My husband inherited a small flat from his aunt, right in the heart of London. It wasnt much, just a modest two-room place, but in those days anything in the city centre was treasured. We had three children: our eldest daughter, Harriet, was nineteen and away at university; our eldest son, William, was twelve; and the youngest, Charles, was merely five. We ourselves lived quite comfortably in a spacious flat with three bedrooms, so everyone had their own space.
I remember so vividly the quarrel my husband and I had over this inherited flat. I suggested that perhaps Harriet ought to live there, now that she was nearly grown herself and might be married before long. My husband, though, was insistent that it would be dreadfully unfair to our sons. His idea was to sell the place and split the pounds evenly among the children. I thought it was a foolish proposal, as the boys and girl would hardly be able to buy anything worthwhile with their share.
Suppose we did as he wished; the money would simply sit in the childrens bank accounts until the boys came of age, and the eldest, Harriet, might only be able to buy herself a modest second-hand car. Better a bird in the hand than two in the bush, Id saidat least one of our children would have some certainty, and perhaps we could sort something out for the boys when they were older.
My husband maintained that giving the flat to Harriet would spoil her relationship with her brothers, causing discord that would never heal. I, on the other hand, was confident nothing of the sort would happen; the boys didnt really comprehend the situation yet, so there was time to plan for everyones future.
We hadnt mentioned anything of our deliberations to Harriet, preferring to discuss it privately first. The place itself required proper refurbishment, as it really wasnt fit for living, and at present, we simply hadnt the funds to renovate it.
Looking back now, I still wonder: who was in the rightmyself or my husband? Ought I have persisted, or was it wiser to yield? Or perhaps theres some third way I never considered, one that keen-eyed readers might spot where we couldnt.
