THINK I OVERREACTED? — “Who even needs you, you old bat? You’re nothing but a burden. Stinking up th…

THINK NOTHING OF IT, SHE JUST LOST HER TEMPER

Who even wants you around, you old bat? Youre just a burden on everyone. Shuffling about, making the place smell. If it were up to me, Id get rid of you, but as it is, we all have to put up with you. I cant stand you!

I nearly choked on my tea. Id just been chatting with my granny, Dorothy Collins, over a video call. Shed gone off for a moment

Just wait there, darling, Ill be right back, shed said, hoisting herself out of her armchair with a sigh before padding away into the hall.

Her mobile was left on the table, camera and mic still on. I switched my attention to my laptop. And then this happened. The voice came, carrying through from the hallway.

At first, I thought I was imagining things. I probably wouldve convinced myself it was all in my headexcept I glanced at the phone. I heard the door, the sound of someone coming in. On the screen, a pair of unfamiliar hands, then a glimpse of a side profile, and finallya face.

Emma. My brothers wife. Of coursethe voice was hers.

She went over to Grannys bed, lifted up the pillow, then rummaged beneath the mattress. Muttering all the while.

Just sitting there, drinking tea Would be just as well if she popped off soon, honestly. Whats the point delaying the inevitable? No use to anyone, cluttering up the place and taking up space

I sat absolutely still, forgetting to breathe for a few seconds.

Emma eventually left, oblivious to the camera. A couple of minutes later, Granny came back. She smiled, but it never touched her eyes.

There we are, Im back. Oh, I never askedyoure alright at work, dear? All going well? she asked, like nothing had happened.

All I could manage was a stiff nod, my mind still stumbling over what I’d just heard. Every part of me wanted to march over and throw that impudent woman out on the spot.

Dorothy always seemed indomitable to me. She never raised her voice. There was just that teachers discipline honed over the yearsa blend of gentle firmness you’d find nowhere but in a classroom. Shed taught English literature for over forty years. The students adored hershe had a knack for getting anyone excited about Dickens or the Brontës.

When Granddad died, she didnt crumble, but the straight, proud posture was replaced by a slight stoop. She ventured out less, got sick more often. Her smile shrank. But somehow, she still found joy in life, always claiming every age had its beauty.

I always loved Granny for the sense of safety she brought. With her, no problem seemed insurmountable. Shed given her garden allotment to my cousin so he could pay for sixth form, and handed over the last of her savings so I could scrape together a deposit for my flat.

When my brother, George, complained about the cost of rent after the wedding, Granny herself had suggested he and Emma move in. Its a three-bed flat, plenty of room, and Ill have some company too. Besides, if my blood pressure shoots up or the diabetes acts up, therell be someone about.

Lets be honest, it gets lonely. And a bit of help wont go amiss for the young ones, she always said with a smile.

George was meant to keep an eye on her, and I helped her with groceries, prescriptions, and the bills. My salary allowed itand my conscience wouldnt let me stand by. Sometimes I gave her cash, sometimes sent it straight to her bank, but often, knowing how she liked to squirrel away money for a rainy day, Id just bring foodfish, beef, eggs, fruitall so Granny could eat properly.

Its for your health. Especially with your diabetes, Granny, Id tell her.

Shed thank me, but would look away, as if embarrassed to bother anyone.

Emma, Georges wife, always set my teeth on edge. Perfectly polite in words, all sugar and smiles, but her eyes were coldjudging but never warm. Still, I kept my distance. Not my business. Just asked Granny regularly if things were alright.

Alls tickety-boo, love, Dorothy would assure me. Emma cooks, keeps the place spotless. Shes young, but shell get there. Wisdom comes with time.

Now, I knew it was all polite lies. Emma was docile in public, but when no one was watching

Granny, I heard everything… What was that just now?

She froze, pretending not to hear, then looked away.

Oh, nothing, Harriet, she sighed. Emmas just tired. Things are tough for them at the moment, especially with George away at work. She gets snappy sometimes.

I studied Granny closely, seeing the new lines and the missing light in her eyes. The stubbornness remained, but so did a bone-deep weariness. And now, something newfear.

Snappy? Granny, did you actually hear what she said? Thats not just being snappy, thats

Harriet she interrupted softly. Its nothing. I can manage. She just lost her temper, thats all. Shes young and fiery, and I am old. I dont need much.

Alright. Granny. Lets not pretend. Either you tell me everything, or Im getting in the car and coming over right now. Your choice.

She fell silent for a few seconds. Then she let out a heavy sigh, shoulders sagging as she adjusted her glasses. The illusion shattered. No longer the smiling, indestructible womanjust a frail old lady.

I didnt want to tell you, she began. Youve so much on with work and your own life. Why should you be bothered with all this? I thought, give it time, it would blow over

The story was a good deal longerand dirtierthan Id guessed.

Theyd arrived with huge suitcases and a grand scheme to save for a mortgage within six months. At first, Granny was genuinely pleased. The flat came alive: footsteps in the hall, someone pottering in the kitchen, laughterawkward, but laughter. Emma played the doting granddaughter-in-law: baking scones, making tea, even taking Granny to the GP a couple of times.

Then George went off on a contract job, and everything changed.

At first she just got irritable, Granny told me. I thought it was just missing George. But soon she started helping herself to everything in the kitchen, saying you brought too much. Said she needed it more, being youngand thinking about having a baby. But mewhat do I need? Losing some weight wouldnt do me harm.

Turns out, Emmad borrowed money from Grannymoney Id given for medicationto buy herself a mini-fridge, which she installed in their room behind a locked door. Everything nice that I brought Granny ended up in there.

Needless to say, no money came back. On the contrary, Emma started hunting for Grannys secret stashes of cash, pocketing any she found.

She took my telly. Said it would ruin my eyesight, Granny said, wiping away tears with a tremulous hand. She turns the internet off sometimes too. But my friends ring me, I read the news, watch the cookery shows I feel like Im in prison sometimes.

And you never told George?

Granny shook her head.

She said if I breathe a word, shell tell everyone it was my fault she lost a baby. That I stressed her. I dont even know if she was actually pregnant. But she swore everyone would take her side, and Id be hated.

Once again, I was lost for words. I wanted to scream, to curse Emma to hell and back. Instead, I said quietly:

No-one, Granny, no-one has the right to treat you like that. Not family, not strangersno-one.

Granny burst into tears. I gently soothed her, but inside Id already decided: this would not stand.

Within half an hour, my husband and I were in the car, heading to Dorothy’s. I explained everything as we drove. He could hardly believe it, but knew me well enough to trust my judgment.

Granny answered the door right away, nervously twisting a handkerchief and avoiding eye contact.

Oh, you should have phoned! Id have put the kettle on

Were not here for tea, Granny, I said. Were here for some justice. Wheres Emma?

Shes gone out. She doesnt keep me informed Well, youd best come in, since youre here.

We followed her in. I went straight to the kitchen. The fridge was nearly empty: a couple of out-of-date milk cartons, some eggs, a jar of gherkins covered in mould. In the freezerjust ice.

I turned to my husband and he nodded. We acted quickly. Emmas bedroom was firmly shut, but the lock was cheap. He popped it off with a screwdriver.

There it wasa fridge stuffed with the very yoghurts I brought Granny a few days ago. Cheese, some artisanal sausage, even the tomatoes and cucumbers from my last shop.

I was livid but forced myself to stay calm. Together, we hid in Grannys room and waited.

Emma came home half an hour later.

Whos been in my room?! she shrieked, hands curling into fists.

I stepped into the hall.

I did.

She faltered, eyes darting about. Suddenly, she tried to bluster.

And who do you think you are, poking about in my room?

I stepped up, looking her square in the eye. She was shorter than me.

Im the granddaughter of the lady who owns this house. And who are you? Youve got ten minutes to pack. Otherwise, your things are going out the window. Clear?

Ill tell George! He wont stand for this!

Tell whoever you want. Hes not here. And if need be, Ill drag you out by your hair myself.

Emma huffed, but scampered back to her room, cramming things into a bag, cursing me under her breath. I just watched, stony faced.

Granny stood in the doorway, dabbing at her eyes with her hand.

Darling, do you have to what will the neighbours say, all this drama

Finally, I left Emma to her packing and went over to Granny, hugging her tightly.

Its not a drama, Granny. Were just taking out the rubbish.

We stayed the night and, next day, stocked up her fridge, made sure she had all her meds. When we finally left, Granny cried. I only hoped they were tears of relief, not leftover guilt or fear of being alone. I made her promiseno letting Emma back in, no matter what story she spun.

That very day, George called. He shouted so loud the phone shook in my hand.

Are you mad? Emmas in tears! Wheres she meant to go now? You think you can do anything you like just because youve got a bit of money?

I hung up. Later, I sent a voice note:

You ought to look into it before you go defending her. Your Emma was starving your own grandmother, making her life hell. Remember, Granny once gave you her last penny. If you and Emma even think about turning up, youll both regret it.

Never heard back from George. Didn’t need to.

Emma found herself a sofa to crash on somewhere. Soon, her social media was covered in posts about toxic in-laws and two-faced family. George liked every one. That was the last I heard from either of them.

Dorothys home became peaceful againif a bit quiet. A couple of weeks on, Granny asked me to show her how to watch telly on her mobile. We started with old BBC dramas, then moved on to comedies. Sometimes, we watched together.

I havent laughed like that in ages, Granny confessed one evening. My cheeks ache from all the grinning!

I smiled. At last, I felt at peace. Once, shed looked after me. Now it was my turn.