Lena Sang with Joy—Who Could Blame Her!

Ellie was practically singing with happiness, can you imagine? She finally had her own flat! No more sharing with a cranky landlady whod flick the lights out at eleven oclock sharp, hover over her shoulder, and even turn the gas off while a pot was boiling away on the hob. Ellie could use her hairdryer and straightener as much as she pleased without being told she might end up electrocuted. No more being barred from taking a bathonly showers allowed, once per day. Didnt matter if it was morning or evening, Mrs. Worthington would be right outside knocking, hissing at her to keep the water down.

Shed spent a year under that womans thumb. Mrs. Worthington fancied herself some wise mentor, and as soon as Ellie turned eighteen, she begged her parents to let her move to student halls. Flat life was a challenge too: the cockroaches and bedbugs Ellie could handle, but having your frying pan nabbedcomplete with your dinnerwas another matter. And the housemates! Always bringing blokes over, it was a proper free-for-all.

After a year, her dad came to visit, took one look at the chaos, and decreed she couldnt stay a day longer. Thats how Ellie ended up renting a room from dear old Mrs. Dorothy, lovely ladybit eccentric, but kindhearted enough. For five years Ellie lived with Mrs. Dorothy, working hard and saving every penny for a deposit. She didnt waste money on trendy dresses or the latest handbags like the other girls; she worked and squirreled her money away. Even Mrs. Dorothy urged her to slow down and have some fun, but Ellie was determined. She was going to buy her own place, however tiny.

One day, her parents visited, and her dad, all nervous, explained that theyd all decided to help her outher mum, her dad, and Great-Aunt Maureen. Now, Maureen was Dads distant relation, had no family of her own, and had taught at the local primary school well into her eighties. She was a bit of a tough nut, had fallen out with most of the family, but always listened to Ellies dad. She adored Ellies mum too, whod also been a teacher. One time, when they dropped off groceries, Maureen asked Ellies dad if hed help arrange a spot for her in a retirement home. He didnt answer then, just went with mum to see the place, but they ended up instead fixing up Ellies old room at home and having Maureen stay. Ellie was in another city anyway, and Maureen, sharp as ever, told her nephew not to feel guilty: she knew full well she could be difficult and didnt want to ruin whatever good memories they had of her.

But Ellies parents wouldnt hear of her going into a care home. It settled their minds to have Maureen in the house. There were practical reasons tootheir cat and their parrot, Charlie, needed looking after when they were away, and Maureen was willing to help. She could keep an eye on things while they travelled, and theyd all save on groceries and petrol since theyd eat together more often. Besides, when Ellies dad went fishing, her mum wouldnt be bored, with Maureen around.

Maureen hesitated but eventually agreed, over the moon to not be alone. She spent her last years surrounded by people who loved her. When she passed away, she left everything to her nephewEllies dad. To Ellie, she handed down a family heirloom: a necklace that had been treasured for generations and never pawned, not even in tough times. Ellie loved it, kept it safe, and often gazed at it, thinking fondly of Maureen.

Her dad suggested selling Maureens old flat and getting Ellie one in the city where she had settled. Thats how Ellie finally got her very own place, a two-bedroom flat. The woman selling it said she was leaving it with good energy, and Ellie set to work doing it up right away. Her parents visited often, lending a hand with the renovations. Ellie was full of ideas, and her dad patiently made each one come true. In the end, the flat was transformedso much so, her mum decided they should redo their own house, with Ellie promising to handle the design.

Settled at last, Ellie fell for her once-unfamiliar city. At work, she befriended a colleague named Alice. They hit it off right away, and Alice often popped round for tea. One day, Ellie told Alice about climbing onto the roof of her old seven-storey block as a child with her neighbour and her mate, Jenny, to sun themselves.

Thats brilliant! Alice laughed. Why dont we

The two girls looked at each other and burst out laughing.

As long as we dont get locked up there, Ellie grinned. Once, Jenny and I got trapped till evening. The caretaker, Mr. Michael, a bit deaf, decided to bolt the door. We shouted and shouted, but he put the padlock on. Dad got home, sensed something was wrong, and rescued us.

Were you in trouble? Alice asked.

Nah, Dad always spoilt me when I was little. Mum was stricthe used to cover for me, she never knew half the antics I got up to.

Lucky you! I was forever in trouble for mischief. Tell you what, why not just ask the caretaker for the key and go up there like normal people?

Worth a shot, Ellie agreed.

At first the caretaker, Mr. Rashid, protested, muttering about health and safety and being sacked if anything happened. He warned them to behave, but in the end, handed over the key. The girls spent half their Saturday sunbathing up there. They borrowed the key from kind Mr. Rashid a few more times after that.

One afternoon, as they were packing up, they heard a noise by the roof door. They peered around the corner and spotted a well-dressed older lady sitting by a chimney, eating a sandwich.

And who might you be? Alice called.

The lady, startled but composed, answered, Oh, Im Im Mrs. Bennett. I I used to own the flat downstairs. Ellies eyes widened.

Youre the one I bought the place from?

Thats rightyoure that lovely girl who bought my flat, Mrs. Bennett replied, blushing. You see, girls she suddenly began to cry.

Between tears, she shared her story. Shed raised her son, Nicholas, alone after her husband leftclassic tale, ran off for someone else. Nicholas had always been poorly as a boy. She devoted her life to him, never remarried. He did well in school, went on to university and a masters, made his way at work, though relationships never stuck. About five years back, Nicholas started working late more often, then introduced her to Angela. Angela was practicalstraight to work around the house, always cleaning and taking care of Nicholas. Mrs. Bennett thought shed finally get some time for herself. Nicholas had a bigger place elsewhere but lived with her for convenience. Soon after, he and Angela moved to their own flat, and Mrs. Bennett settled into her new routine.

It didnt last. Angela had their first, Mark, whom Mrs. Bennett doted on, then next year, George, and then little Sophie. Once Sophie arrived, the young couple suggested Mrs. Bennett sell her flat since she lived with them anyway. No point leaving it empty, theyd said.

Thats how Mrs. Bennett landed herself in what she called a little hell. When Angela returned to work, it fell to Mrs. Bennett to care for the children, but her health started to falterhigh blood pressure, exhaustion. Her doctor prescribed rest and quiet, but with three unruly grandkids, peace was a fantasy. Angela insisted on doing the main childcare herself, so Mrs. Bennetts role was to cook, dress and tidy up after the kidsno storytelling, no discipline, no teaching, just housekeeping: make tea, read a bedtime story, then, maybe, an hour to herself.

Nicholas told her not to complain: Mum, movements life. You do it all so wellthe kids are safe, youre helping us earn more. Not many can say their whole family lives together.

At the start of summer, Mrs. Bennett said, the family went to the seaside and left me with the grandchildren. I thought I might not survive! Goodness knows, I love them, but I was shattered. She pretended she was going to visit a friend for the weekend, but instead just wandered the town, visited the museum, went to an exhibition.

Where do you sleep? Alice asked.

Mrs. Bennett smiled. Its summer, I just sit by the river on a bench and nod off.

That day, shed come back to her old block, walked up to the roofit was unlockedand thought maybe, just maybe, shed spend a night there, as Nicholas used to love hiding from her on that very roof.

The girls were horrified.

Ellie and Alice firmly invited Mrs. Bennett home for tea. Gosh, Ellie, youve really transformed this place! Its stunning. Oh, I do regret listening to Nicholas and Angela now! Please dont take it the wrong way

You know what? Ellie jumped in. You can come round anytime.

Oh, I couldnt intrude!

You absolutely must!

Hang on, Alice piped up. Did you get the money from selling the flat? If you dont mind me asking. Alice was actually a top solicitor, so Ellie winked at Mrs. Bennett, Dont mind Alice, shes just blunt.

Of courseI gave the money to Nicholas. He promised to put half in an account for me and half for himself.

With that, you could buy a small one-bedroom here, Alice mused.

And well help make it nice! Ellie added, bubbling with excitement.

But I couldnt possibly

Leave it to us, Alice smiled reassuringly.

A month later, Mrs. Bennett had moved into a cosy new flatback in her old building, no less. No one really knows what Alice said to Nicholas at his office, but he was all grumbly about her not speaking up sooner, about family sticking together. Angela was having none of it, refused to speak to her mother-in-law, but the grandkids soon sorted out a rota to stay with Grandma, and Angela eventually got used to thingsespecially once the kids started at nursery and loved it.

These days, Mrs. Bennett and Ellie visit each other oftensometimes for tea, sometimes to the museum or an exhibition.

Not me, Alice chuckles, When Im older, Ill stay in my own place. No ones persuading me otherwiseI wont be skulking about on roofs or freezing on a park bench, thanks very much.

Ellie grins, I couldnt agree more.

Morning, my lovelies! Thanks for always being there. Sending a big, warm hug!