Margaret clenched her fists. “I wont stay. Ill *escape*.”
“Not yet. That nurseIrene? Shes dangerous.”
Margarets blood ran cold. But she squeezed Evelyns hand. “We *have* to try. Theres a nurse, Daisyshe wants to help. I have someoneArthur, ex-military. He wont abandon us.”
The next evening, Daisy slipped them a phone. “Youve got minutes. *Hurry*.”
Hands shaking, Margaret dialled. Arthur answered.
“Its me. Ill explain later. Just *come*get us out.”
Within hours, sirens wailed outside. Police stormed the building. Arthur burst in, pulling Margaret into a crushing hug.
“Charlotte lied. Said you were too ill to see anyone. Edward was awayI didnt know…”
Margaret went home with Arthur. Evelyn stayed with them until things settled. When Edward returned and learned what Charlotte had done, he was horrified.
The care homes management faced investigation. Charlotte was arrestedgiving birth in custody. Edward took their son, bringing Margaret immense joy.
Later, Edward divorced her. Arthur, now living with Margaret, swore no one would ever hurt her again.
Was it too high a price for a two-bedroom flat?
