Dear Diary,
My brother James called me yesterday and asked if I could transfer my share of the family cottage to him. His sole excuse was that he had cared for Dad over the past three years.
I left the family home as soon as I started university. After graduating, I stayed in London, landed a solid job, and got married. Our son, Oliver, arrived not long after.
James also married, but he continued living with Mum and Dad in their Yorkshire farmhouse. I can say nothing bad about himhes a decent man and his wife, Emily, is wonderful. They lived peacefully with our parents for many years, and eventually they had two children of their own. Although we were independent and could visit the farm whenever we liked, my fatherinlaw still gifted us a car.
In summer we often drove out to the coast for holidays and helped Mum and Dad with the house and garden chores. Poppy, the neighbours daughter, was always close to Mum; everyone wanted to lend a hand. Three years ago Mum passed away, and I could no longer assist as much. On top of that, the nationwide economic downturn forced me to pick up extra work just to keep our flat.
We barely had time to venture into town. A month ago Dad died. We organised the funeral together and split the costs evenly between James and me.
Now, with Jamess request, Im bewildered. Dad had a modest monthly pension that even helped his grandchildren. How could an elderly man suddenly need money, especially from a farmhouse? He seemed to think his caregiving entitled him to my share.
I dont quite grasp what he means by caring. Our parents never said the house would go to him alone. I dont want to ruin our relationship, but I also dont understand why I should surrender something thats rightfully mine. I still have a mortgage to repay, and Oliver could benefit from what his grandparents left us.
Were at a loss. I told James I couldnt give an answer now and would need to discuss it with my wife first. How do we handle this without tearing the family apart?
