Mate, you should’ve seen Hannah this morningshe was absolutely buzzing, singing with joy! I mean, who wouldn’t be? She finally has a flat of her own. Her place, no more grumpy landlady flicking off the lights at eleven on the dot, standing over her while she cooks, turning the gas off under her boiling pot. No more silly rules about not using the hairdryer or straighteners in case it sets the place alight.
Baths? Forget it. Only showers, once a day, and you had to pick: morning or evening. Either way, Mrs Edith would be loitering near the door, knocking and telling her to keep the water noise down. She put up with Ediths mentoring for a whole yearhorrible woman thought herself Hannahs wise old guide. As soon as Hannah hit eighteen, she begged her parents to let her move into halls at uni.
But that was a nightmare, too. Bedbugs and cockroaches? Minor inconvenience. Having your frying panwith chips sizzling awaypinched while your backs turned? Definitely a low point. The worst bits, though? Flatmates bringing blokes over all the time. She put up with it for a year, then once her dad visited and saw the chaos, he whisked her out of there in no time.
So Hannah got a place with old Mrs Doreen. Lovely lady, barking mad, but kind at heart. That lasted five years while Hannah finished studying, saved every penny for a deposit, and dreamed about having a tiny corner of the world to call her own. While other girls spent their pay on dates, dresses, and handbags, Hannah just worked, scrimped, and savedher idea of a treat was splashing out on an extra nice supermarket meal. Even Mrs Doreen would tell her to have a break and let her hair down, but Hannah kept at itdead stubborn.
Then, one visit, her parents dropped a surprisetheyd decided to help her out. And more than just themGrandma Lily had chipped in too. Now, Lilys an old cousin of Hannahs dada tough old schoolteacher who never had a family, taught until she was eighty-five, and fell out with just about every relative around. The only person shed halfway listen to was Hannahs dad, really. And she absolutely doted on Hannahs mumanother teacher, of course.
One day, Lily cornered Hannahs dad, asked him for help getting into a care home. He didnt say much right then, just took a look around with Hannahs mum, and they quietly sorted out Hannahs room for Lily instead. After all, their own daughter lived in London now. And Lily, sharp as a tack despite her age, told her nephew there was no reason to feel guiltyshe knew she was a handful and probably spoiled the familys patience years ago. But Hannahs parents told her not to be daft, itd give them peace of mind knowing she was safe and there.
It worked out greatLily kept an eye on their family pets (the cat and Archie the parrot), and everyone shared meals instead of running all over the place. Mum could have company while dad went off on his fishing weekends. Lily wasnt sure at first, but soon warmed upshe loved not being alone anymore.
She spent a few happy years in their bustling house, surrounded by family and affection, then, when her time came, she passed away quietly, leaving everything to Hannahs dad. For Hannah herself, she passed on a special necklacean old family heirloom, held onto through hard times and never once pawned. Hannah treasured it.
Thats when dad suggested selling Lilys old house and putting the money towards a place for Hannah in her new city. So just like that, our Hannah was the proud owner of a two-bedroom flat. The previous owner swore shed left behind good vibes in the place, and Hannah dove straight into redecorating. Mum and dad would visit, roll their sleeves up, and pitch in with the renovations. Hannah would come up with wild new ideas, and her dad, ever the patient soul, always made them happen.
Eventually, the place was transformed. Mum loved it so much, she got inspired to redo their family homeand Hannah promised to draw up a new design for her. So, Hannah settled in, made friends with her adopted city, and honestlyshe started to love living there.
At work, she met Sophie, and the two became close. Sophie would pop over for tea all the time. One afternoon over biscuits, Hannah told her about how, as a kid, she used to sneak up onto the roof of her old block with her mate Jessie and sunbathe.
Thats brilliant! said Sophie, eyes twinkling. Dyou reckon we could do the same?
Thats fine as long as we dont get locked out up there, Hannah laughed. Me and Jessie once got stuck till dark; old Mick the caretaker, deaf as a post, locked the door. We were yelling our heads offbut he just stuck the padlock on as usual. Dad came home early that day, guess he had a hunch, and rescued us.
Ouch, hope you didnt get in too much trouble, Sophie grinned.
Nahdad always spoiled me! Mum was the strict one. He covered for all my antics. She still doesnt know half of it!
Lucky you! I got into all sorts of trouble as a kid. But maybe lets just ask the caretaker for the key this time?
So they did. At first, old Roger, the caretaker, wasnt keenAgainst the rules, you know! Health and safety and all that. But after some wheedling, he relented, gave them the key, but made them swear not to cause mischief.
So the girls spent half their Sunday lazing on the rooftop, sunning themselves. A few times, they borrowed the key again, thanks to good old Roger.
One day as they were heading down, they noticed someone else up therea smartly dressed older woman, sitting by the pipes, quietly eating a sandwich.
Sorry, who are you? the girls blurted out in unison.
Oh, me? she replied, a tad flustered, swallowing her bite. Im Im Irene Brooks.
Hannah blinkedshe was sure she recognized her. Wait are you the lady who used to own my flat?
Yes! said Irene, blushing. Youre the lovely young woman who bought it off me. Her eyes welled up as she told her story.
Turns out, Irene had raised her son Nick on her ownhusband ran off for another woman, classic. Nick was always frail, and everything in Irenes life revolved around him. He did wellschool, uni, Masters, rose up at work, everyone there loved him. Bad luck with girlfriends, though.
Then, about five years ago, Nick started staying late at the officesoon introduced Irene to his new girlfriend, Angela: hardworking, warm, pitching in straight away, cleaning, cooking, the works. Nick had bought himself a bigger flat ages ago but still lived with his mum out of convenience. Once the couple moved into their own place, Irene got her first taste of finally living for herself.
Didnt last. Angela quickly had three kids in as many yearsfirst Michael, then Oliver, then Sophie. After Sophie came along, the young couple suggested Irene sell her flatafter all, she was living with them, what use did she have for it?
So Irene moved in fully with them. But, as she told us, it quickly became a little slice of hell. Angela went back to work and expected Irene to mind all three kidskeep the house spotless, cook, feed, change, and take them for walks, read them stories everything! But not scold or teachabsolutely not. Basically, keep the household running perfectly but hand the kids back for actual parenting.
When she became unwellsky-high blood pressure, doctors orders for rest and peacethere was none to be found in a house with three wild children. Nick would just tell her Come on, Mum, movement is life! Plus, your cooking is the best, kids are with their gran, we can work more and earn moreits a win-win. Look how lucky we are to be one big family!
And once, they swanned off to the seaside for summer, leaving Gran with the kids just for a breakIrene said she thought she might not make it. She loved the kids, of course, but she was just totally, completely worn out. So, she liedtold Nick she was off to visit an old friend, and instead treated herself to art galleries and museum visits. Sometimes, she just sat by the river all night, not sleeping, just enjoying the quiet.
Where do you sleep then, miss? Sophie asked.
Irene just smiled. Oh, I dontsummer nights, you know. Sometimes, Id think about sneaking back onto this rooftop, remembering when Nick used to hide up here as a boy.
The girls were outraged. No way could they leave her like that. Hannah and Sophie got her to come over for dinner.
Wow! said Irene, looking around Hannahs flat. Youve made it so beautiful. I wish Id never listened to Nick and Angela Not that Im complaining, mind.
Sophie gently asked, Hope you dont mind me asking, but when you sold your flat, what happened to the money?
Shes a sharp one, is our Sophie, Hannah reassured her. Dont be shy, Irene.
Oh, I gave it all to Nick and Angela, of course. Nick said hed put half away for mewith interestand keep half for himself.
You know, for that money you could get yourself a lovely one-bed flat, mused Sophie.
Well help with the decorating and all that! chimed in Hannah, excitedly.
Irene started to protest, but they wouldnt have it. A month later, thanks to Sophies legal wizardry and Hannahs DIY skills, Irene moved into a beautiful one-bed in her old neighbourhood. Rumour has it Sophie gave Nick a thorough talking-to at work, though no one knows what exactly was said. Nick grumbled that Irene shouldve just spoken up if it was that hard; family should support each other, after all. Angela rolled her eyes and stopped talking to Irene, but the grandchildren soon arranged sleepovers at Grandmas in turn. Eventually, even Angela settled down, the kids got into a good nursery, and everyone found their groove.
Irene and Hannah became fast friends, often popping round each others for tea or heading to exhibitions together. As for Sophie, she declared, When Im old, Im keeping my own place and thats thatnot sleeping on benches or running up to rooftops after dark!
Hannah just laughed in agreement.
Honestly, sometimes life surprises you in the best ways. Morning, my darlings! Thanks for being part of it all. Big hugs!
