Sweetheart, You’ve Got Problems – This Flat Isn’t Yours, Little Sister.

Oh, you think *you’ve* got problems, sis? That flat isnt yours.

My mums sister never had kids, but she had this gorgeous three-bedroom place right in the heart of London and some serious health issues. Her husband was a collector, so her place felt more like a museum.

My younger sister, Emma, has a lazy husband and two kids. Theyve been crammed into a tiny rented room in student digs. When Emma heard about our aunts health problems, she rushed over straight away to moan about her own miserable life.

Now, Ive got to be honestour aunt is a right piece of work. She doesnt mince her words and can give someone a proper telling-off. For years, shed invite me and my husband over (wanted us to move in) and promised shed leave us the flat.

We had our own place, so we turned down that *generous* offer. We still drop off groceries and meds for her now and then, and I tidy up her house. We do it out of duty, not because were eyeing up her square footage. But after that visit, Emma and her family moved in with our aunt within days.

Emma and I never got along. Shes always been jealousIve got a hardworking, loving husband, a brilliant son, a good job, decent pay, and my own home. She only ever called me when she needed to borrow money.

Problem is, shes got a terrible memorynever paid a penny back. After I got pregnant with my second, I didnt have time for our aunt, though my husband still brought her the odd care package. When my baby was six months old, I went to see her. As I reached the door, I heard shoutingmy sister screaming:

“Youre not getting *any* food until you sign that deed, so turn around and crawl back inside. And dont even think about leaving the doghouse tonight!”

I rang the bell. When Emma saw me, she refused to let me in and went off on one: “Dont even dream about setting foot in herethis flats *mine*!”

I only got in after threatening to call the police. Our aunt looked like shed aged ten years since I last saw her. When she spotted me, she burst into tears.

“Why are you crying? Go on, tell her how *wonderful* living with us is, and tell her to sod off! Look, she couldnt even be bothered to bring the baby,” Emma shrieked.

Our aunts room had been stripped barejust a bed left. Even her wardrobe was gone, her stuff piled on the floor. All the collectibles were gone, and she wasnt wearing her fancy jewellery anymore. It was obviousEmma and her husband were living off whatever they could flog from our aunts things.

I said I needed the loo and texted my husband: *We need to get her out. She cant stay with Emma.* Back in the room, I chatted away about my year, my babythen squeezed her hand and winked. She got it straight away and gave me this grateful look.

Emma kept trying to shove me out, and her husband kept popping in, nagging, “Arent you staying too long? Your kid must miss you.”

My husband turned up an hour laterwith a bobby in tow. Emma took her sweet time opening the door. I just said, “Oh, thatll be my husband.”

Honestly, the copper was a nasty shock for Emma and her layabout husband. I brought him in and said, “Heres your victim. I *heard* them starving her. Theyve sold off all her furniture, gold, everything. Her late husband was a collectorthis place was full of valuables.”

While Emma wailed, the officer asked our aunt, “Do you want to press charges?”

Emma got off lightly, but her husband got two years inside. Mum took her and the kids in, even though shed kicked her out years ago. Mum was furious with me over the police and swore Id get nothing when she diedbut as thanks for saving her, our aunt left me the flat.

Now, my husband and I visit her like before, and weve hired a carer. I cant even imagine what she went through living with *her*!