The ring of my daughter-in-laws mobile changed my intentions to help the young couple find a place to live
I have lived alone for quite some time in a pleasant one-bedroom flat right in the heart of London. My husband passed away five years ago, and I inherited another two-bedroom flat from my aunt, situated in a less desirable part of the city, but still quite well laid out. For years, I let it to some very tidy young people, popping round once a month to collect the rent and check on the place. For two years, I had no complaints to speak of.
When my son married, he and his wife decided to make their way on their own, renting a flat and saving every pound they could for a deposit on a mortgage. I neither objected nor interfered, although, in truth, I had intended to offer them my aunts flat eventually, so they could do with it as they likedremodel it, redecorate, or even sell it if they wished.
A year after the wedding, their first son was born. With the arrival of my grandson, I felt even more certain that it was time to put my intentions in writing. It was only a week ago that I changed my mind.
It all happened after my 60th birthday. Determined to celebrate in style and treat myself, I booked a room in a local restaurant and invited a host of friends and family members, naturally including my son and his wife.
My daughter-in-law and I usually get along without trouble. Shes an emotional sort, given at times to outburstseven towards mebut I put this down to her youth and never took it to heart. However, the way she put me on display in front of all my guests that night changed everything.
My son and his wife arrived at the restaurant together with their child. The lively atmosphere wasnt ideal for a baby, so my daughter-in-law warned me that theyd likely leave after an hour, which I understood perfectly.
When it came time to go, my daughter-in-law couldnt locate her mobile. I followed her about, trying to help; to speed things up, I decided to ring her number from my own phone.
The guests, seeing our little commotion, grew a touch restless and hushed. Suddenly, from the windowsill, there blared a furious growlbarking, and the howling of a dog! Heads turned at once toward the noise. My daughter-in-law went scarlet, dashed to the window, snatched up her phone, and quickly silenced it.
The people Id known for years stared at her, then at me. My brother took charge, soon music played again, and he raised another toast in my honour, but, as the old saying goes, the spell had been broken.
All evening after that, I could see my guests whispering and speculating about the rather original ringtone my daughter-in-law had assigned to my number. The next day, I asked my son for an explanation, as surely hed heard it before. But he dismissed it as nothing out of the ordinary.
Since that moment, Ive kept my distance. The thought of gifting them the flat is on hold until our relationship improves. At the very least, Id like to hear a simple apology from them both. If they fancy me as a dog, well, so be ittheyre entitled to their opinions.
