Don’t Forget You’ve Lived in My Flat Your Whole Life – Are You Starting Again? Will You Hold This Over Me Forever?

Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.

Here we go again. Will you hold this over me forever?

Margaret and Edward had been married for ten years.

Margaret had a mother and a stepfather, William, who had raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, Thomas, wasnt Williams own eitheronly her sister, Emily, was his by blood. Yet he never treated them any differently.

When Margaret married and moved in with her husband, Emily was just eight. Edward had taken to William right away, which was no surprise. William could talk to anyonechildren, strangers, even the lads down the pubas if they were equals. He found common ground with everyone.

Edward couldnt fault his mother-in-law either, but with William, hed formed an instant bond, soon calling him *Dad*. His own father was long gone, and his mother, after falling ill, had moved in with his grandmother and never returned. Shed left the house to him.

Margaret and Edward had renovated it to their taste, with William helping. Margarets mother had grumbledhow could her daughter leave the city for a village?

*Mum, its a proper town. There are even blocks of flats in the centre.*

*Youre in a cottage in the countryside. That makes it a village.*

Ten years passed. The couple now had two childrena son and a daughter. Thomas, after finishing school, had stayed in the city, far from home. Emily had married, but with no place of their own, they rentedpaid for by her parents.

*Let them stay with us,* William said to his wife.

*I dont mind, but we need to talk.*

*About what?*

*Why did you change jobs?*

*Weve been over this. The children earn their own keep now. Two jobs were too much after my illnessits worse now. Expenses are lighter.*

*Emily needs a flat.*

*She has a husband.*

*Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.*

*There you go again. Will you never let this go?*

*Choose! Youll work to buy our daughter a flat!*

*What choice is there? Work or what?*

*Or leave.*

*I cant work like thatyou know that.*

*Then Ill file for divorce. Go. Youve still got that house.*

*That house? Have you seen it? What state its in after all these years?*

*I dont care. You never wanted to sell it.*

Silently, William packed the barest essentials.

*Take it all, or Ill throw the rest out.*

*Weve lived most of our lives. Youll retire next year. Im sixty-three.*

*Shouldve found someone younger. I only married you back then because no one else would take a woman with two children. They were baggage.*

*The children? Ill go. Ill collect the rest in a week. Bear with me*

*Mum, wheres Dad?*

*You know hes not your father.*

*What difference does that make? Hes the only father Ive got.*

*Weve separated. Emily and her husband are moving into my flat.*

*What? Wheres Dad?*

*Back in his village.*

*And Emily agreed to send him there, weak as he is? How could you?*

*Why do you care so much?*

*Its heartless. Does Thomas know?*

*Why tell him? Hes far away. Why are you here?*

*Just visiting. Were off on holiday tomorrow, then stopping by Thomassits on the way.*

*What do you want from me? I need money for repairsyour sisters pregnant, theyre moving in soon. Dont expect anything. Brought the children? I wont babysit.*

*We dont need anything. Weve got money, the kids are coming with us. Thats not why we came. When were you going to tell us about the divorce?*

*Why should you care? Hes only Emilys real father.*

*When he loved and provided for us, he was familynow hes a stranger? Thats not right, Mum*

*Dont you dare judge me! I did my best for you!*

Edward stepped back inside. Hed left when Margarets argument with her mother started, once he realised William was gonefor good. Hed barely managed to reach him. William never carried his phone, leaving it at home, but by luck, he answered.

*Of course its not my place to judge. Hes the one who did right by us. Time will tell.*

*Margaret, lets go,* Edward took her hand. *Ive found out everything. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandads.*

*Found out? Lets go.*

*I did. Had to press himhe didnt want to say.*

*Well done. I never knew the address. They never told us, and we never visited.*

William met them by the old house.

*Grandad, does a mean granny live here?* the grandchildren asked cheerfully.

*No. She stayed in the city.*

Margaret and Edward laughed. The joke landed, though Williams mood was grim. He was glad to see them but couldnt hide the strain.

*Why did you come?*

*How can you live here?! We came to sort things out. Why didnt you tell us?*

*No need to trouble you. Your mother made herself clear. I understood.*

*I understood her too. How will you manage here? Its summer nowwhat about winter? Did you bring everything?*

*All Ive got. The place is barejust old crockery. But Ill manage. If this is how it is, so be it.*

*No, it isnt. Pack your things, Dad. Youre coming home with us.*

*Yes, Dad, gather what you need. Well fetch the rest later.*

*I cant. Im not alone.*

*We see that. Weve been meaning to get a dogthe kids keep asking.*

*Someone dumped himstill a pup*

*Bring him too. Hell guard the house.*

William didnt crybut the tears came anyway.

*Dad, were leaving for ten days tomorrow. Youll mind the house. Heres your room. Theres food, a shop nearby, and weve left money. Well stop by Thomass. Just keep in touch*

*Dad, were back!* Margaret called as they stepped inside.

Edward and the children followed.

But no one answered.

Instead of William, Margarets mother appeared.

*Mum, what are you doing here?! Wheres Dad?!*

*I came to check your houseyou were away,* she said mildly. *And theres a stranger here! With a dog, no less*

*Wheres Dad?!* Edward demanded.

*Emily and her husband have moved into my flat. Ill live with you now. Its closer to town, and nicer.*

*Listenwhere is he?!*

Margaret and Edward were lost.

*How should I know?* Her mother shrugged. *Where he was before, I suppose.*

*Darling, *Mum*. Youve overstayed. Were home now, so*

*Margaret! How dare he speak to me like that?*

*Mum, its time to go. Dont bother bringing your things here.*

They found William back at the old house, lying on the sofa, the pup asleep on the rug.

*You again? Why? Im fine here. Just resting after lunch.* He sat up. *Theres plenty of room for others.*

*She wont live in my home. Even if you wont come, theres no place for her.*

*She disagrees. Freed the flat for Emily.*

*Come on. Get in the carthe kids brought you gifts. Dont forget the dog. Leave the restwell sort it later.*

*Hes waiting alreadyjumped in himself,* Edward said. *Margaret, Emilys callingyou left your phone in