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After a heated argument with Lucy, George felt a twinge of guilt. He had been seeing Lucy, a coworker

I Think the Love Has Faded — “You’re the most beautiful girl in the whole department,” he said, handing her a bunch of daisies from the flower stall by the tube. Anna laughed, accepting the flowers. The daisies smelled of summer and something indescribably right. Dmitry looked at her like a man who knew exactly what he wanted. And what he wanted was her. Their first date was in Hyde Park. Dmitry brought along a blanket, a flask of tea, and homemade sandwiches his mum had made. They sat on the grass until dark. Anna remembered the way he laughed, head thrown back. How he touched her hand as if by accident, and looked at her as if she was the only person in all of London. Three months in, he took her to a little indie cinema to watch a French comedy she didn’t really understand, but she laughed with him all the same. Six months later, he introduced her to his parents. A year on—he asked her to move in. “We’re always together anyway,” Dmitry said, gently running his fingers through her hair. “Why pay for two flats?” Anna said yes. Not for the money, of course. Just because with him, the world made sense. Their rented one-bed flat smelled of Sunday roast dinners and freshly washed sheets. Anna learned to make his favourite cottage pie, exactly the way his mum did. In the evenings, Dmitry read aloud articles from The Economist and The Times. He dreamt of running his own business. Anna listenend, propped on her hand, believing every word. They planned their future. First—a deposit. Then—their own home. After that—a new car. Children, obviously: a son and a daughter. “We’ve got plenty of time,” Dmitry would say, kissing the top of her head. Anna would nod. With him, she felt invincible. …Fifteen years together brought routines, little traditions, and stuff—so much stuff. They had a nice flat with a view over the green, a 20-year mortgage they worked hard to pay off early, sacrificing holidays and restaurants. A silver Toyota in the drive—Dmitry chose it, haggled for it, and polished the bonnet to a shine every Saturday. There was pride—a warm, rising wave. They’d achieved everything on their own. No handouts from parents, no lucky breaks. Just hard work, saving, perseverance. Anna never complained. Not even when she was so tired she fell asleep on the tube and woke up at the end of the line. Not even when she wanted to pack it all in and fly away somewhere sunny. They were a team. That’s what Dmitry always said, and Anna believed him. His happiness always came first. Anna learned that rule by heart, wove it into her very DNA. Rough day at work? She’d make a special dinner and a pot of tea and listen to him. Trouble with his boss? She’d stroke his hair and whisper everything would be alright. Self-doubt? She’d find the right words, pull him out of his slump. “You’re my harbour, my anchor, my rock,” Dmitry would say. Anna would smile. What could be better than being someone’s anchor? There were tough times. The first, five years in—the company Dmitry worked for went bust. He sat at home, scrolling job listings and sinking into gloom. The second was worse. Some colleagues set him up, and not only did he lose his job, he got hit with a big bill. They had to sell the car to pay it. Anna never blamed him. Not a word, not even a look. She took on more freelance work, stayed up late, scrimped every penny. All she cared about was how he was coping. Would he break? Would he lose faith in himself? …Dmitry pulled through. Landed an even better job. They bought another silver Toyota. Life went back to normal. A year ago, they were sitting in the kitchen when Anna finally voiced what she’d been quietly thinking for ages: “Maybe it’s time? I’m not twenty anymore. If we keep waiting…” Dmitry nodded. Serious, thoughtful. “Let’s start getting ready.” Anna held her breath. So many years of dreaming, postponing, waiting for the right moment. Now it was here. She’d imagined it all a thousand times: tiny hands gripping hers, the smell of baby powder, first steps across their flat, Dmitry reading bedtime stories. A child. Their child. At last. Everything changed at once. Anna revamped her diet, her routine, cut back on stress. Saw doctors, took her vitamins, shifted career plans—even as her boss offered her a huge promotion. “Are you sure?” her manager asked, peering over her glasses. “A chance like this…” But Anna was sure. The promotion meant late nights, travel, pressure—not ideal for starting a family. “I’ll transfer to the branch near home instead,” Anna said. The manager just shrugged. The branch was a fifteen-minute walk around the corner. The work—dull, routine, no prospects. But she could leave on time and stop thinking about it come Friday. Anna settled in fast. The new colleagues were nice enough, if unambitious. She made her own packed lunches, took walks at lunchtime, was in bed by midnight—all for the baby they hoped for, all for their family. The chill crept in slowly. Anna didn’t notice at first. Dmitry was working a lot, tired—that happened, right? But he stopped asking about her day. Stopped hugging her goodnight. Stopped looking at her the way he did when she was the most beautiful girl at uni. The flat got quiet. Wrong kind of quiet. They used to chat for hours—about work, plans, silly things. Now Dmitry scrolled on his phone every evening, gave short answers, turned his back to sleep. Anna would lie next to him, staring at the ceiling. Between them—a gulf, half the width of a mattress. Intimacy vanished. Two weeks, three, a month. Anna lost count. Dmitry always had an excuse: “I’m just shattered. Tomorrow, alright?” Tomorrow never came. One night, Anna just asked. She blocked his way to the bathroom. “What’s going on? Please, honestly.” Dmitry looked past her, at the doorframe. “Everything’s fine.” “It’s not.” “You’re overthinking. It’ll pass.” He sidestepped her, locked himself in the bathroom. Water started running. Anna stood in the hallway, clutching her chest where it hurt—dull, persistent, constant. She lasted another month. Then she couldn’t bear it any longer. “Do you love me?” she asked, straight out. A pause. A long, awful pause. “I… don’t know what I feel for you.” Anna sat on the sofa. “You don’t know?” Dmitry finally looked her in the eye. There was emptiness. Confusion. None of the fire from fifteen years ago. “I think the love’s gone. Has been for ages. I kept quiet because I didn’t want to hurt you.” Anna realised she’d been living in this hell for months, desperate for an explanation. Maybe it’s work. Midlife crisis. Just a bad patch. But no—he simply stopped loving her. And said nothing while she planned their future, gave up her promotion, prepared herself for motherhood. The decision came suddenly. No more “maybe,” no more “give it time.” Enough. “I’m filing for divorce.” Dmitry turned pale. Anna saw his Adam’s apple twitch. “Wait. Don’t go so fast. We can try—” “Try what?” “Let’s have the baby, yeah? Maybe a child will bring us together. People say kids do that.” Anna laughed bitterly. “A baby will just make things worse. You don’t love me. Why have a child just to end up divorcing with a newborn?” Dmitry said nothing. There was nothing left to say. Anna left that day. Packed a bag of essentials and moved in with a friend. Filed for divorce a week later, when her hands finally stopped trembling. Sorting out the house and car would take ages. Fifteen years of stuff to split. Life, measured out in square feet and horsepower. Anna listened to the lawyer, taking notes, doing her best not to think about how their life had boiled down to a spreadsheet. Soon, she found a little flat to rent. She learned to cook for one, watch Netflix without commentary, stretch out in bed all by herself. The waves of grief broke at night. She’d bury her face in the pillow and remember: daisies from the market, picnics in Hyde Park, his laughter, his arms, his voice telling her, “You’re my anchor.” The pain was unbearable—fifteen years doesn’t go out with the rubbish. But through the pain came something else: relief. The sense that it was right. She’d stopped in time, before tying herself to someone with a child, before getting stuck in a marriage for the sake of keeping up appearances. Thirty-two years old. Her whole life ahead. Is it terrifying? Completely. But she’ll make it through—there’s no other way. I Think the Love Has Faded: Fifteen Years Together, a Dreamed-of Family, and the Courage to Walk Away in Search of Happiness

I think the love is gone. Youre the most beautiful girl in this entire department, hed said that day

La vida

013

As Long as There’s Life, It’s Never Too Late: A Heartfelt Story of Family, Second Chances, and Finding Happiness at Any Age

As long as one has breath, it is never too late. A Recollection Well then, Mum, just as we agreedIll

La vida

07

The Long-Awaited Granddaughter Natalie Mayhew couldn’t stop ringing her son, out at sea on his latest voyage. But the connection was still down. “Oh, Michael, look at the mess you’ve made!” she sighed anxiously, dialling his number again. Call or not, the signal wouldn’t come back until he reached the next port—and that could be ages yet. And now, of all times! For a second night, Natalie Mayhew couldn’t sleep—what a situation her son had gotten into! * * * This story had begun years earlier, before Michael had ever dreamed of working long-haul shifts on ships. Her son was already a man, but things never seemed to work out with women—according to him, none were ever quite right! Natalie Mayhew watched with heartache as his promising relationships with perfectly decent and even attractive girls all collapsed in turn. “You’re impossible to please!” she told him. “What sort of woman could ever measure up to your impossibly high standards?” “I don’t see your point, Mum. You want a daughter-in-law so much you don’t even care what kind of person she is?” “Of course I care! I want someone who’ll love you, someone decent.” Michael would just shrug in silence, which—as any mother knows—only made her more frustrated. Really, which one of them was supposed to be the elder here? “What was wrong with Natalie, then?” she’d snap, when he dismissed another girl. “I’ve explained.” “Fine… so maybe she wasn’t honest—but I still don’t really understand…” “Mum! I don’t think we should discuss the details. Natalie just isn’t the person I want to spend my life with.” “And Kate?” “Kate either,” he’d answer evenly. “And Sophie? She was lovely, that one. Quiet, homey, helpful—always asking what she could do around the house. Are you sure?” “Yes, she was very sweet. But then it turned out she never really loved me.” “And you didn’t love her either?” “Probably not.” “And Darina?” “Mum!” “Oh, what ‘Mum’? You’re impossible to please! You’re turning into a real ladies’ man instead of settling down with a family and having kids!” “Let’s drop this pointless conversation!” Michael would finally snap, storming out. “Just like his father,” Natalie thought, both annoyed and bemused. Years went by. The women came and went, but Natalie’s cherished hope—seeing her son happily married and finally having grandchildren to spoil—remained just out of reach. Then Michael changed careers altogether. He met an old friend, got offered a job on the ships, and accepted. Natalie did her best to talk him out of it. “Oh, Mum, it’s a great opportunity! Do you know how much seafarers make? We’ll want for nothing!” “I don’t care about your money if it means I never see you. I’d rather you started a family!” “But a family has to be provided for! When the kids come along, I’ll have to quit the sea and help raise them. So for now I’ll earn as much as I can!” Michael really did make good money. He renovated the flat after his first voyage, set up a savings account after the second, handing Natalie the card. “So you’ll never want for anything!” “I’m not wanting for anything—except grandchildren, and time is marching on. I’m already old!” “Don’t talk nonsense! You’ve years before you’re anywhere near old age,” Michael laughed. Natalie never touched the money. She had her own modest wage from her job at the high street chemist, enough for her simple needs. “Let it accumulate. Michael never even checks the balance—one day he’ll be shocked by what a thrifty mother he’s got!” she thought. So the years slipped by. Michael would come home between voyages and fit a whole month’s worth of living into a few days—seeing mates, going out late, meeting girls he no longer even introduced to his mother. When Natalie once reproached him, she got a thankless reply: “It’s so you don’t get attached or fret when I don’t marry them. I’m not looking for that, Mum!” She was hurt—especially when Michael said she was too trusting. Just like that: “You see the best in people, Mum. The girls you think of as potential daughters-in-law—well, you only see what they want you to see.” That stung. “Trusting means foolish,” she thought bitterly. Her son had called her naive. But when she later saw him with a new girl, that old fire to see him settled returned. Without shame, she approached the pair—Michael, a grown man, blushed. But a mother is a mother, and he introduced them. Natalie immediately liked Milly. Tall, slim, curly-haired, with a pleasant manner. Seeing such a lovely girl on her son’s arm, Natalie forgot her grievances. “Perhaps he really has just been unlucky all along! Maybe it’s good he dumped the others, or he would never have met this gem,” she thought. The romance with Milly lasted his entire leave—by Natalie’s gentle prodding, Milly visited for tea several times, demonstrated her intelligence, and proved delightful company. When Michael packed for his next voyage, however, Milly vanished. “We’re not in touch anymore, Mum, nor should you see her,” said Michael shortly, and left. Natalie puzzled over what had gone wrong, but had nowhere to get answers. * * * A year passed. Michael returned home a few times, always evading her gentle probing about Milly. “For heaven’s sake, what was wrong with this one? What didn’t you like this time?” Natalie finally demanded. “Mum, it’s my business. If I broke up with her, I had a reason. Please don’t interfere!” Natalie was close to tears. “But I worry about you!” “Don’t!” Michael barked. “Don’t talk to Milly and stop getting on at me.” He was off on yet another voyage, leaving Natalie with a torn heart to get on with life until his return. Then, one day at work in Boots, Milly walked in to buy baby formula—pushing a pram with a little girl inside. “Oh, Milly! I’m so glad to see you! Michael told me nothing—he just left again and told me not to pry!” Natalie blurted in delight. “Did he?” Milly glanced down. “Well, that’s how it is.” Natalie grew anxious. “Please, love, what happened between you and Michael? I know my son can be difficult—did he hurt you?” “It doesn’t matter… I’m not upset with him. Anyway, we’ve got to get on—still some shops to hit.” “Pop in and see me some time! Even here at work—I’m on shifts. We could catch up properly!” And Milly did return during Natalie’s next shift—for more baby food. Gradually, Natalie got Milly talking. It emerged Milly was pregnant by Michael, but he said he didn’t want children—he was always away and not looking for a family. Then he disappeared. “Gone to sea again, probably,” Milly shrugged. “But never mind, we’ll manage—just the two of us.” Natalie almost knelt by the pram, gazing at the child. “Wait—does this mean she’s my granddaughter?” “Looks like it,” Milly replied. “Her name’s Annie.” “Annie…” *** Natalie couldn’t rest. She managed to gather that Milly and Annie were struggling. Milly wasn’t local, rented a flat, but without a regular income, things were tough. Milly was thinking of returning to her parents in another part of the country—just the thought of her granddaughter disappearing brought Natalie out in a cold sweat. “Come live with me, Milly—bring Annie! She’s my granddaughter! I’ll help, you’ll find a proper job. Michael sends enough money, I can’t possibly spend it all. Annie will have everything she needs!” “What will Michael say?” “Doesn’t matter! He doesn’t even know he has a daughter—he abandoned you both and left me in the dark! I need to make it right. And when he’s home, I’ll set him straight!” And that’s how they began to live. Natalie doted on her granddaughter, and gave all her time and attention. Milly found work and left Annie with Natalie, coming home late and exhausted. “On my feet all day, the customers were such a handful!” “Never mind! Go rest—I’ll bathe Annie and put her to bed!” Michael’s leave was coming. Natalie imagined meeting him at the door—with Annie in her arms—ready to give him a piece of her mind, while Milly grew more nervous. “Michael’s going to throw us out when he gets back! I should never have moved in. I’ll start looking for a new flat tomorrow.” “Rubbish! No one’s throwing anyone out! I’ll give him what for, don’t you worry!” “Oh, he’ll say I’m after your money, that I only moved in for that. But I want nothing except to thank you for all you’ve done! Still, I should move back to my parents…” “Don’t be silly! This is my flat—I can invite anybody I choose to live here!” Milly argued, but Natalie stood firm. They stayed. “I’ve been thinking,” Natalie announced at dinner, “I should sign this flat over to Annie—just to avoid arguments later. Michael may never settle down, but Annie should have security. Especially since she doesn’t have his surname,” Natalie glanced at Milly, who dropped her eyes. “Sorry—I didn’t know…” “But I understand. Still, we need to get the paperwork sorted.” “That’s not necessary, honestly—my own parents have a flat, too…” “Don’t you talk me out of it!” Natalie insisted. “My mind’s made up.” They went to the solicitor. He refused: “Your son must remove his name from the deeds before you can transfer the flat.” Natalie was annoyed, but Michael was due home any day, and she thought it would all be sorted soon. Meanwhile, Milly was getting increasingly skittish. “Why are you always so late home?” Natalie asked one evening. Milly hesitated. “Just… work. Waiting for an advance, but my boss says no until this job is finished.” “Why do you need an advance? Are you short on money?” Milly said nothing, changing into her house clothes. Natalie followed, noticing some of Milly’s things packed in a big bag hidden by the bed. “Are you going somewhere?” No reply. “Have you decided to rent your own place after all?!” “Natalie, I must leave! Michael’s coming…” “I’m not letting you take my granddaughter anywhere,” Natalie declared. After a moment’s thought, she added, “If you’re short, you know where the money card is and its code. You can take what you need, not run yourself ragged at work. Annie’s going to forget what her mum looks like! If you want Michael to accept you, you need to learn to be practical.” Milly stayed silent. Michael was due in two days. * * * On the morning Michael was due home, Natalie got up early to check on Milly and Annie. But Milly was gone, only Annie slept on. “Where could she be? Six a.m.—she’s never left for work this early!” Natalie started preparing Michael’s favourite meals, determined to meet him with Annie and make him apologise to Milly on her return. The doorbell finally rang. Michael stepped into the hall, frozen at the sight of his mother holding a little girl. “Hi, Mum. Whose child is that? What did I miss this time?” “You should know the answer to that!” “I don’t follow,” Michael said, taking off his boots. “What sort of adventures have you gotten into while I was gone?” “Adventures? Well, I found my granddaughter, Annie! That’s the adventure!” “What granddaughter? Do I have siblings I never knew about?” Michael joked. “Stop fooling around! Milly told me everything! I didn’t raise you for this! I’m ashamed!” “Milly? Wait—first, I asked you not to talk to her. Second, what does she have to do with this child?” Natalie, now indignant, poured out the whole story, complete with reproaches. Michael put his head in his hands. “Really, Mum!” “What, are you calling me stupid again? Well, fine, but I…” she said, head held high. “She’s not my child, Mum! Milly tricked you—she was only after the money, I realised that ages ago… What did she take?” “Nothing! How dare you…?” “Mum! Check your savings—she could be halfway across the country by now!” “She went to work!” Natalie insisted. They argued, and finally Michael agreed to wait for Milly to return and sort everything out. They waited late into the night. Natalie told the full story of her meeting Milly, how they’d lived together, her plans to give Annie the flat. Michael calmly repeated that she’d been conned, but… “I don’t believe you! Milly is a wonderful girl…” “A wonderful con artist, more like. And you fell for it, easy as anything!” “Stop it! She’ll be back, and you’ll see! Shame on you. For now I’ll be with my granddaughter.” “She’s not your granddaughter!” Natalie glared. “We’ll settle it with a DNA test,” Michael added. “Exactly what we’ll do! And you’ll be ashamed!” Night fell, then the next day. Milly didn’t come. Her phone rang dead. Natalie went to the address Milly had given for her work—with Annie in tow—but no one there had ever heard of Milly. No one recognised her photo. Natalie hurried home to check her savings as Michael advised. The money and bank card were gone; so were Milly’s things—only Annie’s remained. Only then did Natalie realise she’d been deceived. “How could I have been so naive? She wouldn’t leave Annie, would she?” “She would, and worse,” Michael answered darkly. “The lads warned me about her… And then Freddie told me she’d stolen from him… But I was dating her, brought her here… then she turned up pregnant—who knows by whom. She said it was mine. Sure. The lads had already told me she’d been with nearly everyone.” “I’m such a fool!” Natalie cried. “Why didn’t you tell me?” “I didn’t want to upset you, Mum. You always see the best in people…” “What do we do now?” “Call the police! Good thing you couldn’t sign over the flat, or you’d be out on the street.” They filed a report. Milly was never found—vanished without trace. As for the card, only a little had been taken; Michael, on learning the truth, blocked the account. The card turned up later at a distant train station. Until Milly could be found, Annie was allowed to stay with Natalie, who had to give up her job for the child. Luckily Michael’s wages covered things. A DNA test proved Annie was not Michael’s. But Natalie had grown to love the girl as her own. After much discussion, she and Michael decided to raise Annie as their own daughter. Milly was eventually stripped of her parental rights in absentia. It took months to arrange guardianship—Michael was refused, so Natalie had to find a job, enrol Annie in nursery, and jump through endless hoops. But at last, life settled. And then, a year later, Michael came home from sea with… “A wife?” Natalie exclaimed in surprise. “Meet Sonia, Mum. We’re living together now.” “But what about…”—she glanced towards Annie’s room, unsure if Michael had told Sonia everything. But Sonia smiled gently: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Mayhew! Misha’s told me everything—and honestly, I think you did something extraordinary. If you’ll let me, I’d love to help bring up Annie…” “Yes, I’m coming off the ships—and Sonia and I will adopt Annie officially. This time, I know the process will go smoothly!” Natalie beamed, tears of happiness in her eyes. “Well, what joy! Come on in—dinner’s ready and I’ve cooked enough to feed a small army. Let’s all get to know each other. I’m so happy!”

The Long-Awaited Granddaughter Monday Ive lost count of how many times Ive rung my son Henrys phone this week.

La vida

07

On the Day I Retired, My Husband Announced He Was Leaving Me for Someone Else

The day I finally hand in my notice at the firm, David tells me hes leaving. I dont faint, I dont scream

La vida

07

“You Just Can’t Find the Right Approach: How My New English Family Fell Apart Under One Roof”

You just wont get through to him. Im not doing it! And stop bossing me about! Youre not my mum!

La vida

013

As Long as There’s Life, It’s Never Too Late: A Heartfelt Story of Anna, Her Caring Son Benjamin, and a Bittersweet Stay at a Five-Star Countryside Retreat for Seniors

As long as youre alive, its never too late. A Story All right, Mum, as we discussed, Ill pick you up

La vida

09

This Is Not Your Home Alena gazed with sadness at the house in which she’d grown up since childhood. At eighteen, she was already disillusioned with life. Why had fate been so cruel to her? Her grandmother had died, she’d failed to get into university because the girl at the next desk had copied from her and whispered something to the examiner, who then accused Alena of cheating and expelled her. There was nothing she could do to prove herself innocent. It later turned out the girl was the daughter of a local bigwig—who can argue with that? Now, after so many misfortunes, her mother had turned up with two biological brothers and a new husband. Where had they been all these years? Alena was raised by her grandmother—the mother was only with her until about age four and left no fond memories. While her father worked, the mother would disappear to enjoy herself. Even when married, she still chased “a worthy man” and never hid it, not even after Alena’s father suddenly died. Widowed, Tamara mourned for only a short while. She packed her things, left her four-year-old daughter on her mother’s doorstep, and after selling the flat inherited from her late husband, vanished. Grandma Raya tried, in vain, to appeal to her conscience. Tamara only showed up on occasion, but never cared for Alena. One time when Alena was twelve, Tamara arrived with her then seven-year-old son, Svyatoslav, and demanded her mother transfer the house to her. — No, Toma! You’re not getting anything! — her mother refused flatly. — You’ll die soon enough, and it’ll be mine anyway! — Tamara retorted coldly, glaring at her daughter before gathering Svyatoslav and leaving. — Why do you always argue when she visits? — young Alena asked her grandmother. — Because your mother’s selfish! I didn’t raise her right—should’ve spanked her more! — Raïsa Petrovna replied angrily. Grandma fell ill suddenly—she’d never complained about her health before. One day after school, Alena found her ever-busy grandmother pale and sitting quietly on the balcony—something she’d never seen before. — Is something wrong? — Alena asked, worried. — I don’t feel well… Call an ambulance, Alenushka… — her granny calmly replied. Then came the hospital, IV drips… death. Raïsa Petrovna’s final days were spent in intensive care, no visitors allowed. Half-mad with worry, Alena called her mother. At first, her mother wouldn’t come. Only after Alena mentioned grandma was in intensive care did she agree—arriving just in time for the funeral. Three days later, she shoved a will in Alena’s face: — This house now belongs to me and my sons! Oleg will be here soon—I know you don’t get along with him, so it’s best you stay at Auntie Galina’s for a while, alright? Not a trace of grief in her mother’s voice—Tamara seemed almost pleased Raïsa was gone, since that meant she was now the heir! Crushed by grief, Alena couldn’t resist her mother—especially since the will was clear. She stayed for a time at Auntie Galina’s, her father’s sister, but the house was always full of noisy, tipsy guests and some even took a disturbing interest in Alena herself. When she confided in her boyfriend, Pasha, his response was both surprising and heartening: — No way I’m letting old drunks ogle you or lay hands on you! — he said firmly, then added, — I’ll speak to Dad. We’ve a flat on the edge of the city. I earned the right to live there when I got into university—now it’s his turn to keep his word. — But I don’t see what this has to do with me, — Alena faltered. — How not? We’ll live there together! — Will your parents really allow it? — They have no choice. So—today’s the day: will you marry me and live with me in our own place? Alena nearly cried with happiness. When her mother heard about the wedding, she almost gnashed her teeth: — So you’re getting married now? Quick off the mark, aren’t you! Couldn’t get into university, so you found another angle! Don’t expect any money from me, and the house is mine! Such words hurt Alena deeply. Pasha could barely make sense of her sobs as he brought her home to his parents, who set about comforting her. — Oh, my poor girl! What kind of woman is this? — Pasha’s mum exclaimed. — What I want to know, — pondered Andrei Semyonovich, Pasha’s father, — is why your mother’s so determined to keep the house if there’s a will, and always uses it against you? — I don’t know, — sniffed Alena. — She fought with Grandma over the house all the time. First she wanted her to sell up and hand her the cash, then insisted on getting it signed over. Grandma always refused—said if she did, we’d end up on the street. — Odd. Have you been to a solicitor since your grandma passed? — No, why? — To establish your rights as an heir. — But Mum’s the heir. I’m only a granddaughter. And Mum had the will—I saw it. — It’s a bit more complicated. After the weekend we’ll go to the solicitor together. For now, just rest. In that time her mother tried to get her to sign some documents, but Pasha intervened. — She won’t be signing anything! — And who are you? She can decide for herself! — Tamara snapped irritably. — I’m her fiancé and I think this could harm her, so for now nothing gets signed. Tamara exploded in insults, but went away empty-handed—deepening Andrei Semyonovich’s suspicions. A few days later, as promised, Andrei Semyonovich took Alena to the solicitor. — Listen carefully to what he says, and check every document before you sign. But the solicitor was honest. He took Alena’s statement, and soon they heard that an inheritance case had been opened in Alena’s name. It turned out that Raïsa Petrovna had a savings account for Alena’s education—Alena knew nothing about it. — And what about the property? — asked Andrei Semyonovich. — The property was gifted to Alena some years ago—there are no other documents. — Gifted? — Alena asked, surprised. — Your grandmother arranged a deed of gift for you here a few years ago. You recently turned eighteen and are now fully entitled to the house. — But what about the will? — That was made seven years earlier and later cancelled. Your mother likely doesn’t know. You are legal owner of the house. Andrei Semyonovich’s suspicions were confirmed. — What do I do now? — Alena asked uncertainly. — You tell your mother the house is yours and she must leave. — She’ll never do it! She’s already packed my things to throw them out! — Then you have the police handle it! Upon hearing this, Tamara flew into a rage: — How dare you, you little wretch! Trying to throw your own mother out! You get out! Who put you up to this, your fiancé and his old man? I’ve a document proving I own this house—my mother’s will! — Exactly! So clear off or I’ll break your legs for daring to set foot here, — Oleg threatened. Andrei Semyonovich and Alena stood firm. — You realize you can be charged with threats and hooliganism, — Andrei Semyonovich pointed out coolly. — Who are you to order me around? The house is for sale and buyers will be here soon! But instead of buyers, the police arrived. After hearing both sides, they ordered Tamara and her family to vacate the property or face prosecution. Furious, Tamara, her husband, and sons had no choice but to leave. Alena finally regained her home—with Pasha moving in for safety’s sake. He was right to worry: Tamara and Oleg continued to harass Alena for a while. After discovering Raïsa Petrovna’s bank account, Tamara claimed a share—which legally belonged to her. But she never got the house, for all her efforts. Only after consulting every lawyer she could find did she finally admit defeat and left for good. Alena never spoke to her again. Alena and Pasha married. The following summer she entered university to study her dream subject, and by her third year had their first child. She was grateful to her husband and his family for supporting her through the toughest days, and lived happily ever after. By Odetta — — The Mystery The house was old but well kept—not empty long enough to be abandoned or ruined. “Thank goodness for that!” thought Masha. “At my age, I haven’t got a man around and likely never will. And I’m certainly not one of those formidable Russian women who can hammer in nails, rein in a runaway horse, or storm a burning building single-handed!” She climbed the porch, took the large key from her bag, and unlocked the hefty padlock. *** For reasons she couldn’t fathom, Masha had inherited this house from Granny Lyuba—a distant relative and not one she’d even known well. Strange, but who could guess what goes on in the minds of people that old? By Masha’s estimate, Granny Lyuba was about a hundred. Masha was either her great-niece or just a distant cousin—hard to keep track in such families. She’d visited Granny Lyuba as a teenager; even then the old lady preferred to live alone and never imposed on relatives or asked for help. Then, out of the blue, she died. When Masha got the call that an old woman in the village of Zagadka had died, she barely remembered Granny Lyuba—and certainly never expected to inherit her house and twelve acres of land. — A present for your future pension, — joked her husband, Michael. — Hah, my pension is as far away as the moon — protested Masha. — I’m only fifty-four, and by the time I scrape to sixty, they’ll probably raise the age again. So, it’s just a gift—and I can’t imagine why, when I had no idea Granny Lyuba was even still alive. I thought she was gone long ago! Oh well—I’m not in a position to look a gift horse in the mouth. — Or we can just sell it! — Michael rubbed his hands. *** Good thing they didn’t. A couple months after inheriting, Masha got a far less pleasant surprise: she discovered Michael was having an affair. Yes, really. Grey hair, midlife crisis, and a stone in the heart…

This is not your home Eleanor gazed with quiet sorrow at the house where shed grown up. At eighteen

La vida

011

I Think the Love Has Faded — “You’re the most beautiful girl in the whole department,” he said, handing her a bunch of daisies from the flower stall by the tube. Anna laughed, accepting the flowers. The daisies smelled of summer and something indescribably right. Dmitry looked at her like a man who knew exactly what he wanted. And what he wanted was her. Their first date was in Hyde Park. Dmitry brought along a blanket, a flask of tea, and homemade sandwiches his mum had made. They sat on the grass until dark. Anna remembered the way he laughed, head thrown back. How he touched her hand as if by accident, and looked at her as if she was the only person in all of London. Three months in, he took her to a little indie cinema to watch a French comedy she didn’t really understand, but she laughed with him all the same. Six months later, he introduced her to his parents. A year on—he asked her to move in. “We’re always together anyway,” Dmitry said, gently running his fingers through her hair. “Why pay for two flats?” Anna said yes. Not for the money, of course. Just because with him, the world made sense. Their rented one-bed flat smelled of Sunday roast dinners and freshly washed sheets. Anna learned to make his favourite cottage pie, exactly the way his mum did. In the evenings, Dmitry read aloud articles from The Economist and The Times. He dreamt of running his own business. Anna listenend, propped on her hand, believing every word. They planned their future. First—a deposit. Then—their own home. After that—a new car. Children, obviously: a son and a daughter. “We’ve got plenty of time,” Dmitry would say, kissing the top of her head. Anna would nod. With him, she felt invincible. …Fifteen years together brought routines, little traditions, and stuff—so much stuff. They had a nice flat with a view over the green, a 20-year mortgage they worked hard to pay off early, sacrificing holidays and restaurants. A silver Toyota in the drive—Dmitry chose it, haggled for it, and polished the bonnet to a shine every Saturday. There was pride—a warm, rising wave. They’d achieved everything on their own. No handouts from parents, no lucky breaks. Just hard work, saving, perseverance. Anna never complained. Not even when she was so tired she fell asleep on the tube and woke up at the end of the line. Not even when she wanted to pack it all in and fly away somewhere sunny. They were a team. That’s what Dmitry always said, and Anna believed him. His happiness always came first. Anna learned that rule by heart, wove it into her very DNA. Rough day at work? She’d make a special dinner and a pot of tea and listen to him. Trouble with his boss? She’d stroke his hair and whisper everything would be alright. Self-doubt? She’d find the right words, pull him out of his slump. “You’re my harbour, my anchor, my rock,” Dmitry would say. Anna would smile. What could be better than being someone’s anchor? There were tough times. The first, five years in—the company Dmitry worked for went bust. He sat at home, scrolling job listings and sinking into gloom. The second was worse. Some colleagues set him up, and not only did he lose his job, he got hit with a big bill. They had to sell the car to pay it. Anna never blamed him. Not a word, not even a look. She took on more freelance work, stayed up late, scrimped every penny. All she cared about was how he was coping. Would he break? Would he lose faith in himself? …Dmitry pulled through. Landed an even better job. They bought another silver Toyota. Life went back to normal. A year ago, they were sitting in the kitchen when Anna finally voiced what she’d been quietly thinking for ages: “Maybe it’s time? I’m not twenty anymore. If we keep waiting…” Dmitry nodded. Serious, thoughtful. “Let’s start getting ready.” Anna held her breath. So many years of dreaming, postponing, waiting for the right moment. Now it was here. She’d imagined it all a thousand times: tiny hands gripping hers, the smell of baby powder, first steps across their flat, Dmitry reading bedtime stories. A child. Their child. At last. Everything changed at once. Anna revamped her diet, her routine, cut back on stress. Saw doctors, took her vitamins, shifted career plans—even as her boss offered her a huge promotion. “Are you sure?” her manager asked, peering over her glasses. “A chance like this…” But Anna was sure. The promotion meant late nights, travel, pressure—not ideal for starting a family. “I’ll transfer to the branch near home instead,” Anna said. The manager just shrugged. The branch was a fifteen-minute walk around the corner. The work—dull, routine, no prospects. But she could leave on time and stop thinking about it come Friday. Anna settled in fast. The new colleagues were nice enough, if unambitious. She made her own packed lunches, took walks at lunchtime, was in bed by midnight—all for the baby they hoped for, all for their family. The chill crept in slowly. Anna didn’t notice at first. Dmitry was working a lot, tired—that happened, right? But he stopped asking about her day. Stopped hugging her goodnight. Stopped looking at her the way he did when she was the most beautiful girl at uni. The flat got quiet. Wrong kind of quiet. They used to chat for hours—about work, plans, silly things. Now Dmitry scrolled on his phone every evening, gave short answers, turned his back to sleep. Anna would lie next to him, staring at the ceiling. Between them—a gulf, half the width of a mattress. Intimacy vanished. Two weeks, three, a month. Anna lost count. Dmitry always had an excuse: “I’m just shattered. Tomorrow, alright?” Tomorrow never came. One night, Anna just asked. She blocked his way to the bathroom. “What’s going on? Please, honestly.” Dmitry looked past her, at the doorframe. “Everything’s fine.” “It’s not.” “You’re overthinking. It’ll pass.” He sidestepped her, locked himself in the bathroom. Water started running. Anna stood in the hallway, clutching her chest where it hurt—dull, persistent, constant. She lasted another month. Then she couldn’t bear it any longer. “Do you love me?” she asked, straight out. A pause. A long, awful pause. “I… don’t know what I feel for you.” Anna sat on the sofa. “You don’t know?” Dmitry finally looked her in the eye. There was emptiness. Confusion. None of the fire from fifteen years ago. “I think the love’s gone. Has been for ages. I kept quiet because I didn’t want to hurt you.” Anna realised she’d been living in this hell for months, desperate for an explanation. Maybe it’s work. Midlife crisis. Just a bad patch. But no—he simply stopped loving her. And said nothing while she planned their future, gave up her promotion, prepared herself for motherhood. The decision came suddenly. No more “maybe,” no more “give it time.” Enough. “I’m filing for divorce.” Dmitry turned pale. Anna saw his Adam’s apple twitch. “Wait. Don’t go so fast. We can try—” “Try what?” “Let’s have the baby, yeah? Maybe a child will bring us together. People say kids do that.” Anna laughed bitterly. “A baby will just make things worse. You don’t love me. Why have a child just to end up divorcing with a newborn?” Dmitry said nothing. There was nothing left to say. Anna left that day. Packed a bag of essentials and moved in with a friend. Filed for divorce a week later, when her hands finally stopped trembling. Sorting out the house and car would take ages. Fifteen years of stuff to split. Life, measured out in square feet and horsepower. Anna listened to the lawyer, taking notes, doing her best not to think about how their life had boiled down to a spreadsheet. Soon, she found a little flat to rent. She learned to cook for one, watch Netflix without commentary, stretch out in bed all by herself. The waves of grief broke at night. She’d bury her face in the pillow and remember: daisies from the market, picnics in Hyde Park, his laughter, his arms, his voice telling her, “You’re my anchor.” The pain was unbearable—fifteen years doesn’t go out with the rubbish. But through the pain came something else: relief. The sense that it was right. She’d stopped in time, before tying herself to someone with a child, before getting stuck in a marriage for the sake of keeping up appearances. Thirty-two years old. Her whole life ahead. Is it terrifying? Completely. But she’ll make it through—there’s no other way. I Think the Love Has Faded: Fifteen Years Together, a Dreamed-of Family, and the Courage to Walk Away in Search of Happiness

I think the love is gone. Youre the most beautiful girl in this entire department, hed said that day

La vida

05

This Is Not Your Home Alena gazed sadly around the house where she had grown up since childhood. At eighteen, she already felt completely disillusioned with life. Why had fate dealt her such a cruel hand? Her grandmother had died, university was out of reach because of the girl who’d sat next to her during exams—she’d copied all Alena’s answers, handed in her sheet first, and whispered something to the examiner. He’d frowned, demanded Alena’s paper, and then declared her expelled for cheating. She couldn’t prove a thing. And that girl, as it turned out, was the daughter of a local bigwig. How do you fight against people like that? And so, after so many setbacks, her mother reappeared in her life, along with two half-brothers and a new husband. Where had they been all these years? Alena had been raised by her grandmother; her mother had only been around until she was about four, and even then there were no pleasant memories—her mother would leave her alone while she went out enjoying herself. Even married, she’d kept looking for “a proper man,” and wasn’t shy about it even after Alena’s father died unexpectedly. After being widowed, Tamara didn’t mourn for long. She packed up, left her four-year-old daughter on her mother’s doorstep, sold the flat she’d inherited from her late husband, and disappeared. Her grandmother Raya tried desperately to appeal to her conscience, but it was no use. Tamara visited sporadically, but Alena was never a priority. She came when Alena was twelve, with her then-seven-year-old brother Svyatoslav, and demanded their mother sign over the house to her. “No, Toma! You’re not getting anything!” her mother refused flatly. “Once you’re dead, it’ll be mine anyway!” Tamara snapped heartlessly, shot Alena an irritated glare, and stormed off with Svyatoslav. “Why do you two always argue when she comes?” Alena asked her grandmother. “Because your mother’s a selfish woman! I didn’t raise her properly—didn’t give her enough of a hiding!” grumbled Raisa Petrovna. Grandmother’s illness came out of nowhere; she’d never once complained about her health. Then one day, Alena came home to find her, usually endlessly busy, sitting pale and still on the balcony. “Is something wrong?” Alena asked, worried. “I don’t feel well… Call an ambulance, Alenushka…” her grandmother said calmly. Then it was the hospital, IV drips, and then death. Raisa spent her final days in intensive care—no visits allowed. Desperate with worry, Alena called her mother. At first, she refused to come, but when told her mother was in intensive care, she reluctantly agreed—arriving only in time for the funeral. Three days later, she shoved a will under Alena’s nose: “This house now belongs to me and my sons! Oleg will be coming soon. I know you don’t get along. So you’ll need to stay with Auntie Gail for a while, alright?” There was not a shred of sorrow in her mother’s voice. She almost seemed glad Raisa Petrovna had died—because now she was the heiress! Grief-stricken and powerless to resist, Alena obeyed—after all, the will left everything clear as day. So she moved in with Auntie Gail, her father’s sister. But Gail was scatterbrained, still dreaming of marrying well, and her house was always full of noisy, half-drunk guests. Alena couldn’t stand it—some of the men even began showing an interest in her, which horrified her. Confiding in her boyfriend Paul, Alena was surprised and cheered by his response: “I won’t have all those old blokes staring at you or pawing you!” he said, very determinedly, despite being only nineteen. “I’ll talk to Dad tonight. We’ve got a little flat on the edge of town—Dad promised I could have it once I got into uni. I kept my promise—now it’s his turn.” “I don’t see what I’ve got to do with it…” Alena mumbled. “What do you mean? We’ll live there—together!” “And your parents will agree to that?” “They’ve got no choice! Consider this an official proposal—will you be my wife and live with me?” Alena nearly burst into tears of happiness. “Of course—yes!” Auntie Gail was thrilled to hear about the wedding; Alena’s mother nearly ground her teeth down. “Getting married, are you? Well, you’re quick off the mark! Couldn’t get into uni, so you’ve found a different way to settle down. I’m not giving you a penny—understand? And this house is mine! You get nothing!” Her mother’s words stung. Paul could hardly make sense of her sobs as he brought her back to his parents’ house, where they comforted her as best they could. Paul’s father, Andrew Simon, listened quietly as Alena poured her heart out before saying, “Poor girl! What sort of woman is that?” Paul’s mother exclaimed when she heard Tamara’s threats. “I’m more interested in something else,” said Andrew Simon thoughtfully. “Why is your mother so fixated on this house when there’s a will, and she constantly throws it in your face?” “I don’t know…” Alena sniffled. “She always argued about this house with Grandma—sometimes begged her to sell it and give her the money, then demanded the deeds be signed over. Grandma refused—said if she did that, we’d both be out on the street.” “This is odd! Say, did you go to the solicitor after your grandmother died?” “No, why would I?” Alena was puzzled. “To claim your inheritance rights.” “But my mother is the heir—I’m just the granddaughter. And anyway, she has the will. I saw it.” “It’s not that simple,” Andrew Simon replied. “We’ll go together to see the solicitor after the weekend. For now—you need some rest!” During this time, Alena’s mother brought some documents and tried to force Alena to sign, but Paul intervened: “She’s not signing anything!” “And who are you to say? She’s an adult—she’ll decide for herself!” retorted Tamara, clearly annoyed. “I’m her fiancé, and I won’t risk her safety. So she’s signing nothing right now.” Tamara exploded with insults, but left empty-handed. This only reinforced Andrew Simon’s suspicions. As promised, he accompanied Alena to the solicitor a few days later. “Listen carefully to what they say, and read everything before signing,” he advised. But the solicitor was honest. He took Alena’s statement, and the next day they learned that a probate case had been opened in her name—apparently, Raisa Petrovna had left a savings account for her granddaughter’s tuition. Alena had no idea. “And the house?” Andrew Simon asked. “The house was gifted to the girl a while ago. No other documents exist.” “A deed of gift?” Alena was stunned. “Yes, your grandmother had it drawn up here a few years ago. Now you’re eighteen, you have full legal control of the property.” “What about the will?” “It was drafted seven years ago, but annulled later. Likely, your mother doesn’t know. The house is yours, and you’re fully entitled to live in it.” Andrew Simon’s suspicions proved true. So what now?” Alena asked, bewildered. “What do you think? Tell your mother the house is yours—she’s got to go.” “She’ll never do that! She’s already packed up all my things to throw out!” “That’s what the police are for!” On hearing the news, Tamara was furious: “You wretch! Trying to evict your own mother? Get out of here yourself! I don’t believe your lies—who put you up to this, your fiancé and his dad? You’re two of a kind! I’ve got legal documents too—the will says I inherit this house!” “Exactly! So get out, or I’ll break your legs, see if you ever set foot here again!” Oleg, who’d been glaring the whole time, chimed in. Andrew Simon stood firm. “As for you, sir, threats and intimidation can land you in court!” Andrew Simon warned, polite but firm. “What? Who do you think you are? Get out—this house is for sale! Buyers coming soon!” Instead of buyers, police arrived, demanded the intruders vacate or face arrest. Tamara, her husband and sons were raging—unable to challenge the law. Alena finally returned home. Paul wouldn’t leave her alone, fearing her mother’s husband might threaten her, and moved in too. He was right. Tamara and Oleg harassed Alena for months. Learning of Raisa’s savings, Tamara demanded her share—there was nothing to do but comply, so a portion went to her. But she never got the house no matter what she tried. Only after consulting all the lawyers she could find did Tamara pack up and leave for good. Alena never saw her again. Alena and Paul married. The next summer, she started university for her dream course; by her third year, she’d had her first child. She was grateful to Paul and his family for their support during her hardest moments, and went on to lead a happy life. Author: Odette — — The Mystery The house was old, but well-kept. It had barely sat empty—no time to get wild or fall apart. “Thank goodness!” thought Mary. “I’m not one of those redoubtable British women, handy at every DIY task, stopping runaway horses and braving burning buildings solo!” She climbed the steps, pulled a big iron key from her bag, and unlocked the heavy padlock. *** For some reason, Mary had been left this house by Auntie Lou, an elderly distant relative she barely knew. Strange, but who knows what goes on in the minds of those who’ve lived as long as Auntie Lou—well over ninety by Mary’s reckoning. Mary was, perhaps, her great-niece or second cousin twice removed; in any case, she was no relation of substance—just a working-class seamstress who cooked a mean Sunday roast. Mary had visited Auntie Lou as a girl, and even then Auntie Lou was very old—always preferring to live alone, never asking the family for help. But just recently, she’d died. When Mary got the call telling her that her grandmother had passed away in the village of Puzzle End, it took her a moment to remember Auntie Lou at all—let alone expect she’d inherit the old cottage and its little bit of land. “A nice gift for your retirement!” joked her husband, Michael. “Oh, retirement’s ages away,” Mary protested. “I’m only fifty-four! By the time I limp to sixty, they’ll probably have moved the goalposts again. So let’s just call this a bonus present. I’ve no idea why I deserve it—I didn’t even know Auntie Lou was still alive! I thought she’d passed on ages ago—but I’m hardly in a position to be choosy. If you’re given something, use it.” “Or sell it,” Michael grinned, rubbing his hands. *** Good thing they didn’t sell. Two or three months after Mary became a landowner, another, less pleasant surprise awaited her: she discovered her beloved Michael had been cheating. Yes, just like that—a midlife crisis wrapped up in secrets and lies…

This Is Not Your Home Helen looks around the house where she grew up, a wave of sadness washing over her.