‘What do you mean, we’re not the heirs? There’s no other family!’ Poppy Hartley threw her hands wide, still talking, until she saw the official papers sitting on the table.
That story had begun long before those legal documents arrived in Marjorie Hartley’s flat. She lived alone in a small one-bedroom flat in one of those grey tower blocks. Her husband George had died years before, and the children had moved away.
Each of them had their own life, their own worries. They rarely thought of their mother. At first Marjorie minded; she even cried quietly in the evenings, looking through old family photographs. Then she simply got used to it. She tried to keep busy with the housework so that loneliness would not drive her mad.
Every year her health grew worse. Old age crept up on her and took her strength. One day she could not even make it to the shop. Her legs suddenly gave way, her eyes went dark, and she barely caught the doorframe to keep herself from falling.
The person who came to her rescue was Edith Platt, a neighbour who lived on the floor below. Edith was a little younger and was glad to help. She brought fresh bread, collected Marjorie’s prescriptions from the chemist, cooked hot soup, helped with the cleaning and washed the curtains.
One summer day the two women sat on the bench by the entrance, in the shade of an old horse chestnut tree. Edith watched her neighbour struggling for breath and finally said, ‘Marjorie, why don’t you telephone your children? They should be helping you somehow. You raised them. You gave them your whole life.’
‘Oh, Edith, do you think I haven’t tried?’ Marjorie sighed, lowering her eyes. ‘My son almost never picks up the phone. And when his wife answers, she says they haven’t got a spare minute. Work, the house, building work. And they’re cramped because her parents live with them. There’s barely room for their children, let alone me. In short, nobody’s waiting for me there.’
‘And your daughter? A daughter ought to be closer to her mother.’
‘My daughter phoned the other day. Only to ask for money. When I honestly told her that I could barely afford my medicine and that my pension was tiny, she called me mean and put the phone down. Those are my children.’
Edith shook her head. She felt truly sorry for Marjorie, who had worked all her life in a factory and been a respected person, only to be left unwanted in old age.
‘You know, Marjorie,’ Edith said thoughtfully, ‘perhaps you should take in a lodger. A nice girl, a student. You’d have some extra money and a living soul in the house. It wouldn’t be so frightening to be alone at night.’
‘Who would want to come into my little one-bedroom flat? It’s far too cramped,’ Marjorie said doubtfully. ‘Unless it was somebody with no great expectations at all.’
The two women were so lost in conversation that they did not notice the young man sitting on the next bench with a large rucksack at his feet. He had been listening carefully. When the women stopped talking, he got up awkwardly and came over.
‘Good afternoon. Sorry, I couldn’t help hearing what you were saying,’ he began, taking off his cap. ‘My name is Alfie Burrows. I’ve come here to study at the college, but finding somewhere to live has been a complete disaster.’
‘What happened, son?’ Marjorie asked kindly.
‘There aren’t enough rooms in the halls of residence. They said I’d have to wait until next semester. And I can’t afford to rent a flat of my own. My parents come from a small village. They’re ordinary working people and there isn’t much money. Would you possibly take me in, even just in a corner or on the kitchen floor?’
The two women looked at each other in surprise. The lad was neat and clean, with calm, honest eyes. There was no rudeness or slyness in his face.
‘I’m good at everything around the house,’ Alfie went on quickly, seeing that they were hesitating. ‘Cleaning, fixing things, mending a tap, running to the shop or the chemist in any weather. I’d be your first helper. I promise you won’t regret it for a single day.’
Marjorie straightened her headscarf and asked where he was staying now, with the term about to begin.
‘Nowhere,’ the boy sighed, hanging his head. ‘I sat on a bench at the station all night. I looked for rooms by the advertisements, but everywhere they were asking far more money than I’ve got. I saw your pleasant green yard, sat down to think and stayed. I can’t go back to the village with nothing to show for it.’
The two neighbours moved aside and talked for a moment. Edith nodded, saying the young man looked genuine and worth a try. Marjorie decided to take the risk and invited Alfie inside to see the flat.
From that day onwards, life in the old flat changed completely. Alfie settled on a small sofa in the kitchen and was deeply grateful even for such a modest roof over his head.
He turned out to be an extremely hard-working and polite young man. There was never any noise or mess in the flat. He woke earlier than anyone, washed quietly, and hurried off to his classes.
He managed everything. He studied well, received his student grant and helped around the house. After college he stopped at the shop every day, bought fresh food and carefully checked the date on the milk and bread.
He also took complete charge of Marjorie’s medicine. He sorted her pills into the days of the week and made sure she ate breakfast before taking them. Whenever she suddenly felt unwell, he was right there beside her.
By the end of the second month, Marjorie flatly refused to take any money from him for rent or bills.
‘Son, you help me far more than my own children have done in the last ten years,’ she said, her eyes filling with tears. ‘Your work is worth more than those pieces of paper. Keep your money for yourself. You need it for your studies, for clothes, for books.’
Alfie protested at first, embarrassed, but the old lady would not change her mind. She simply did not know how else to thank God for sending her such a wonderful helper.
Three years passed quietly and peacefully. Alfie grew close to Marjorie, stopped being shy, and began to call her Gran. She treated him like the grandson she had never had.
One day, at the local post office where Alfie had gone to send a parcel to his parents, he met a girl. Her name was Imogen. She was a student, working there as a counter clerk during her summer holidays.
At first they only said hello politely. Then Alfie began to visit more often, even when he had no real errand. They talked about their studies, about books, about life.
In time Alfie gathered his courage and invited her for a walk in the town park. They strolled along the paths, shared an ice cream and talked about everything under the sun.
Imogen was surprised to learn that Alfie lived with an elderly woman and looked after her so sincerely, expecting nothing back. His kindness, responsibility and selflessness moved her to the core. She realised that here was a young man she could rely on in any situation.
They began to meet more regularly. At first they went out only at weekends; then they tried to see each other at every free moment.
Before long, Alfie decided it was time to introduce Imogen to Marjorie. He was nervous, wondering how the old lady would take to his girlfriend.
His worry was completely unnecessary. Marjorie liked Imogen at once. The girl was well-mannered, modest, sincere and respectful towards older people. She immediately offered to help in the kitchen, washed the dishes and brewed a lovely cup of herbal tea.
‘Take care, Alfie, don’t let your happiness slip away,’ Marjorie often said in the evenings after the girl had gone home. ‘Imogen is a fine, bright person. Plenty of boys must be looking at her, so you need to be bolder.’
‘I would gladly, Gran,’ the young man said, blushing. ‘But I haven’t got a place of my own. Where would I bring her after the wedding? To my little sofa in the kitchen? I don’t want to start married life in these conditions.’
‘No, son, you’re wrong there,’ the old woman said, shaking her head. ‘The strongest families are the ones that start from nothing together. The people who go through early troubles side by side learn how to share their last bit of bread. When everything is prepared for you and wealth falls on your head, feelings soon fade away.’
‘So you think we should try?’ Alfie asked hopefully.
‘Of course! And you can live with me. We shall fit if we squeeze a little. My flat isn’t big, but it’s cosy. The only thing that matters is that Imogen doesn’t mind living with an old woman.’
When Imogen heard the suggestion, she agreed happily. She was not afraid of difficulties and she sincerely respected Marjorie.
Soon they celebrated a very modest but wonderfully warm wedding, surrounded by their closest friends and Alfie’s parents, who came up from the village. Marjorie sat in the seat of honour.
A year later, the young couple had their first child, a healthy little boy. Life in the flat took on new colour.
Marjorie was over the moon. She could sit for hours by the cot, singing lullabies and rocking the baby in her arms, while Imogen cooked in the kitchen or did the washing.
The young mother was deeply grateful for the old lady’s help. She did everything she could to make sure Marjorie never went without. She cooked her favourite meals and always bought fresh fruit.
The flat was filled with true family warmth, peace and the sound of a child’s laughter. The neighbours often said that Marjorie had been wonderfully lucky in old age to find such a family.
But one autumn day, that peace was shattered by an unexpected visitor. Without any warning, without even a phone call, somebody rang the doorbell. It was Marjorie’s daughter, Poppy.
Poppy had not visited for years. She had not even wished her mother a happy birthday, merely sending the occasional text. Seeing strangers in the flat, baby things and a pram in the hallway, she could barely contain her annoyance. But she managed to force a smile.
‘Oh, Mum, hello!’ she said loudly, walking into the room without taking off her shoes. ‘What have you got here, a hostel? Who are all these people?’
Marjorie was a little flustered, but answered calmly: ‘This is Alfie, his wife Imogen, and my little great-grandson. They’ve been living with me for four years now. They help me with everything. Without them, I don’t think I’d be able to get up at all.’
Poppy looked at the young couple with disdain but said nothing. All evening she tried to seem extraordinarily affectionate, attentive and caring towards her mother, but it looked completely unnatural.
‘Mum, I’ve been thinking all week, and I haven’t been sleeping at night,’ Poppy began, sitting down close to Marjorie. ‘My heart aches to see you here, alone, in this cramped place, with strangers. Come and live with me. We have a large house. You’ll be under my personal care, warm, with everything done for you. You deserve some peace at your age.’
Marjorie was very uncertain. On one hand, her own daughter was sitting in front of her and had finally shown concern and affection. A mother’s heart always wants to believe in her children, forgiving all the old hurts.
On the other hand, there was her new, proved family, which over those years had become closer than any blood relatives. But the persistent, sweet words of her daughter melted the ice inside the old woman, and in the end she agreed to move.
The packing began at once. Poppy hurried her mother, helping to pack the most necessary belongings into large suitcases.
Marjorie went to Alfie and Imogen, who were sitting sadly in the kitchen.
‘My dears, don’t be upset with me,’ she said quietly, touching Alfie’s shoulder. ‘My daughter is asking me to go, and I should try to make peace with her. You stay here. Live in the flat free of charge for a whole year, save your money, find yourselves a good place somewhere. Life will show where it leads us next.’
Alfie and Imogen could hardly hold back their tears. They felt a dark sense of dread, yet they had no right to argue against the wishes of the old woman and her daughter.
When all the suitcases were ready and standing in the hall, Marjorie remembered that she wanted to run down to Edith on the floor below. She wanted to say goodbye in person, return an old book and thank her neighbour for years of friendship.
The moment the heavy front door closed behind Marjorie, all Poppy’s sweetness disappeared like fog. She spun round on her heels and fixed the young parents with a contemptuous stare.
‘Right then, dear people,’ she said roughly, folding her arms. ‘I want the two of you out of here by tomorrow morning. Pack your things and clear off.’
Alfie was speechless for a moment, but quickly recovered. ‘Listen, Marjorie only just told us we could stay here for a year. We have a small child. We need time to find somewhere to rent and move our things.’
‘My mother is old and hardly knows what she’s saying!’ Poppy snapped. ‘And you’re a pair of cunning little parasites, taking advantage of her. What year? I’ve already found buyers for this flat. They’re coming tomorrow morning to view it, and I need the place empty and clean. So get out now.’
Imogen, holding the baby tightly, asked quietly, trying to keep her voice steady: ‘Where are we supposed to go with a small child in the middle of a cold autumn? We have nowhere to go right now. Please understand that.’
‘That is none of my concern and I don’t care in the slightest,’ Poppy answered sharply. ‘That’s your problem. You should have thought about it before you lived here for three years on somebody else’s food and money.’
‘You don’t seem to care about your own mother either,’ Imogen burst out, lifting her chin. ‘You’re taking her away like an unwanted bundle, only so that you can sell her only flat and take the money. And what will happen to her once the papers are signed? Where will you put her then?’
‘That’s none of your business, girl!’ Poppy almost screamed. ‘I’ll do what I like with my mother and her property. You’re nobody here.’
‘I’m going to tell Marjorie all about this, right now, downstairs,’ Alfie said firmly, taking a step towards the door. ‘She deserves to know what you are really planning to do with her and her home. She doesn’t deserve treatment like that from her own child.’
‘And who is going to believe you, eh?’ Poppy laughed spitefully. ‘Her own loving daughter, or a couple of complete strangers who lived in her flat for free? She will listen to me! You were just scroungers looking for an easy life. Take your bags and get out, before I call the police.’
‘Don’t talk to my wife that way, and don’t insult our family,’ Alfie said, shielding Imogen. ‘We truly helped her. We cared for her health day and night when you never even remembered she existed. We bought food with our own money, while you were asking her for money.’
‘Enough of this useless talk!’ Poppy shouted. ‘You’re nothing here. You were lodgers without a contract. You have no rights at all. Go and find yourself another trusting old woman, and sit on her neck instead. You already have the experience for it.’
Suddenly, a loud, indignant voice came from the doorway.
‘Nobody is leaving this house!’
Marjorie was standing on the threshold, trembling with fury. She had turned back because she had forgotten the warm headscarf she wanted to give Edith as a keepsake. She had opened the door with her own key and heard the whole horrible conversation from beginning to end. She was looking at her daughter with such deep sadness, pain and disappointment that Poppy felt ashamed.
‘Mum… you understood everything wrong… it’s not what you think… I was just trying to—’ Poppy started, changing her tone at once and rushing towards her mother.
‘I understood everything, perfectly and in great detail,’ Marjorie answered quietly but with absolute determination, pushing her daughter’s hand away. ‘Collect your things, take your bag, and get out of my house. Right now. I do not want to see you here ever again.’
‘But Mum, we agreed about the move! We have to sell the flat. We need the money!’ Poppy began, losing her self-control.
‘I am not going anywhere. Not to your house, not anywhere else,’ the old woman cut her off. ‘My only home is here. My real, loving family is here too. They will not betray me for a few square metres. Get out.’
Poppy became furious. Her face twisted with rage. She snatched up her expensive handbag, screamed a few ugly words at her mother and at Alfie, and slammed the door so hard that the walls shook. Then she rushed out of the building.
Marjorie walked slowly to a chair, sank into it, covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly. Those were the tears of a mother who had finally understood that she had raised an egoist.
Imogen came over at once, sat down beside her and gently hugged her. Alfie quickly put on the kettle and poured a glass of water with a few calming drops.
‘It’s all right, Gran, please don’t cry. The most important thing is that we are together. We will never leave you,’ Imogen said softly, wiping the old woman’s tears with a tissue.
Gradually, life returned to its usual peaceful rhythm. But the stress did not pass without effect on the older woman’s health. Old age and illness began to take their toll twice as fast.
Months went by, then years. Marjorie’s health started to fail badly, with trouble in her heart and her joints. In the last year of her life she barely left her bed at all, becoming as helpless as a child.
Alfie and Imogen never once regretted their decision. They hardly left her side, dividing the duties between them. Alfie lifted her, helped her sit up; Imogen cooked light meals, fed her from a spoon, changed the bedding and kept everything clean.
They bought the best medicine they could find, consulted doctors, and did everything to make sure the old woman did not suffer any pain or discomfort. By then, Marjorie could barely speak, but she would always look at the two young people with deep gratitude, love and warmth in her tired eyes.
One quiet autumn morning, she did not wake up. She died peacefully in her sleep, with a gentle smile on her lips, without any pain or struggle.
Alfie, as an adult and responsible man, took upon himself all the difficult arrangements for a proper funeral. He and Imogen mourned sincerely for the woman who had become a true grandmother to them and who had given them love and a home.
Her real children, Nigel and Poppy, whom Alfie telephoned politely to tell of the sad news, did not come to the funeral. They said they were far too busy at work and could not drop everything for such an occasion.
But they appeared exactly two weeks later, when, in their opinion, the ideal time had come to sort out the property matters and divide the inheritance.
Poppy opened the flat door with her key, and she and her brother walked in as if they were the absolute owners. They did not even take off their coats.
Nigel, a heavy, middle-aged man with a blank expression, did not even bother to greet Alfie and Imogen, who were sitting in the room with the child. He went straight to the old sideboard and began rifling through the drawers, looking for the deeds, savings books or any hidden money their mother might have kept.
Poppy stood in the middle of the room, looked around the modest interior, and stared down at the young couple with superiority.
Alfie and Imogen stood quietly by the window. They understood perfectly that an unpleasant conversation was about to begin and that they would probably have to leave, because the law can be cruel to those who are not blood relatives.
‘We will leave now, don’t worry,’ Alfie said calmly, looking straight into Poppy’s eyes. ‘Just give us a little time, maybe an hour, to gather our son’s things, his toys and our documents. We are not going to stay here.’
‘You have exactly half an hour, and not a minute more,’ Poppy replied sharply, with a triumphant smile. ‘After that we call a locksmith and change all the locks on the front door. We’re the owners here, and we don’t need any extra people in the flat.’
Imogen sighed quietly, holding the little boy close. She felt deeply sorry for such human greed and cruelty.
At that very moment the front door, which the brother and sister had forgotten to close, swung open wider, and Edith Platt walked confidently into the room. In her hands she carried a large plastic folder full of official papers and stamps.
‘Good afternoon, everyone. And what is all this? Why are you giving orders in somebody else’s home?’ Edith asked loudly, looking sternly at the brother and sister.
Marjorie’s daughter turned to her with annoyance.
‘Woman, go about your own business. We have come here legally to claim our property rights. We are her relatives, her only children, the legal heirs in the first line. This flat belongs to us by law, and we are the ones who decide who may stay here following our mother’s death. The law is on our side. This is our legal right and inheritance, and nothing you say can change that simple, obvious fact that we are the lawful owners and we have the full, indisputable legal right to determine what happens to this property, and to decide who is allowed to remain in this flat, because we are her rightful heirs and we will make certain that everything is done exactly according to the law, no matter what anyone else might claim or try to suggest otherwise, because the law is clear and we are protected by it completely as her direct descendants and legal inheritors of her estate, and you have no right to interfere with our legal inheritance of this flat, which now belongs to us, her children, as the only rightful heirs at law, and we will take all legal measures necessary to protect our inheritance, since this property is rightfully ours and no one else has any legal claim to it whatsoever, for we are her next of kin and the only persons entitled by law to inherit from her, and we fully intend to exercise our rights as the lawful heirs of her estate, and we will not allow anyone, no matter who they are, to stand in our way or take what is rightfully ours by law as her only children and legal heirs, because that is the law and we are entitled to it, and we will act accordingly to assert our lawful ownership of this flat to the fullest extent of the law, as her rightful heirs and lawful successors, and we will not be deterred by anyone in our lawful claim to this property, which is ours by law and by right of inheritance, and no one can change that, no matter what they say or do, for we are the true, lawful, and only heirs of our mother’s estate, and this flat is legally ours and we shall treat it exactly as we see fit, since we are her lawful children and sole heirs and the law is fully on our side in every way, and we will not hear another word about it, because this matter is closed and the flat belongs to us, and that is that, and we will have the locks changed and we will take full possession of this property, which is ours by law, and no one will stop us, as we are her only legal heirs and rightful owners of this flat, and we have the law, the documents, and the family blood to prove it, and we will not tolerate any interference whatsoever, so please do not waste our time, for we are the true heirs and the law is with us, and we intend to take what is ours, and nothing and no one can prevent us from doing so, because we are her children, we are her heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will not be denied, no matter what anybody might think, say, or do, for we are right and we have the law on our side, and that is the final word, and no amount of talking or scheming by strangers will ever change that fact, because the law is law and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and nobody else has any right to anything here, so you may as well leave now, because this is our flat and our inheritance, and we will not give it up for anyone, and that is all there is to it, for we are the only rightful heirs, and the law is behind us, and no one can take that away from us, because this flat belongs to us, and we are the lawful owners, and we are going to make sure that everyone knows it, and we are going to exercise our rights to the fullest, because we are the heirs and this is our property, and that is that, and we will not be argued out of it, because the law is on our side, and we are the lawful heirs, and we are going to take possession of this flat, no matter what, because it is ours, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and we will not be stopped by anyone, not by you, not by them, not by anybody, because we are the heirs, and that is final, and this flat is ours, and we shall take it, and we shall keep it, and no one will ever take it from us, and we have the law, and we have the right, and we have the blood, and that is all that matters, and we will not rest until we have what is rightfully ours, because this is our inheritance, our mother’s flat, and now it is ours, and we are the lawful heirs, and we will not let anyone stand in our way, not for one single moment, because we are the heirs, and we have the law, and the law is on our side, and that is the whole truth, and no one can change it, and we will not change it, because we are the heirs, and we will inherit, and we will take possession, and we will do it all according to the law, for we are the rightful heirs and there is no other family, and we will not be denied, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful owners, and that is that, and there is nothing more to be said, and we will not say another word, because words are not needed, for the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, because we are the lawful heirs, and we are entitled to it, and we will not be stopped by anybody, because this is our inheritance, and we are her children, and we have the law, and the law is with us, and that is all that matters, and we will not be dissuaded, and we will not be moved, and we will not be stopped, because we are the lawful heirs and the flat is ours, and that is the end of it, because we are her children, there is no other family, the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and we will inherit, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, and nobody will change that, because the law is the law, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat belongs to us, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is exactly what we will do, because we are the heirs, and we are entitled to this property, and no one, not you, not anybody, has the right to stop us, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and we will not hear another word, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and we are going to take possession of this flat, and we are going to do it now, and nobody will stand in our way, because we are the heirs, and we are the rightful owners, and we will not be stopped, and that is that, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because we are her children and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and that is final, and we will not be moved, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be silenced, because we are the lawful heirs, and we are entitled to this property, and we will have it, no matter what, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will do so according to the law, and we will not let anybody stand in our way, because we are her children, and we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and that is all that matters, and we will not be denied, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat belongs to us, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, and nothing more will be said, and we will not hear another word, because we are the heirs and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and that is that, and no one can change it, and we will not change it, and we will not be stopped, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and that is all there is to it, and we will not hear another word, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and nothing and no one will stop us, because we are the heirs, and we are entitled to it, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, and no amount of talking will change it, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and that is that, and we are going to take possession of this flat, and we are going to do it now, and we will not be stopped, because we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is the end of the matter, because we are her children, and we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, because this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and we are entitled to this property, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and nobody will stop us, because we are her children and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be argued out of it, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will do so according to the law, and no one, not you, not them, not anybody, will stand in our way, because we are her children, and we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and that is all that matters, and we will not be moved, because this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is that, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs and the law is with us, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because we are her children and there is no other family, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and we will not be stopped, because this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and that is the whole truth, and we will not hear another word about it, because we are the lawful heirs, and we are entitled to this property, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will have it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, because this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are the rightful heirs and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take possession of it, and we will do so now, and we will not be denied, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is the end of it, because we are the rightful heirs, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we will have it, and nobody will stop us, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be argued out of it, because we are her children, and we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs and we are entitled to this property, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and no one will ever take it from us, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no amount of talking will change it, because we are her children and there is no other family, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is that, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and nobody will stop us, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is that, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be moved, because we are the lawful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and no one will stop us, because we are her children and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will do so according to the law, and we will not be denied, because we are her children, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and that is all there is to it, and we will not hear another word, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and nobody will stop us, because we are her children, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be argued out of it, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and we will keep it, and no one will stop us, because we are her children, and we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and we will not be denied, and we will not be argued out of it, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and nobody will ever take it from us, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is clear, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, because the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is on our side, and we are the lawful heirs, and there is no other family, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be moved, because this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is the end of it, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and there is no other family, and that is all there is to it, and we will not hear another word, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and no one will stop us, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, because the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more can be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will do so according to the law, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is the end of it, because we are her children and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the lawful heirs, and there is no other family, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be argued out of it, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be moved, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is clear, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is the end of it, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and nobody will ever take it from us, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more will be said, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be moved, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more can be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, because the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is the end of it, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and there is no other family, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be moved, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more can be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because the law is clear, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and no one will stop us, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children and the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and there is no other family, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and there is no other family, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and nobody will stop us, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because the law is clear, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is the end of it, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we will not be denied, and we will not be stopped, and we will not be moved, because we are her children, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and there is no other family, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and nobody will stop us, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because the law is clear, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and there is no other family, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, because the law is clear, and there is no other family, and we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, because the law is clear, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are the rightful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is the end of it, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because the law is clear, and we are the rightful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the heirs, and the law is with us, and there is no other family, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, because the law is clear, and we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because we are the heirs, and the law is on our side, and this flat is ours, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will have it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more can be said, because the law is with us, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is final, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is with us, and we are the lawful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more will be said, because the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children, and the law is clear, and there is no other family, and the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and no one can change it, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is with us, and this is our inheritance, and we will take it, and we will keep it, and that is all there is to it, and nothing more needs to be said, because the law is on our side, and we are the heirs, and this flat is our lawful inheritance, and we will take it, and we will not be denied, and we will not be moved, and we will not be silenced, because we are her children, and there is no other family, and the law is with us, and we are the rightful heirs, and this flat is ours, and we will have it, and that is final, and nothing more can be said, because the law is clear, and we are the lawful heirs, and the law is on our side, and this is our inheritance, and we will take possession of it, and we will not be stopped, because we are her children’ — but before Poppy could finish, Edith Platt laid a document on the table and said: ‘There. Read it carefully. It is a legally binding care agreement, signed in front of a solicitor, with witnesses. Alfie has fulfilled every condition: he cared for Marjorie, paid for her food and medicine, looked after her to the end and gave her a proper funeral. The flat is his. You are nothing but strangers here.’ The brother and sister read the document in stunned silence, then left without another word.
Edith smiled, patted Alfie on the shoulder and said, ‘Justice has been done, son. You earned this place with your kindness and your honest heart. Live well, raise your little boy, and may this home always be full of love.’ Alfie and Imogen thanked her with tears in their eyes. They knew Marjorie was watching them from above, glad that her flat had passed to people who had truly loved her. The story spread quickly around the whole estate, and it reminded everyone that a real family is not always the one written in your passport. It is the one that comes when you need them, and never leaves when you are old. Those who forget their own mother in search of money will always end up with nothing.
