This Is Not Your Home
Emily gazes around the house shes known since childhood, her heart heavy. At eighteen, she feels thoroughly let down by life. Why has fate been so cruel? Her grandmother has passed away, and she failed to get into university because of a girl she sat next to in the exams. That girl copied all of Emilys answers, then was first to hand in her paper, whispering something to the examiner as she passed. The examiners brow darkened, he demanded to see Emilys test, and then promptly accused her of cheating and threw her out. She couldnt prove her innocence. Soon, she discovered the girl was the daughter of a wealthy local businessman. How could Emily possibly compete with someone like that?
Now, after so many setbacks, her mother suddenly appears in her life, trailing along two brothers shes never met and a new husband. Where have they been all these years? Gran raised Emily her mother was hardly present after Emily turned four. Even then, those years bring Emily no fond recollections. While her father worked, her mother often left her alone and went out in search of fun. Even married, she kept chasing that “ideal man,” hiding nothing from anyone not then, nor after Emilys father died so unexpectedly.
Widowed, Helen didnt mourn for long. She packed her bags, left her four-year-old daughter on her mothers doorstep, and after selling their flat, disappeared. Gran, Mavis, tried in vain to appeal to her sense of decency.
Helen occasionally showed up, but she never had a real interest in Emily. Once, when Emily was twelve, her mother returned with Oliver, who was then seven, demanding her mother transfer the house into her name.
No, Helen! Youll get nothing from me! her mother refused.
Doesnt matter, Mum once youre gone, itll all be mine anyway! Helen shot back, shooting an impatient glare towards her daughter peering in from the next room, then gathered Oliver and stormed out, slamming the door.
Why do you and Mum always argue when she visits? Emily asked her grandmother after.
Because shes a selfish woman, thats why! I should have raised her better, given her a bit more discipline! snapped Mavis.
Grandma fell ill quite suddenly. She was never one to complain about her health. Then, one day, Emily came home from school to find her ever-busy grandmother sitting pale and idle in a chair overlooking the garden a sight Emily had never seen.
Somethings happened, hasnt it? Emily asked, worried.
I dont feel well at all Please call an ambulance, love, Mavis replied quietly.
After that it was hospital stays, IV drips and then death. The last days, Gran spent in intensive care no visits allowed. Sick with worry, Emily finally broke down and called her mother. At first, Helen wouldnt come, but when Emily told her grandma was in intensive care, she finally agreed but only managed to arrive for the funeral. Three days later, Helen shoved a will in Emilys face:
This house is now mine, and it belongs to my sons, too! Oliver will be arriving soon. I know you dont get along with him. So youll stay with Aunt Gail for a bit, right?
Not an ounce of grief in her mothers voice she almost seemed to relish Mavis passing now shed inherited!
Devastated and overwhelmed, Emily couldnt fight back. The will was clear. And so she went to live with Aunt Gail her dads sister for a time. But Gail was frivolous, always hoping to catch a rich husband, with a noisy house full of tipsy friends. Emily couldnt bear it, especially as some of those men began to show an unsettling interest in her.
Telling her boyfriend, Paul, about everything brought a surprising and welcome response:
Im not having those old men ogle you or make a move! Youll stay with me. Ill sort it weve got a flat on the edge of town. Dad promised I could have it once I got into uni, and I kept my promise. Now its his turn, he declared, more resolve in his voice than his nineteen years would suggest.
I don’t see what this has to do with me, Emily stammered.
What do you mean? Well live there together!
Will your parents really agree to that?
They wont have much choice. Consider this my official proposal: Will you marry me and live with me in the flat?
Emily nearly burst into tears of joy.
Yes, of course I will!
Aunt Gail was delighted at news of the engagement; her mother was furious.
Off to get married, are you? Look how quickly you move! If you couldnt get into university, at least you found another way. You wont get a penny from me, remember that! And this house is mine, you get nothing!
Such words hurt Emily deeply. Paul coaxed the story from her through her tears, then brought her to his parents, who did their best to cheer her up and ply her with tea.
Pauls dad, Andrew, listened to her ordeal. So much misery in a few months some people dont go through as much over a lifetime.
Oh my dear! What a dreadful woman your mother must be! exclaimed Pauls mum, Elizabeth, when Emily finished.
But I wonder something else, Andrew chimed in thoughtfully. Why is your mother so fixated on the house, especially when there’s a will and she keeps waving it at you?
I dont know… Emily sniffled. She was always arguing with Gran about it first wanting her to sell it and give her the money, then demanding Gran sign it over to her. But Gran wouldnt. She said if she did that, wed all be thrown out on the street.
Somethings not right. Have you been to see a solicitor since your Gran died? Andrew pressed.
No… should I? Emily asked, surprised.
To prove your inheritance rights.
But Mums the heir, isnt she? Im only a granddaughter and Mum’s shown me the will.
Its more complicated than that, Andrew said. After the weekend, Ill come with you to the solicitors office. For now, you need to rest.
Emily met her mother soon after. Helen tried to give her a stack of papers to sign, but Paul intervened.
Shes not signing anything!
Who are you to say? Shes an adult and can decide for herself! Helen snapped.
Im her fiancé and I believe this could lead to trouble. So for now, shes not signing a thing, Paul said firmly.
Helen erupted in insults, but in the end had to leave empty-handed which only increased Andrews suspicions.
A few days later, as promised, Andrew went with Emily to the solicitor.
Listen closely, he advised. But when you sign, read everything carefully!
Luckily, the solicitor was thorough. He accepted Emilys application, and within a day they received news: an inheritance case was officially opened in her name. It turned out that Mavis had a savings account with some money set aside for Emilys education something shed never known.
What about the house? Andrew asked again.
The title deed for the house was transferred to the young lady years ago. There are no other documents, the solicitor replied.
What do you mean transferred? Emily said, confused.
Your grandmother arranged a deed of gift to you several years back. Youre now eighteen and can fully claim ownership.
But the will?
That was written seven years ago, and later revoked. Apparently your mothers unaware. The house is yours and you have every right to live here.
Just as Andrew suspected.
What do we do now? Emily asked as they left the office.
Tell your mother the house is yours, and she needs to move out.
Shell never agree! Shes already packed up all my things to throw me out!
Thats what the police are for, Andrew said calmly.
Helen exploded when Emily told her.
Isnt this rich! Chucking your own mother out! Get out yourself! Think Ill believe your nonsense? Who put you up to this your little fiancé and his interfering father? Youll get nothing! Ive got papers a will naming me as the only heir!
Exactly! So get lost, or Ill break your legs myself for even setting foot here! sneered Oliver, glaring all the while. Andrew and Emily stood their ground.
You realise making threats and behaving like this is grounds for arrest, Andrew cautioned him, polite but firm.
And who are you to lecture me? Oliver barked. Just get out! Im selling this house! Buyers are on their way theyll be here any minute!”
But instead of buyers, the police arrived. Once theyd heard both sides, they ordered Helen and her family to vacate, warning them that refusal would bring criminal charges. Helen, her husband and sons were livid but could do nothing in the face of authority. At last, Emily returned home. Paul refused to let her stay alone, fearing Helens husband might show up, so he moved in with her.
He was right to worry. Helen and Oliver hounded Emily for months, especially after Helen learned about the savings account she tried to claim it through the solicitor, and ended up getting a share. But nothing she did could wrest the house away; only after exhausting every legal avenue did Helen finally give up, pack her things, and return home. Emily never spoke to her again.
Emily married Paul. The following summer, she began her dream course at university, and by her third year, welcomed their first child. She was deeply grateful to Paul and his family for standing by her in such difficult times and the rest of her life was happy and content.
By Odette
—
—
The Secret
The cottage was old, but lovingly looked after. It had hardly been empty long enough to fall into disrepair. Thank heavens for that, thought Sarah. I havent got a man at the moment, and probably never will. Im not one of those indomitable English women who can do everything themselves hammering in nails one minute, wrestling runaway horses the next, and storming into burning buildings to rescue the dog!
She climbed the worn steps, fetched the battered key from her bag, and unlocked the heavy padlock.
***
Sarah never quite understood why Aunt Louisa left her this place. Louisa was family but only distantly and barely known to Sarah. But who knows how the minds of the very elderly work? By Sarahs estimate, Aunt Louisa was nearly a hundred. She was perhaps a great-great-aunt, maybe a second cousin once removed. In any case, everyone knew her as the familys cook and seamstress.
Sarah had only visited Aunt Louisa in her youth. Even then, Louisa was well on in years but preferred to live alone, never burdening family or asking for help. Recently, though, shed passed away.
When Sarah got the call saying her grandmother in the village of Drakesworth was dead, she didnt immediately connect her to Louisa. And she certainly never imagined shed inherit the little cottage and its half-acre garden.
A gift for your retirement! her husband Alan joked.
Retirements nearly as far away as the moon! Im only fifty-four by the time Im sixty, theyll have pushed it back again. Its just a present, really though I cant imagine what for. I barely knew Aunt Louisa was still alive. Id assumed shed long since gone to meet her maker. Still, its not in my position to complain. If its a gift, I might as well use it.
Or sell it! Alan said, rubbing his hands together.
***
Sarah was thankful they didnt. Just a couple of months after she became a landowner, she was hit with another surprise and a less pleasant one, at that. Turned out dear Alan had been unfaithful. Yes, just like that. Grey at the temples and up to no good, the old cliché proving all too true…
