Did you buy a house on a mortgage? Charlotte exclaimed in delight. Oh, darling, thats simply wonderful! Absolutely smashing!
From the other end of the line, Alice burst into laughter, and Charlotte could faintly hear her son-in-law muttering something in the background.
Mum, honestly, not so loud the neighbours will hear!
Let them listen in! Charlotte chuckled. So, when are we invited over to have a peek? Today? Tomorrow? Ill bake that apple pie Oliver loves you know, the one with the stripey top.
Alice paused for a moment.
Make it Saturday, Mum. Well have the furniture sorted by then.
On Saturday, Charlotte stood in the middle of the bright living room, slowly spinning around as she admired the high ceilings, broad windows, and the scent of fresh plaster. The new build smelled of fresh paint and just a hint of timber.
Can you believe how massive the kitchen is? Alice led her mother down the corridor. And theres even a balcony all glassed in. You can park the buggy out there when the time comes.
Its gorgeous, Charlotte brushed her palm along a wall. Oliver, youve done a cracking job!
Oliver only shrugged.
Doing our best, Mrs. White.
Over lunch, Charlotte helped herself to a second slice of pie before finally saying what had been pressing on her mind since morning.
I was so worried about you both, I cant even tell you. Alice, seven months along and youre still in a rented flat! With a landlady who could chuck you out on a Mondays notice bonkers!
Alice exchanged a look with Oliver. Charlotte noticed her daughters lips purse slightly.
Mum, we managed.
Managed, Charlotte set her fork aside. Well, I had sleepless nights, you know! Kept thinking what if something went wrong. A child needs stability, a roof of their own.
Oliver coughed and nudged his plate away.
The payments are a bit steep, mind. But weve done our sums.
Steep, you say? Charlotte raised her brow.
Normal, Alice jumped in. For London, its about average.
Charlotte looked from her daughters tense shoulders to the way Oliver was tracing patterns on the tablecloth. She knew they were both nervous, not that either would ever admit it.
Right, now listen here Charlotte fixed them both with a stern stare Ill be helping out, no arguments. And Oliver, your parents will chip in too?
Mum promised to help as much as they can each month, Oliver nodded.
See! Charlotte leaned back triumphantly. Youll manage. And together, not on your own, thank you very much.
Alice flashed a smile, but the worry didnt quite leave her eyes.
Archie arrived that March a solid, bellowing, rosy-cheeked boy. Charlotte visited every week, simmering casseroles, washing babygrows, and taking her grandson out in the gleaming new pram around the estate.
Life settled into its groove. Oliver landed a promotion, and Alice began talking about another little one.
Two years later, Daisy was born, and the flat was once again filled with squealing, scattered toys, and the wild-eyed look of parents getting no sleep. Charlotte gazed at her radiant daughter and thought, for a moment, that everything had finally clicked into place.
Then, Oliver was made redundant.
Charlotte didnt find out straight away. Alice deflected questions, claiming it was all fine, just tired, thats all. The truth came out by accident, when Charlotte dropped round unannounced and found Alice in tears, papers piled around her.
We arent coping, Mum, Alice whispered. Three months in arrears. The bank rings, every day.
Charlotte did what she could rattled round the family, asked among friends but it was never enough. Olivers folks were barely scraping by themselves after his Dad ended up in hospital.
Six months on, the bank repossessed the flat.
Charlotte sat in her friend Rebeccas kitchen, staring into her untouched tea.
Theyre all crammed into a studio now, Charlotte clutched her mug. Two kids, Becky! Archies four, Daisys barely two. No room for them to run, theyre practically piled on top of each other. Four of them in a single room!
Rebecca shook her head.
Oh, Charlotte, its dreadful!
I told them theyd manage, didnt I? Charlotte dabbed at her eyes. I promised wed help. But what am I now? State pensions a pittance, odd jobs here and there. It was me who convinced them everything would work out!
You couldnt possibly have known, love, Rebecca murmured.
That doesnt make it any easier, does it? Charlotte shoved her mug away. Doesnt help them. Or Alice.
Charlotte buried her face in her hands. Shed thought her daughters life was sorted. Now it was worse than ever. Before, it was just them two in a rented place. Now it was four, and still no security.
Time passed.
Alice and Oliver finally cleared their debts to the bank, which was about the best news anyone had heard all year.
So what now? Charlotte asked.
Saving up for our own place. Alice confessed. Something a bit smaller this time.
Well, as long as it’s your own, Charlotte nodded, though Alice couldnt see it thats what matters.
Two years went by. Archie turned six, and Charlotte brought an enormous box for his birthday. Shed spent hours in the toy shop to find the right construction set the one with the little cars and the garage hed been dreaming about since Christmas.
Gran! The boy flung his arms round her, clinging with all his might. Is it really for me?
All yours, Charlotte kissed his hair. And, here Ive got something else.
She handed Archie an envelope. He slipped it open and his eyes went as wide as saucers.
How much is this?
Two hundred pounds, Charlotte hunkered down beside him. You wanted a new phone, didnt you? Now youve got a start for your piggy bank. Gran will help you top it up.
Archie hugged the envelope and scampered off to show Daisy and his new cars. Alice watched quietly from the kitchen doorway, but Charlotte didnt notice the look on her face.
Two weeks later, Charlotte rang her grandsons mobile. Archie picked up on the third ring.
Hello? Gran?
Hello, lovely! How are you doing?
Brilliant! Archie shouted excitedly. Ive got new clothes for summer shorts, T-shirts, trainers that blink!
Charlottes eyebrows knitted together.
New clothes? Where did Mum and Dad get the money, then?
Mum took the money you gave me, Archie answered cheerfully. She said well get the phone later, but the clothes were more important.
Charlotte froze, phone still pressed to her ear, heat building in her chest.
Could you put your mum on, sweetheart?
Shes busy!
Alright then, darling. Speak soon.
Charlotte ended the call and sat in silence for ten whole minutes. It looked like shed have to have words with her daughter. Again.
Next morning, Charlotte marched over to Alices.
How could you? Charlotte spluttered. I gave that money to Archie! It was for him, not for you!
Alice sighed, eyes shuttered with tiredness.
Calm down, Mum.
Dont tell me to calm down! The boy was saving up for a phone! I gave him money specifically to save up! And you spent it all!
Alices face set like stone.
Mum, I did what I had to.
What you had to? Charlotte gaped. Spent someone elses money on shorts?
He needed summer clothes, Alice replied, heartbreakingly calm. We just didnt have any spare cash.
You couldnt have rung me? Asked?
No, Mum, Alice shook her head. Ill handle my household my way, and thats not your business anymore.
Not my business? Charlottes voice shot up Ive seen how you two manage money! Lost the flat, couldnt keep up with the mortgage you know youre hopeless!
Alice paled but said nothing.
And now youre taking money off your own child! Charlotte couldnt stop. Shameful! Utterly shameful!
Please, Mum, just go, Alice whispered. Please leave.
Charlotte spun on her heel and swept straight out of the flat. She was boiling. Her daughter had done wrong and then thrown her out for it! Well, Alice would come crawling back, eventually. Shed come begging for forgiveness!
But the weeks slipped by, and Alice didnt ring. She ignored every message.
Charlotte sat once again in Rebeccas kitchen, twisting a paper napkin between her fingers.
Shes cut me off, Charlotte shook her head. My own daughter! Wont let me see the kids, wont pick up my calls.
Rebecca poured more tea.
What exactly did you say to her?
I told her the truth! Charlotte puffed up. They cant manage to save, theyre hopeless! Am I wrong?
Rebecca watched the street outside for a moment.
Charlotte, when you gave Archie that money, did you give it as a gift?
Of course I did.
Well, once its a gift, its theirs to spend, isnt it?
But it was for a phone!
And they used it for clothes, Rebecca said serenely. Kids need kitting out for summer more than a gadget, dont they?
Charlotte started to object, but Rebecca raised her palm.
And maybe, just maybe, you didnt need to bring up the mortgage. They paid it for years, worked their socks off, raised two kids through it all, and you called them hopeless.
I meant well, Charlotte wilted. I worry about them, dont I?
Well, you do, Rebecca patted her hand. But sometimes, worrying comes out all wrong. Maybe you could ring first? Say sorry?
Charlotte pursed her lips and looked away stubbornly. She was the elder, after all, and only ever meant for the best.
