This Is Not Your Home Alena gazed sadly around the house where she had grown up since childhood. At eighteen, she was thoroughly disappointed with life. Why had fate been so cruel to her? Her grandmother had died, and she failed to get into university because of a girl who sat next to her during exams. The girl had copied all of Alena’s answers and, after being the first to hand in her paper, whispered something in the examiner’s ear. He frowned, demanded to see Alena’s answers, and then told her she was being expelled from the exam for cheating. There was no way to prove her innocence. Later, it turned out that the girl was the daughter of the local rich man. How could anyone compete with people like that? Now, after so many setbacks, her mother had suddenly appeared in her life, bringing 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 with her until she was about four years old. Nor did Alena have pleasant memories of that time: while her father was at work, her mother would leave her alone and go off to enjoy herself. Even when married, Alena’s mother was always searching for “a real man” and made no effort to hide it, not back then and not after Alena’s father had suddenly passed away. Left a widow, Tamara did not mourn for long. She quickly packed her things, left her four-year-old daughter on her mother’s doorstep, sold the flat left by her late husband, and disappeared. Grandmother Raya made every effort to appeal to her conscience, but it was useless. Tamara would occasionally visit but never showed any affection for Alena. Once, she came when Alena was twelve, bringing seven-year-old Sviatoslav, and demanded that her mother sign the house over to her. “No, Toma! You’ll get nothing!” her mother refused point-blank. “Once you die, it’ll be mine anyway!” Tamara replied heartlessly, glared irritably at her daughter, who was observing from the adjoining room, gathered Sviatoslav, and slammed the door on her way out. “Why do you always argue when she visits?” Alena asked her grandmother afterwards. “Because your mother is self-centred! I raised her badly! Should have disciplined her more!” Raisa Petrovna snapped. Her grandmother’s illness came suddenly. She had never complained of any health issues. But one day, when Alena returned home from school, she found her usually bustling grandmother pale, sitting quietly on the balcony. Alena had never before seen her grandmother sitting idle. “Is something wrong?” Alena asked, concerned. “I don’t feel well… Call for an ambulance, Alena,” her grandmother requested calmly. Then came the hospital, the drips… the end. Raisa Petrovna spent her final days in intensive care, where visits were not allowed. Driven half mad with worry, Alena finally called her mother. At first, her mother refused to come, but when Alena explained that her grandmother was in intensive care, she finally agreed—yet only arrived in time for the funeral. Three days later, she thrust a will under Alena’s nose: “This house now belongs to me and my sons! Oleg will be arriving soon. I know you don’t get along with him. So, go stay with Aunt Galya for a while, alright?” There wasn’t a hint of sorrow in her mother’s voice. She seemed pleased Raisa Petrovna was gone—now she was the heir! Crushed by grief, Alena was helpless to resist. The will was clear. So she began living at her Aunt Galya’s—her father’s sister. But Galya was flighty and still hoping for a wealthy match, so her home was always noisy with half-drunk guests, and Alena found it impossible to stay. Worse yet, some men began to take an interest in her, which frightened Alena terribly. When Alena confided everything to her boyfriend Pasha, his reaction surprised and delighted her: “I won’t have strange old men staring at you or putting their hands on you!” he declared decisively, despite being just nineteen. “I’ll talk to my dad today. We have a small flat on the edge of town. Dad promised I could move in once I got into university. I kept my promise, so now it’s his turn.” “I’m not sure what this has to do with me,” Alena replied, confused. “What do you mean? We’ll live there together!” “Will your parents agree to that?” “They don’t have a choice! You can consider this my official proposal: Will you marry me and live together in that flat?” Alena was on the verge of tears from happiness. “Yes, of course—yes!” Aunt Galya was thrilled to hear about the upcoming wedding, but her mother practically ground her teeth in anger: “So you’re getting married, are you? Look at you, moving quickly! Couldn’t get into university, so you’re sorting yourself out another way! Well, don’t expect any money from me! And this house is mine! You won’t get anything!” Her mother’s words hurt Alena deeply. Pasha barely managed to understand what had happened through her sobs. He took his tearful fiancée home, where his parents comforted her and gave her tea. Andrei Semyonovich listened attentively to the story of his future daughter-in-law, whose few months had brought her more trouble than many people see in a lifetime. “My poor girl! What kind of woman is she?” Pasha’s mother exclaimed when she heard what Tamara had said. “What I’m wondering,” Andrei Semyonovich said thoughtfully, “is why she’s holding so tightly to this house and always throwing it in your face if there is a will?” “I don’t know,” Alena replied through tears. “She always argued with grandmother about it. First she wanted to sell it and take the money, then she demanded Grandma sign it over to her. But Grandma refused. She said if she did that, we’d both end up out on the street.” “It’s all a bit odd! Tell me, did you go to a solicitor after your grandmother died?” “No, why would I?” Alena was surprised. “To settle inheritance matters.” “But my mother is the only heir. I’m just a granddaughter. And she showed me the will.” “It’s not as simple as that,” Andrei Semyonovich said. “After the weekend, we’ll go together to the solicitor. For now, you need some rest!” Alena soon saw her mother again. Tamara brought her some documents, trying to force her to sign, but Pasha intervened: “She’s not signing anything!” “And who are you to say?” Tamara snapped, irked. “She’s an adult. She can decide for herself!” “I’m her fiancé, and I think this could harm her. So she’s signing nothing for now.” Tamara exploded with insults, but had to leave empty-handed. The episode only increased Andrei Semyonovich’s suspicions. A few days later, as promised, he accompanied Alena to the solicitor. “Listen carefully to everything, and check every paper before you sign,” he said. But the solicitor was scrupulous. He accepted Alena’s application, and the next day, they learned that an inheritance case had been opened in Alena’s name. It turned out Raisa Petrovna had a savings account to pay for her granddaughter’s studies—a fact Alena was unaware of. “And what about the house?” asked Andrei Semyonovich. “There’s been a deed of gift in the girl’s name for some years now. No other documents exist.” “A deed of gift?” Alena was surprised. “Your grandmother came to our office several years ago to formally gift the house to you. You recently turned eighteen, so now you are the legal owner.” “But what about the will?” “It was written seven years ago, then revoked. It seems your mother doesn’t know. The house is yours, legally, and you may live in it.” All doubts confirmed. “So what do I do now?” Alena asked, flustered. “What else? Tell your mother the house is yours, and she needs to leave.” “But she’ll never go! She’s already packed my things to kick me out!” “Well, that’s what the police are for.” Upon hearing the news, Tamara was furious. “You little wretch! Planning to throw your mother out? You leave! You think I’ll believe your lies? Who put you up to this? Your fiancé and his father? You found your match! I have a document giving me the right to this house! My mother wrote a will saying I’m the heir!” “That’s right! So get out, or I’ll break your legs so you won’t dare come here again!” Oleg, who had sat glaring throughout, joined in. Andrei Semyonovich and Alena stood their ground. “For threatening behaviour, you could be prosecuted,” Andrei Semyonovich replied, calm but firm. “What? Who do you think you are? Get out! The house is being sold! Buyers are coming soon.” Instead of buyers, the police arrived. After reviewing the situation, they ordered the unwelcome relatives to vacate, warning that otherwise, they could face criminal charges. Tamara, her husband, and her sons were furiously angry but had no choice. Alena finally returned to her home. Pasha moved in, worried Tamara’s husband might try something. His fears proved justified. Tamara and Oleg continued to harass Alena for some time. When Tamara learned that Raisa Petrovna’s account existed, she pursued it with the solicitor and managed to claim part of it—but as for the house, nothing she did worked. Tamara only gave up after consulting every solicitor she could find, and eventually left with her family. Alena never saw her mother again. Alena married Pavel. The following summer, she enrolled to study her dream subject at university, and in her third year, had her first child. She was always grateful for the support of her husband and his family, and spent her days in happiness. Author: Odette — — The Village Riddle The cottage was old, but well kept. It hardly stood empty at all—barely enough time for it to grow wild or fall into disrepair. “Well, thank goodness for that!” Masha thought. “There’s no man in my life these days—and probably never will be again. And I’m nowhere near those indomitable Russian women who can do it all: hammer nails, stop runaway horses, and dash through burning houses!” She ascended the little porch, drew the big key from her bag, and unlocked the heavy padlock. *** Why this house had been bequeathed to Masha by Baba Lyuba, she did not know. The elderly woman was a distant relation, barely known. Strange, but who can fathom the minds of very old people? By Masha’s calculation, Baba Lyuba was around a hundred years old. Whether she was Masha’s great-aunt or some kind of cousin, she wasn’t even sure. But back in her youth, Masha would visit Baba Lyuba. Even then, Lyuba was getting on in years and preferred to live alone, never leaning on family or asking for help. And now, with no warning, she had passed away. When Masha got the call that her grandmother had died in the village of Riddle, it took her a moment to realize which grandmother they meant. She certainly hadn’t expected Baba Lyuba’s house and its half-acre plot to come to her. “A retirement gift!” joked her husband, Michael. “Oh, please, retirement’s a long way off!” Masha waved him away. “I’m only fifty-four. And by the time I shuffle to sixty, they’ll probably push it back again. So it’s just a gift. I just can’t imagine what for! I never even knew Baba Lyuba was still alive. I thought she’d long since joined her ancestors. Who knew how old she was. But it’s not the time to be picky. If you’re given something, best to make use of it.” “Or sell it!” Michael rubbed his hands. *** Good thing they didn’t sell. Just a couple of months after Masha became a landowner, she got another surprise—this time, far less pleasant than an inheritance. It turned out that her beloved Michael was having an affair. Yes, even at his age! Grey hairs and a wild streak, as the saying goes…

This Isnt Your Home

Ellie gazed around the house shed grown up in, her heart heavy. At eighteen, she was thoroughly disillusioned with life. Why did fate seem to have it in for her? Her Nan had passed away, she hadnt got into university because of a girl whod sat at the next desk during the exams. That girl had copied off her, then was the first to hand in her papers and whispered something to the examiner. He frowned, came straight over to Ellie, demanded to see her answers, and threw her out for cheating. She never managed to prove her innocence. Later, she found out the girl was the daughter of a local businessman. How could you possibly fight people like that?

And now, after all that disappointment, her mother had reappeared, dragging along two of Ellies half-brothers and a new husband. Where had they even been for all these years? Ellie had been raised by her nan her mum was only around until she was about four and even then, there werent any happy memories from those early days. While Ellies dad was at work, her mother would leave her alone to go off and enjoy herself. Even when she was married, she was always on the lookout for a decent bloke, and shed never bothered to hide it, not when Ellie was little, and not after Ellies father had suddenly died.

Her mum, Linda, didnt stay a widow for long. She quickly packed her bags, left her four-year-old daughter on Nans doorstep, sold the little flat shed inherited after Ellies dad passed away, and set off for who knows where. Nan, Rita, did her best to appeal to her sense of decency, but it was pointless.

From time to time, Linda would pop in, but she barely paid Ellie any attention. Once, when Ellie was twelve, Linda came back with a seven-year-old Adam and insisted Nan hand the house over to her.

No, Linda! Youre not getting anything! Nan said, absolute in her refusal.

Youll die and it’ll be mine anyway! Linda snapped, giving Ellie, who was watching from the next room, a disgusted glance before gathering Adam and slamming the door as she left.

Why does it always end up in a row when she comes round? Ellie asked Nan afterwards.

Because your mother is selfish! I didnt bring her up right shouldve disciplined her more! Rita grumbled.

Nan fell ill so suddenly, it took everyone by surprise. She never complained about her health, but one afternoon, when Ellie came home from college, she found her usually busy nan sitting, pale and motionless, in her armchair by the window. It was shocking to see her idle she was always on her feet, doing something.

Is everything alright? Ellie asked anxiously.

Im not feeling too good, darling Could you call an ambulance? Nan said calmly.

Then came the hospital, the drips and death. Rita spent her last days in intensive care, no visitors allowed. Out of her mind with worry, Ellie, in desperation, rang her mother. At first, Linda refused to come, but when she heard Nan was in intensive care, agreed, but only managed to arrive in time for the funeral. Three days later, she shoved a will under Ellies nose:

This house belongs to me and my sons now! Oleg will be here soon. I know you don’t get on with him, so youd better stay with Auntie Gail for a bit, alright?

There was not a trace of sadness in her mothers voice if anything, she seemed almost delighted that Rita had died, just happy to be the heir!

Grieving, Ellie had no strength to go up against her mum. The will was clear as day. So, for a while, Ellie stayed with Auntie Gail her dads sister. But Gail was a flighty woman, always hoping to find herself a wealthy husband, so her house was constantly full of noisy, half-drunk guests. Ellie couldnt stand it. Some of Gails friends started paying unwelcome attention to Ellie herself, which scared her even more.

When Ellie confided her worries to her boyfriend, Peter, she was taken aback and relieved by how he responded:

Im not having a bunch of weird old blokes gawping at you, or worse! Peter said firmly, and, despite only being nineteen, added, Ill speak to my dad today. We have a one-bed flat out on the edge of town. Dad promised I could move in once I started uni. Well, I kept my end of the bargain; now its time for him to keep his.

I dont see what thats got to do with me, Ellie said, lost.

What do you mean? Well live there together!

Do you think your parents will agree to that?

Theyve got no choice! Consider this me asking you officially will you move in with me? Will you marry me?

Ellie almost burst into happy tears.

Of course I will!

Auntie Gail was over the moon when she heard the wedding news, but Ellies mum just sneered:

So, youre getting married now, are you? Quick off the mark, arent you, considering you couldnt even get into university! Dont come asking me for money, and dont think youre getting this house!

Her mothers words wounded Ellie deeply. Peter could scarcely make sense of what she said through her sobs, but he bundled his tearful fiancée off to his parents house, where his mum started making her tea and soothing her nerves.

Peters dad, Andrew, listened carefully as Ellie told the whole miserable story it was clear shed had more trouble in a few months than most people see in a lifetime.

Oh, love, what a shame! Peters mum exclaimed when she heard what Linda had said. I just cant fathom a mother like that!

Ive got a different question Andrew said thoughtfully. Why does she seem so obsessed with this house, always throwing it in your face, when theres a will?

I dont know Ellie sobbed. Every time she came, she and Nan were at each others throats over the house. First she wanted it sold and the money given to her, then she demanded Nan just sign it over. Nan always said if she did that, wed all end up homeless.

Its odd, thats for sure. Have you been to the solicitor since your nan died? Andrew asked.

No. Why would I? Ellie replied, puzzled.

To make your inheritance rights official.

But Mums the heir, not me. Im only the granddaughter. And Ive seen the will Mum showed me.

Its not that simple, Andrew said. Well go see the solicitor after the weekend. For now, just try to rest.

Before long, Ellie had another run-in with her mother. Linda brought her some papers and tried to force Ellie to sign them, but Peter intervened.

She wont be signing anything, he said, standing his ground.

And who are you to interfere? Shes an adult; shell do as she pleases! Linda snapped, bristling.

Im her future husband, and Im not about to let her sign something that might hurt her. Nothing gets signed until we know exactly what it says.

Linda exploded with insults and stormed out, empty-handed, which only sharpened Andrews suspicions.

A few days later, Andrew kept his word and accompanied Ellie to the solicitor.

Listen carefully to what he says, but check every detail before putting your name to anything, Andrew reminded her.

The solicitor turned out to be meticulous. He helped Ellie file her claim, and just a day later, they heard back: a case had been opened in her name. Turns out Rita had left a savings account with a modest amount put aside for Ellies studies money she knew nothing about.

What about the house? Andrew asked, always practical.

The property was signed over to her years ago. No other documents exist, the solicitor replied.

Signed over? What do you mean? Ellie gasped.

Your nan came here several years back and arranged for the house to be a gift to you. Now youve turned eighteen, its yours to do with as you please.

And the will?

It was written seven years ago, then cancelled. Your mother probably doesnt know. The house is yours, and you have every right to live there.

Andrews suspicions were spot on.

So what do I do now? Ellie asked, a bit lost, when they stepped out.

What do you mean? Tell your mum the house is yours and she has to leave.

Shell never go! Shes packed my things and put them out on the doorstep already!

Thats why weve got the police.

When Linda heard the news, she went ballistic.

Oh, you little traitor! Think you can chuck your own mother out? Im not going anywhere. Ive got proof that this house is rightfully mine! The will says so!

Thats right! So get out before I break your legs for good measure! Oleg, Lindas husband, chipped in, fuming from the sidelines. But Andrew stood his ground.

Careful, mate, thats a criminal threat, and the police might take a very dim view, he replied, calm but firm.

Says who? Who do you think you are, trying to teach me a lesson? Get out this place is going up for sale! The buyers are coming any minute!

But instead of buyers, it was the police who showed up. After hearing everyone out, they ordered Linda and her family to leave the property, warning theyd be facing charges if they refused. Furious, but powerless, Linda and her bunch had no choice but to pack up and go. Ellie finally returned home. Peter wouldnt let her stay alone, fearing Lindas husband would cause trouble, so he moved in too.

And Peter was right to worry. Linda and Oleg spent months pestering Ellie, or tried to. When Linda found out about Nans savings account, she went back to the solicitor to claim a share. Not much could be done about that she got some of the money. But as for the house, nothing worked, no matter what she tried. Only after speaking to every lawyer in the area did Linda finally give up, pack up her family, and go. Ellie never spoke to her again.

Ellie and Peter got married. The following summer, she enrolled on the course shed always dreamed of, and by her third year, shed had their first child. She was forever grateful to Peter and his family for helping her through the most difficult time of her life, and she never stopped being happy.

Odette

—

—

The Mystery

The house was old, but well looked after it had hardly sat empty at all, so everything still felt solid and welcoming. Thank goodness for that, thought Mary. No man about these days, and probably never will be again. Im not one of those legendary English women who can do it all cant hammer a nail straight, cant stop a runaway horse, and you certainly wont catch me rescuing the house from a burning fire!

She climbed the old stone steps, dug her key from her handbag, and undid the heavy old padlock.

***

Mary had never really understood why Auntie Dot left her the cottage. Dot had been more of a distant relative than anything, and barely knew Mary. But you never know whats going on in the minds of people that old. Dot must have been nearly a hundred, by Marys guessing Mary was either her great-niece or her cousin once removed, or something equally complicated, being both dressmaker and cook to half the family.

Mary had visited Auntie Dot only once or twice in her youth. Dot was elderly even then, but always insisted on living alone, never asking for help or favours from her kin. And out of the blue, shed passed away.

When Mary got the call telling her that her aunt in the village of Riddleton had passed, she didnt immediately remember who Auntie Dot was. And she certainly didnt expect to inherit her cottage and a half-acre of land.

A retirement gift for you, then! joked Marys husband, Michael.

As if retirements like walking to the moon! Im only fifty-four by the time I crawl to sixty, theyll have pushed the age back again, no doubt. Still, a gifts a gift. No point fussing about why. I barely remembered Dot was alive, let alone that shed leave me something. I figured shed gone years ago! But who am I to refuse a bit of luck?

Or we could always sell it! Michael grinned, rubbing his hands together.

***

Thank goodness we didnt sell up. A few months after Mary became a landowner, she got another, much less welcome surprise her precious Michael was having an affair. Midlife crisis or not, it cut her to the coreShed stumbled across the proof, of all places, in her own kitchenone of Michaels shirts, with lipstick on the collar, stuffed deep in the dirty laundry. At first, Mary shrank with humiliation and fury, but as the shock wore off, she surprised herself. No weeping, no flinging accusations, just a slow, cold clarity: she was done. Her marriage, it seemed, had ended just in time for her new life to begin.

So Mary left. She packed her bags methodically and caught the evening train to Riddleton, her heart heavier than her luggage. That first night in the cottage, she lay awake staring at the swirl of unfamiliar ceiling shadows, the silence pressing in on her from all sides. It was lonely, being the only soul in a house that had sheltered another for so long. But in the morning, she woke to sunlight painting the floor and birds scrapping in the eaves, and the sting in her heart felt a little less sharp.

She threw herself into the place. Clearing out Auntie Dots cupboards revealed half a century of tin openers, mugs, cryptic shopping lists. Mary shed the old curtains, set her own teapot on the stove, and let Dots ancient garden reclaim her. She learned to dig potatoes and chase off rabbits and hammer up shelveswith a little YouTube, anything could be managed, she found.

But more than anything, it was Riddleton itself that surprised her. At first, the village seemed kept immune from time, with gossipy dog-walkers and shops that closed by four. Yet, as the weeks went by, she spun into its rhythm. She found herself invited for cake by the widow next door, asked to join the brambles-and-brew book club, andquite to her shockapproached by the vicar, who seemed convinced Mary would make an excellent organiser for the upcoming fête.

And then, in early spring as rain drummed steady on the newly cleared windows, Mary discovered a yellowed envelope tucked inside one of Dots recipe books. It was addressed to her, in a wavery, looped hand.

“To Marymy unexpected friend,” it began. Auntie Dots letter was brief: memories of a shy little girl with muddy boots, a reminder that even stray visits could matter. It held, too, a whisper of humor: “Take care of my garden; shell reward you. Dont fret if the pipes rattlejust give em a whack.”

Mary closed the letter with a smile and put the kettle on, the cottage warm around her. She no longer wondered why Dot had chosen her; she simply felt gratefula gratitude that grew every time she caught herself smiling, baked scones for the book club, or watched the wisteria bloom along the fence.

The world she left behindMichaels betrayal, the citys rushfelt as far away as last years snow. In Riddleton, Mary learned she could begin again, even when something precious is lost. She had a sense, as she tended the garden one gold-soft dusk, that she was exactly where she belonged.

By the time summer came, Mary had become a fixture at the fête, handled burst pipes and surly hedgehogs, and finally understood: sometimes, the home you never expected is the one you end up loving most.

And if, in quiet moments, she still asked herself, Why me?the real answer was simple: because hope comes when you least expect it, and sometimes, a new key in your pocket opens everything.