I Just Want to Go Home, Son Victor sat on the little stool out on his London flat’s balcony, lighting a cigarette as a bitter lump formed in his throat. He tried to steady his hands but couldn’t stop the shaking. Never had he imagined the day would come when there wouldn’t be room for him in his own home… “Dad, don’t be so upset!” called out Laura, his eldest daughter. “I’m not asking for much—just give us your room, please! If you can’t do it for me, then think of your grandchildren. They’re about to start school and we’re still all cramped in one room…” “I’m not moving into a care home,” Victor replied calmly. “If you need more space, move in with Michael’s mother. She’s alone in a three-bedroom place—you’d all have your own rooms.” “But you know I’ll never get along with her!” Laura shouted, slamming the balcony door. Victor stroked his old dog, Barney, remembering his late wife, Nadia, and, as his tears rolled down, he thought about the lonely life she’d left him to face. He and Nadia had raised Laura with kindness, hoping she’d turn out caring—but something had gone awry. Laura grew up selfish and cold. Barney whined softly and lay at his master’s feet, sensing Victor’s heartbreak. “Grandad, do you not love us?” asked his eight-year-old grandson, entering the room. “Of course I do! Who said otherwise?” Victor replied, surprised. “Then why don’t you want to leave? Aren’t you being greedy, keeping your room from me and Kostya?” the boy snapped, echoing Laura’s words. Victor realised Laura had turned the child against him. “Alright, I’ll go,” he answered quietly. “You can have the room.” Everyone in the house seemed to resent him, even Barney was no longer welcome. “Are you serious?” Laura ran in, delighted. “Yes,” Victor whispered. “Just promise you’ll look after Barney. I feel like a traitor…” “Oh, stop it—he’ll be fine. We’ll take him for walks and visit you at weekends,” Laura promised. “I found the perfect care home for you—you’ll like it there.” Two days later, Victor arrived at the care home, only to find Laura had lied about its comforts. It was a dreary council facility filled with neglected old folk. He unpacked his few belongings and sat outside, nearly in tears. “New arrival?” an elderly woman named Valerie asked, joining him. “Yes,” Victor sighed. “Don’t worry—once you settle in, things seem less awful. My nephew put me here after I signed my flat over to him. Well, at least I’m not homeless…” They spent the evening reminiscing. Valerie offered Victor companionship, bringing a little joy to his otherwise dreary days. But Victor longed for home—and hoped Laura would come for him, or at least let him speak to Barney. Calls went unanswered. One day, Victor spotted his neighbour Stephen by the entrance—he was shocked to find Victor there. “Your daughter’s lied to everyone, saying you moved to the countryside. I always thought something was off—especially since Barney’s been outside your old building for days,” Stephen said. “She put Barney in a shelter and now she’s moving, renting out your flat. What happened?” Victor explained everything, wishing he could undo his rash decision. “I just want to go home, son,” Victor whispered. “I’m a solicitor—I help people in your situation. Have you been officially signed out of your flat?” Stephen asked. “No, unless Laura did it herself. I don’t know what to expect anymore.” “Pack your things—I’ve got my car out front. We can’t let this stand!” Victor hurriedly packed, promising Valerie he’d return for her someday. On arriving at his old flat, he found it locked and Laura gone. Stephen took him home, and with his legal help, Victor reclaimed his rights to the property. “She won’t give up, but there’s one solution: sell the flat, give Laura her share, and buy yourself a small cottage in the country.” “Perfect!” Victor beamed. Three months later, he moved into a cosy country home, with Barney by his side. “Wait, first I must visit Valerie,” Victor insisted. He found her sitting on their old care home bench, gazing into the distance. “Valerie, come with Barney and me! There’s space, fresh air, fishing—please say yes.” She hesitated. “Just stand up and come with us. There’s nothing left for us here,” Victor laughed. Valerie agreed, tears of joy filling her eyes. Against the odds and cruelty, Victor and Valerie proved there are still good people in the world. They fought for their right to happiness and finally found peace—reminding us kindness will always outshine selfishness.

I miss home so much, my boy.

Today I stepped out onto the little terrace, lit a cigarette (Im not supposed to at my age, but old habits die hard), and settled down on the low wooden stool. Theres a bitter lump in my throat. I try to pull myself together, but my hands betray me, shaking wildly. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine a time would come when there wouldnt be space for me in my own flat.

Dad! Please dont get so worked up! Laura, my eldest, came rushing out after me. I hardly ask for anything. Just leave us your room, thats all! If you dont care about me, please think of Jack and Harry. The boys will be starting school soon, and all four of us are crammed in together.

I took a deep breath. Laura, I wont go into a care home. If its too cramped here for you and the kids, why not move in with Michaels mum? Shes got that three-bedroom, all to herself. You, Jack, Harryeveryone would have their own space.

You know I could never live with her! my daughter snapped, slamming the glass door behind her.

I reached down and stroked Bailey, our old retriever, whos been by my side, and my late wifes, for so many years. Thinking of dear Margaret, I teared up. I dont suppose you ever really get used to losing your partner. Its been five years now shes been gone. All these years we walked togetherdid it ever cross my mind, that with a daughter and grandchildren under my roof, Id end up so alone?

We raised Laura with love, tried to teach her kindness. But somehow, things didnt turn out quite right Shes become selfish, so caught up in herself.

Bailey gave a quiet whine, curled up at my feet. He senses my gloom. Dogs always know.

Granddad? Dont you love us? Jack, my eight-year-old grandson, walked into the terrace.

Of course I do. Who told you otherwise? I tried to smile.

Why wont you leave, then? Dont you want me and Harry to have our own room? Are you just being greedy? Jacks face was clouded with anger and scorn.

For a moment, I considered explaining, but realised he was parroting Lauras words. Shed obviously filled his head already.

Fine. Ill go, I replied, my voice empty. Youll have my room.

Truth be told, I just couldnt bear it any longer. I could see every one of them resented me, even Michael, my son-in-law, who hasnt spoken a word to me in weeks, and my grandson, turned against me by his mother.

Daddy! Do you really mean it? Laura burst out, her face alight with triumph.

Yes, I whispered. Just promise me you wont mistreat Bailey. I feel like such a traitor leaving him

Oh, Dad, stop it! Well take care of him, I promise. Hell have walks every day. Well even visit you at weekends, all together with Bailey, she assured me. Ive picked out the very best care home for you. Youll love it there.

Two days later I was sent off to the home. Laura had sorted everything ages ago, just waiting for me to snap. I entered a stuffy room that smelled of damp and bedbugsand regretted my decision bitterly. Laura had lied; it wasnt some nice private home, but the ordinary sort, crowded with people with nowhere else to go.

I unpacked, took a walk downstairs, and nearly broke down on a bench in the tiny garden, watching the helpless old folks around me. What a miserable life awaited me now.

New face? asked a cheery old lady, settling down opposite.

Yes I sighed.

Dont feel too down. I cried for weeks myself. But you get used to it. She smiled kindly. Im Valerie, by the way.

Victor, I replied. Did your family put you here too?

No, my nephew. I never had children, so I left him the flat, bit too soon it turns out He took it over and packed me off here. At least its not the streets, I suppose

We talked long into the eveningreminiscing about good times, about partners now gone. And the next morning, after breakfast, we walked together again.

Valerie brought a bit of hope into my days. I couldnt stand that place inside, so Id spend all my time outdoors. The food was ghastly enough that I ate sparingly, just enough to keep going.

I waited for Laura to visit, hoped she might change her mind and bring me home. But weeks passed, and nothing. One day I tried to call for Bailey, but no one picked up.

One afternoon outside, I spotted my old neighbour, Stephen Hill. He saw me, eyebrows raised, and hurried over.

So here you are! Lauras been telling everyone you moved out to the countryside. I knew something didnt add up. Youd never let Bailey roam the streets alone.

What do you mean? I asked, alarmed. Wheres my dog?

Dont worry, hes safe at the animal shelter. I had the feeling something was wrong. Bailey spent days sitting outside the block, waiting. I bumped into Laurashe claimed you moved to the village, and shes selling up to join her husband. As for Bailey, she said he was too old and you didnt want him anymore. Victor, what is going on? Stephen asked, seeing my face go pale.

I told him everything, that Id give anything to turn back time and undo my foolish decision. Not only had my daughter stripped me of my home, shed driven poor Bailey out too.

I just want to go home, son, I whispered.

Youre in luck. I came here for just such a case. Im a solicitor; I help older people fight for their rights. Right now Im sorting out a home claim for another bloke whose neighbours stole his house. Tell meyou havent officially signed yourself out, have you?

No. Unless Laura did it for meI wouldnt put it past her

Pack your things, Victor. Ill be waiting in the car. We cant let this go on! Shes no daughter to you at all.

I ran upstairs, threw everything into my old duffel, then hurried back down. Valerie was sitting on the bench.

Val, Im leaving. My neighbour says Laura kicked Bailey out and is selling my flat. Thats how it is, I said.

How awful, she murmured. And me?

Dont worry, as soon as Ive sorted it, Ill come for you, I promise.

Some promise Who really needs me? she sighed.

Im sorry, Val. I must go. But Ill keep my word.

I couldnt get into my own homeLaura had changed the locks and moved out days ago, renting the place to strangers. Stephen took me in, and thanks to his help, I managed to fight for my rights and keep my flat.

Thank you, I told him, but how do I go on? Laura wont rest until Im out for good

There is a way, Stephen said. We can sell the flat, give Laura her share, and with the rest, buy you a place of your own. Maybe a little cottage outside the city.

That would be wonderful! Just what I need, I said, heart lifting.

Three months later, I was moving into my new house in the countryside. Stephen helped every step, even driving me out with Bailey.

One last stop, I asked him.

I spotted Val across the gardenshe sat alone on the old bench, gazing wistfully.

Val! Bailey and Ive come for you. Weve got a cottage now, fresh air, fishing, berries, mushrooms, all close by. Come with us? I grinned.

Me? Are you sure? she stammered.

Just stand up and come along, I laughed. Lets go, Val! Theres nothing left for us here.

She smiled through her tears. Will you wait ten minutes?

Ill wait as long as you need! I replied.

In the end, despite the malice of their families, Val and I managed to find our chance for happiness. It turns out there are kind-hearted people in the worldfar more than the cruel ones. We learned that for ourselves. In the end, we stood up for what mattered and found peace and joy at last.