Her Husband Wondered Why Emily Couldn’t Stand Their Neighbour, But When He Discovered the Reason, He Was Shocked…

I am utterly weary of hearing her tales about her relatives! I recall complaining.
Shes our neighbour, cant you just listen for a bit? my husband asked.
She repeats herself each time, I replied, exasperated.

Eleanor is a remarkably patient and composed womanor so I was, except when it came to our neighbour, Margaret. My husband never could see why Margarets visits wound me up so. Once, wed been close as families. Margaret was fifteen years older than me and, after her parents passed away, she and her two sisters began to share the old family house. At first, it seemed things would be smooth. The sisters planned to sell their childhood home and split the proceeds three ways. But as with so many things, things became complicated.

I never knew the finer details but had heard whispers from my grandmother. Margaret, apparently, had pleaded to remain in the house, explaining shed fallen on hard times, and promised to repay the others when she could. Her sisters agreed, relinquishing their inheritance formally. What happened after that, I cant say for certain, but Ive long suspected Margaret never did pay them back.

Margaret would often visit me to air her grievances about her sisters. Theyve completely forgotten me, Eleanor. Never a phone call, never a letter, not even a word. They care for nothing but their share of the money.

Well, of courseshe had sworn shed return their part! Yet, in her recounting, it was always that everyone else was cruel and selfish, and she alone was the aggrieved one. Just yesterday, I nearly rang them myself, shed say, I can barely manage the upkeep of this houseshouldnt they help? Surely it isnt just my burden. Its as much their family home as mine.

But, Margaret, I thought theyd agreed to
And what if they did? shed interject. This house is still theirs by right! They grew up here too, their father made this their home. Dont they care at all?

I suppose they must feel rather hurt since you promised them their share and havent managed to pay yet, I would venture.
In the first place, she would begin, her tone clipped, the agreement was their idea, I was hardly given a choice. In the second, I said Id return their share when I was able, and Im still not able. It would be a crying shame to sell our home only for their money. And where would I go? Clearly, not a soul gives a whit about metheyre all after the pound and nothing else.

I remember glancing at my husband, who simply sat there quietly. The look in his eyes told me he finally understoodhed never again wonder why I was less than pleased whenever Margaret came to call.