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Injustice Mum, I asked again, trying to steady my voice, why didnt I get the full million? Its only three

Every Tuesday: The Day That Held Us Together – A Journey Through Grief, Growing Up, and Keeping Promises Across the Years

Every Tuesday Eleanor darted through the corridors of the London Underground, her hand clutching an empty

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Postage Stamps and Broken Vows: When Ilya Left Katya, Love, Revenge, and Life’s Unexpected Passions Unfold in a Tale of Family, Heartbreak, and Second Chances

A POSTAGE STAMP Olivers left Emma, Mum sighs heavily. What do you mean? I ask, confused. I dont understand

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The Next Day, Our Neighbour Was Leaning Over Our Fence Again. My Wife Told Her We Had a Lot to Do Today, So We Couldn’t Socialise Like Yesterday. “What About Tomorrow?” Barbara Asked, Curious. “It’ll Be the Same Tomorrow. In Fact, Please Don’t Come Over Anymore.”

The next day, our neighbour was back, leaning over our garden fence as if nothing had changed.

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My Mother-in-Law Was Absolutely Shocked When She Visited Our Garden and Found No Vegetables or Fruit Growing There

My mother-in-laws face was a picture of disbelief as she entered our garden and realised there wasnt

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Granny Always Had a Favourite Grandchild — And what about me, Nan? — whispered Kate. — Oh, you’re fine as you are, Kate, look at those rosy cheeks of yours. Walnuts are for brains, you know. Dima needs to study, he’s a man, the family’s hope. You go on and dust the shelves. Girls should get used to housework. — Kate, are you serious? She’s… she’s not got long now. The doctors said days—maybe hours… Dima stood there, twisting his car keys, looking pretty rough. — Deadly serious, Dima. Do you want some tea? — Kate didn’t even turn from her apple chopping for her daughter. — Sit down, I’ll put the kettle on. — Tea? Kate, are you kidding? — He stepped towards her, frustration in his voice. — She’s lying there, tubes everywhere, gasping… She was calling for you this morning. “Where’s Katie?” she kept saying. My heart nearly stopped. You’re really not going? She’s our nan, Kate. This is your last chance, don’t you see? Kate arranged apple slices on a plate and then finally faced him. — She’s your nan. For her, you’re Dima — her pride and joy, the only heir, the precious hope of the family. And for me… I never really existed for her. Do you honestly think I need to say goodbye? What are we meant to talk about, Dima? What am I supposed to forgive her for—or she, me? — Oh, come off it with these childhood grudges! — Dima slammed his keys on the table. — Yes, maybe she loved me more than you. So what? She’s old, she had her quirks. But she’s dying! Don’t be so… hard-hearted. — I’m not hard-hearted, Dima. I just don’t feel anything for her. Go on, you. Sit with her, hold her hand—she needs you a hundred times more than she needs me. You’re her golden boy. So shine for her till the end. Dima stared, turned, and left, slamming the door. Kate sighed, picked up the apples, and went to her daughter’s room. *** Everything in their family had always been neatly divided. No, their parents loved them equally—both Kate and Dima. The house was always lively, laughter, the smell of baking, a bustle of visits and outings. But Granny—Claudia Watson—was a different sort altogether. — Dima, come here, my clever lad, — Granny would call as soon as they arrived on weekends. — Look what I’ve put aside for you. Freshly shelled walnuts! And these, your favourite toffees! Kate, aged seven then, would stand watching as granny reached deep into the mahogany cabinet for the precious bag. — And me, Granny? — she’d ask quietly. Claudia Watson would cast a prickly glance in her direction. — You’re all right, Kathleen. Those cheeks prove it, don’t they? Walnuts are for clever boys; Dima needs him some brains—he’s a man, the support of the family. You go on and do the dusting. Girls should learn to be useful. Dima, blushing, would take the treats and sidle away, while Kate fetched the dusters. Funny thing was, she never even minded. Young Kate just accepted it like the weather. Some days it rained, and Granny loved Dima best. Life was like that. Usually, her brother waited in the hall. — Here, — he’d press half the toffees and walnuts into her hand. — Just don’t eat them in front of her, she’ll only grumble. — You need them more, for your brain, — Kate would smile. — Oh, stuff that, — Dima would pull a face. — She’s a bit tapped, anyway. Come on, eat up quick. They’d crunch their contraband together on the stairs to the attic. Dima always shared. Always. Even when Granny would slip him money “for ice cream” behind Mum’s back, he’d run to Kate: — Hey, that’s two cones and enough left for a bubble gum sticker! Wanna go? Her brother was always the shield from Granny’s chill. His love more than made up for the shortfall—so much so that Kate barely even noticed she was missing anything. Years passed. Claudia Watson grew old. When Dima turned eighteen, she solemnly announced she was leaving him her spare flat in the centre. — The pillar of the family should have his own place, — she declared. — So he brings home a wife and needn’t sponge off others. Mum just sighed—she knew her mother’s fierce ways and never argued. But later that evening, she sat on Kate’s bed. — Love, don’t you fret… Your dad and I see it all. Here’s what we’ve decided: the money we’ve saved for a bigger house and for a car—we’re giving it to you. A first step towards a place of your own. It’s only fair. — Oh Mum, honestly—Dima needs the flat, he and Irina are getting married. I’ll manage in the halls. — No, love. Your gran’s stuck in her ways, but we’re your parents—it’s wrong for one child to get more than the other. So take it, and don’t argue. But Kate didn’t take it. Dima moved into Gran’s flat the minute he married, and their family house felt suddenly spacious. Kate took his old room, filled it with her books and art, and tasted for the first time the joy of a space filled with equal love. Inheritance never got between her and her brother. If anything, Dima felt awkward. — Pop round to ours, — he’d say, dropping by. — Irina’s made cakes. Gran keeps asking if I’ve wasted “her money” on your hobbies. — And what did you say? — Told her I’d blown the lot on fruit machines and fancy gin, — Dima would laugh. — She huffed for ages, then said, “Katie’s led you astray!” — Naturally, — Kate would grin. — Who else? *** When Kate married Alex and had a baby, housing became an issue. Once more, their mother worked wonders. — Listen, kids, — she said. — We have a three-bed. Dima’s got his flat. You two are renting. Let’s swap: we’ll trade ours for a one-bed and a two-bed. Your dad and I will have the one-bed, Kate, you and Alex the two-bed. — Mum, — Dima interrupted. — I don’t want any share of our old house. Not a penny. Gran’s flat is plenty for me. Let Kate have everything—she needs it, new family and all. — Dima, really? — said Alex, amazed. — That’s a lot of money. Are you sure? — Sure. Kate and I have always split everything. She’s put up with so much because of Gran. Not another word. That’s final. Kate cried that day. Not over square feet, but because her brother was the best person she’d ever know. They swapped the flats. Life carried on. Mum often visited to help with her granddaughter. Dima, Irina, and their boys would come every weekend. Claudia Watson lived alone. Dima brought groceries, fixed things, and listened to endless complaints about her health and “ungrateful Katie”. — Has she ever rung? Has she ever checked on me? — Gran would huff. — You never wanted to know her, Gran, — Dima replied gently. — Twenty years and you never said a kind word—why would she call? — I was just trying to raise her right! — she’d retort. — A woman ought to know her place! And now she’s ended up with the flat, forced myself and her mum out! Dima could only sigh. Explaining was pointless. *** Kate sat in the kitchen, memories drifting through. Granny brushing her hand aside from the jam. Praising Dima’s dodgy drawings, walking past Kate’s prize certificates in silence. She was the queen at Dima’s wedding, never showed for Kate’s—said she was ill. — Mum, why don’t we visit Nana Claudia? — her daughter poked her head in. — Uncle Dima says she’s really poorly. — Nana Claudia only wants to see Uncle Dima, love, — Kate smoothed her daughter’s hair. — That’s just how she likes it. — Is she mean? — her daughter squinted. — No, — Kate reflected. — She just didn’t know how to love everyone at once. Some people only have room for one in their heart. That’s life. That evening, Dima phoned again. — It’s over, Kate. An hour ago. — I’m so sorry, Dima. It must hurt. — She waited for you, you know, — Dima lied gently. Kate knew, but let him. — Said, “Hope Katie will be happy”. — Thank you, Dima… Come round tomorrow. We’ll remember her together—I’ll bake a cake. — Will do… Kate—do you regret it? Not going, I mean? She didn’t lie. — No, Dima. I don’t. Why pretend? Neither of us ever wanted to see the other… He was quiet a moment. — Maybe you’re right, — he sighed. — Always the sensible one, sis. See you tomorrow. The funeral was quiet. Kate went—for Mum and Dima. She stood apart, black coat against the dismal cemetery sky. As the coffin sank, she didn’t cry. Dima came to her, arm round her shoulders. — You all right? — I’m fine, Dima. Really. — I was clearing out her flat… found a box of old photos. You were in there too. Lots. All cut carefully from family photos. She kept every single one. Kate raised an eyebrow in surprise. — Why? — No idea. Maybe deep down she cared, just couldn’t show it. Afraid if she loved you, I’d get less? Old folks can be odd. — Maybe, — Kate shrugged. — But it doesn’t really matter now. They left under one umbrella—tall, sturdy Dima and little Kate. — You know, — said Dima as they reached their cars, — I’m going to sell that flat. I’ll buy a family home, set up a trust for the kids, and the rest… Maybe we should donate it? A children’s hospital, perhaps? So ‘Nan’s’ money finally brings someone some joy… Kate looked at him and, for the first time in days, smiled warmly. — You know, Dima… That would be the sweetest revenge on Granny Watson. The kindest revenge in the world. — So it’s settled? — Settled. They drove away in different directions. Kate, music playing, felt an unexpected, gentle calm settle within. Maybe Dima was right. Some of the money should help heal a child. That would be fair.

Granny Always Had a Favourite And what about me, Gran? she would ask softly. Oh, youre fine, Catherine.

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When a Husband Is Worth More Than Bitter Grievances “Igor, that was the last straw! We’re getting a divorce. Don’t bother dropping to your knees – it won’t work this time!” I put a firm full stop on our marriage. Of course, Igor didn’t believe me. My husband assumed it would play out like always: he’d kneel, apologise, buy another ring, and I’d forgive. It had happened before. But this time I was determined to break the bonds of matrimony for good. My fingers, loaded down with rings, were empty of happiness. Igor was constantly and heavily hitting the bottle. …And yet, it all began so romantically. My first husband, Edward, went missing in the 90s. Life was frightening back then. He was a difficult man who picked fights. As they say, “the eyes of an eagle, the wings of a mosquito”– all show, little strength. If things weren’t to his liking, he’d throw a fit. I’m sure Edward got caught up in some sort of trouble. No word was ever heard. I was left with two daughters: Lizzie, five, and Rose, just two. Five years passed after his mysterious disappearance. I nearly lost my mind. I had loved Edward desperately, despite his temper. We’d been inseparable, two halves of a whole. I’d decided life was over: I would just raise my girls. Gave up on myself. Those years were harsh. I worked in a factory, paid in irons instead of wages. I had to sell them for food. On winter weekends, standing half-frozen at the market, a man approached me out of pity. “Cold, miss?” he asked gently. “How could you tell?” I tried to joke, though I was frozen through. Yet, his presence felt warm. He offered to help carry my unsold irons and suggested a cafe to warm up. I agreed, desperate not only from the cold but a deeper chill inside. We never made it to the cafe. I dragged him close to my house, left him with my things, and rushed to get my girls from nursery. When we returned, he waited as promised. His name was Igor. I invited him in for tea, and over cups and conversation, he offered me a job with better pay than a year’s worth of factory irons. He was in the midst of a divorce, with a son from his first marriage. Soon, we married and he adopted my girls. Life was good. We bought a four-bedroom flat, filled it with expensive furniture and gadgets, built a summer house, and had seaside holidays every year. Bliss. …For seven cloudless years. Then, having achieved comfort, Igor started to drink. At first, I dismissed it – he worked hard and needed to relax. But drinking became daily, then at work. Pleas fell on deaf ears. I’m a risk-taker. To distract Igor, I decided to have his child – at thirty-nine. My friends laughed but understood. “Go for it, Tanya! Maybe we’ll all become mums again at forty!” they joked. I always said: Better to have a child and never regret it, than not and wonder forever. Our twins were born, bringing our daughters to four, but Igor didn’t stop drinking. I took a wild chance: we moved to the country, started a farm, opened a cafe. Igor became a hunter, out in the woods, shotgun in hand. Things trundled along, until one night when, drunken out of his mind, Igor smashed everything, grabbed his shotgun, and fired into the ceiling. I fled with the girls to the neighbours in terror. Later, seeing the devastation, I gathered our things and went to my mother’s. She said, “What can you do? Every marriage has its troubles. Go back, it’ll pass.” Mum always said: Better to grit your teeth for a handsome husband. A few days later Igor showed up. That’s when I drew the line. He remembered nothing, thought I was making it up. But I was done. We sold the cafe for pennies, hurriedly left for a nearby village, squeezing into a tiny house. The older girls started work and soon married. The twins were still at school. They still loved Igor, kept in touch with him. Through them he begged me to come back; they insisted he’d changed. “Think of yourself! You’re not 25 anymore!” But I held firm – I wanted peace, not drama. …Two years passed. Loneliness gnawed at me. I pawned all my rings for money, couldn’t buy any back. I thought, and remembered. Igor had loved all four daughters, he always cared for me, never failed to apologise. We’d been a good family; you can’t measure happiness by another’s life. In time, even the older girls stopped coming by – only calls now. Youth moves on. Soon my twins would fly the nest, and I’d be alone. So, I had the twins ask Igor about his life – maybe there was another woman? But no: he worked in another city, off drink, single. He left them his address, just in case. One way or another, we’ve now been back together for five years. I did say – I’m a bit of a gambler…

A HUSBAND IS WORTH MORE THAN BITTER GRUDGES “Peter, that’s it! This was the last straw. We’

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Gone for Good – Or Is He? When Natasha’s “Mr. Right” Turned Out to Be Mr. Wrong: From Car Trouble and a Chance Encounter in Auto Help UK to a Shocking Disappearance, Love, Lies, and the Lesson of Trust

Gone and Good Riddance What do you mean ‘the number you have dialled is not available’

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A Christmas Eve Miracle: How Dad Forgot the Gift, a White Kitten Appeared Under the Tree, and Kindness Worked Its Magic on the Entire Family

A Christmas Miracle Tom, can you explain to me, please, just how you managed to forget? I reminded you

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My Daughter-in-Law Is Angry With Me Over the Flat and Is Turning My Son Against Me: How My Son Fell for a Manipulative Woman and Their Demand That I Exchange Homes for Their Happiness

My daughter-in-law is upset with me over the flat and has started to turn my son against me.