My brother is six years older than me. Three years ago, he got married and decided to move into his wifes flat instead of living with our parents. With rent in the city being eye-wateringly expensive, that was really their only sensible choice. I, on the other hand, had been married for six years by then and already had two little ones, a six-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. My wifes originally from London, so naturally, thats where we ended up settling down. As we were both working, we managed to buy a tiny flat with a mortgage barely big enough, but it was ours.
Just recently, I got a message from the parents: my brother and his family are coming to visit us for a week, and apparently, Im expected to play gracious host and put them all up in our flat. Honestly, I was pleased at the thought of seeing my brother after ages, but theres just no way we could house them our family of four crams into a one-bedroom flat as it is.
After picking them up at Kings Cross and trekking around London for the day, Mum and Dad had another go at persuading me to let my brother, his wife, and their son stay over, what with accommodation in London costing an arm and a leg. But it simply wasnt possible. At dinner, I suggested booking them into a nice hotel brother dearest was absolutely horrified at the suggestion and insisted on staying at mine.
I rattled off every alternative I could think of: a good hotel, a local B&B, or maybe renting a flat through friends. Every option was shot down immediately. It was obvious they wanted a free ride in the capital city free beds and free meals, naturally. Look, I absolutely believe its my right to say no. My own familys comfort has to come first. My wife and kids deserve more than being squeezed like sardines for a week. And besides, Im not in debt to anyone for room and board and certainly not to my brother!
