Rolling in Cash, Aren’t You? My Sister-in-Law Borrowed Money for a Mortgage Deposit—Then Spent It Al…

You must be absolutely raking it in, arent you? My sister-in-law borrowed a wad of cash and then toddled off to Brighton for a seaside getaway.

This summer, my wifes darling little sister popped round to see us. Among the family, Ive always joked shes the pet project, because at every family do, its all anyone ever bangs on aboutshe was the golden child at school, sailed through uni, landed a proper job in her field truly the textbook daughter, if ever there was one.

Meanwhile, the eldestmy wife, that isdidnt even bother finishing her degree and snuck off to get married. Not that anyone much cared about her lack of academic glory, mind you, as I’d done pretty well for myself: the business ticking over, owned my own two-bed in London, a reasonably snazzy car, and enough income to put me firmly in the comfortable bracket. Still, didnt mattermum and dads hearts belonged to Little Miss Perfect.

So, this summer, the star pupil sister-in-law appeared on our doorstep asking for a loan. She wanted to put down a deposit for a flat, but her piggy bank was running on empty. For me, it wasnt a huge askI didnt bat an eyelid and handed over the money. She swore blind shed pay me back each month, and after all, she worked for the Council, so what could possibly go wrong?

A week later, I hear shes upped sticks to the coast for a cheeky holiday. Ill admit, that raised my eyebrows more than a littleI didnt realise couldnt-get-a-mortgage-together now meant off for ice cream on the pier.

She explained to the family shed scrimped and saved all year for the trip. The really interesting bit? She still hadnt bought the flat. I asked her about it; she said shed had a change of heart.

So, naturally, I asked she repay the loan. Thats when she announced all the cash had gone on chips and suntan lotion at the seaside. That was the moment it hit mebuying a flat was never in her plans.

I kindly, though rather firmly, requested she make good on her debtafter all, I handed her the money for a home, not a paddle in the English Channel. Her response was a classic:
Im going to be earning loads, you know cant you just wait a bit longer? Theres nothing left at the moment.

Well, you can guess how this ended, cant you? She promptly went running to mother-in-law claiming I was menacing her for money before the ink on the loan was dry, and sputtered about family solidarity. Naturally, overnight, she returns to her status as the family saint, while we get cast as the grasping, minted villains. Brilliant.