While were selling the flat, you can stay in a care home for a while, said her daughter.
Margaret had married very late in life. For a long time, she was unlucky in love, and as a woman of forty, she had all but given up hope of meeting, in her eyes, a decent man.
But forty-five-year-old Edward wasnt exactly Prince Charming. Hed been married several times and had three children, all of whom, as the court suggested, hed left his previous flat to.
So, after a couple of months of moving from one rented place to another, Margaret had no choice but to bring her husband to her sixty-year-old mother, Mary Thompson.
The moment Edward stepped inside, he pulled a face, wrinkling his nose and making it plain how much the smell bothered him.
Smells musty in here, he muttered with open distaste. Could do with some fresh air.
Mary heard her son-in-law, but acted as if she hadnt noticed.
Where are we supposed to stay? sighed Edward heavily, clearly displeased with their new living arrangements.
Margaret immediately began bustling about, eager to please her husband, and took her mother aside.
Mum, Edward and I will need your room, she whispered, so youll have to stay in the small one for a bit.
That very day, Mary was shamelessly shuffled into the pokey little box room, barely fit for anyone. No one offered to help her shift her things Edward outright refused.
From then on, life became hard for Mary. Edward was dissatisfied with everything: the food, the cleaning, the wallpaper colour.
But what got to him most was the smell. He insisted that the flat reeked of old age, even claiming it gave him allergies.
Whenever Margaret came home, Edward would put on a show of coughing and spluttering dramatically.
This is impossible! Something must be done! Edward barked at Margaret.
We havent got the money for another place, she said, hands thrown up in desperation.
Send your mother somewhere, Edward groaned, wrinkling his nose. I cant breathe in here.
How can I just send her off?
I dont know, make something up! This place is a lost cause anyway. We need to sell it and buy somewhere decent, he grumbled. Yes, thats the answer! Talk to your mother!
What do I even say to her? Margaret asked anxiously.
Think of something! Itll come to you eventually anyway itll be yours when she passes. Were just speeding things up, Edward replied coldly.
That doesnt seem right
Who matters most to you? Her or me? I took you in at forty, youd have been a spinster otherwise. If I leave, youll be alone again and good luck finding anyone else willing, he pressed, knowing which buttons to push.
Margaret shot her husband a resentful glance, then made her way to her mother, now sitting surrounded by her boxes.
Mum, you must hate living like this, Margaret began gently.
Are you giving me my room back? Mary asked, hope flickering in her eyes.
No, its something else. You were going to leave me the flat anyway, werent you? Margaret asked hopefully.
Of course.
Well, why wait? I want to sell the flat and move into somewhere nice.
Couldnt we just fix this place up?
No, we should aim higher.
And where do I go, love? Marys lip trembled.
Well, just for now, why dont you stay in a care home? Margaret announced, as if it were good news. Its only for the time being. Well fetch you back as soon as weve sorted everything.
Really? Mary looked hopefully at her daughter.
Of course, Mum. Well get it all sorted, do up the new place and then youll come home, Margaret replied, taking her mothers hand.
With little choice, Mary believed her and signed the flat over.
Once the paperwork was done, Edward rubbed his hands together with glee. Pack her things, were taking her to the home.
So soon? Margaret faltered, guilt gnawing at her.
Why wait? We dont even need her pension. Shes more trouble than shes worth. Shes lived her life let us live ours, Edward said briskly.
But we havent sold the place yet?
Just get it done. Or youll be on your own, he threatened.
Within two days, Marys belongings, and Mary herself, were loaded into the car and taken to the care home.
As they drove, Mary quietly wiped away tears the daughter didnt notice. Her heart knew something wasnt right.
Edward didnt go he claimed the flat needed to be aired out.
Mary was quickly registered at the home, and Margaret left in a rush, unable to look her mother in the eye.
You will come and get me, wont you? Mary asked hopefully as they said goodbye.
Of course, Mum, Margaret replied, looking away.
She knew Edward would never allow Mary back.
Having obtained what wasnt truly theirs, Margaret and Edward quickly sold the flat and bought a new one.
Edward insisted the new property be in his name, saying Margaret couldnt be trusted.
A few months later, Margaret tried to talk about her mother, but Edward reacted with hostility.
Mention her again and Ill throw you out, Edward snapped.
Wary, Margaret held her tongue. She never brought up her mother again.
A few times she considered visiting the care home, but each time, picturing her mothers tearful face, lost her resolve.
For five years, Mary waited every day, hoping Margaret would come back for her.
But Margaret never came. Weakened by the loneliness, Mary passed away quietly.
Margaret only heard a year later, after Edward evicted her from his flat and she remembered her mother.
The guilt became too much to bear, and she left to seek solace in a quiet convent, hoping for forgiveness for what she had done.
In life, we must never trade love and loyalty for personal gain for such choices weigh on the soul far more than any hardship ever could.
