“Why did you come to our flat while we were away?” the son asked coolly.
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to leave the keys to our flat with your mother?” questioned Amelia with skepticism.
“Who knows what might happen? We’re going to be out of town for two weeks,” reminded Daniel, her husband.
“Alright,” sighed Amelia sadly, not particularly fond of the plan.
Her worries weren’t unfounded. Amelia had to leave five hundred pounds in the flat, money she’d been saving for a birthday gift for the company director whose birthday was in a month.
She shared these concerns with Daniel, whom she had been married to for about a year.
“Don’t worry, no one’s going to take your money,” laughed Daniel, amused by her concern.
Three days later, the couple left for their holiday. Amelia tried not to dwell on the money, but a nagging feeling wouldn’t let her rest.
During the vacation, Daniel called his mother a couple of times to check if everything was alright in their flat.
“I haven’t been there,” Janet replied defensively. “We agreed I’d only go if the neighbors complained.”
“Right,” said Daniel, trying to reassure Amelia, who was quite anxious about it.
Two weeks later, they returned home, and Amelia immediately dashed to the bedroom to check the five hundred pounds.
But as soon as she entered the room, she froze: a porcelain figurine lay shattered on the floor.
Sensing something was wrong, Amelia checked the hiding place for her savings, only to find them missing.
“Dan! Dan!” she cried. “The money’s gone, and the figurine’s broken! Who’s been in our home?”
“I asked Mum, she said she didn’t come in,” replied Daniel, puzzled.
“Don’t be ridiculous! No one else has keys to our flat!” Amelia, feeling desolate, sat on the bed and burst into tears. “Where am I going to find five hundred pounds now?”
“Are you sure they’re gone? Maybe you moved them and forgot?” Daniel asked hopefully, though aware his mother was the prime suspect.
Together, they checked again where the money had been. It was as if they’d vanished.
“Mum wouldn’t take them. She’s not a thief,” Daniel shook his head.
“Then did she give them to someone?” Amelia cried.
To clear things up, Daniel suggested they visit his mother to ask directly about the keys.
“Are you accusing me of theft?” Janet threw up her hands in shock after they confronted her. “I never thought I’d hear such a thing! I told you I wasn’t even there…”
“Mum, we’re not accusing you, but did you let someone else in?” Daniel suggested.
Janet paused for a moment, then confidently said no one else could have gone inside.
“Oh, I remember now, I did go over once,” she suddenly admitted.
“Why?” the couple asked in unison, exchanging glances.
“I was out shopping with Lucy, and she needed the bathroom, so we popped in,” Janet smiled awkwardly.
“With Lucy?” Amelia asked, recalling the spoiled fifteen-year-old niece who held neither her mother nor grandmother in high regard.
“Yes, we went to buy her a coat and quickly stopped by,” Janet explained.
“Did you leave Lucy alone?” Amelia asked cautiously.
“Well, she popped to the bathroom and was on the phone for about ten minutes,” Janet replied hesitantly. “No, surely not! She might be cheeky, but not a thief! Shame on you for blaming her! You must’ve spent the money yourself and want to pin it on a child!”
“Are you kidding me? Then explain who’s been in our room, broke the figurine, and took five hundred pounds?” Amelia demanded angrily. “You know what?! If the money isn’t back by tomorrow, I’m going to the police. They can take fingerprints and find out who took it!”
With a determined look, she headed for the door, confident her ultimatum would frighten her mother-in-law.
The next morning, Janet arrived early at the couple’s flat.
Looking displeased, she walked in without greeting them and sat down on the sofa with her hands folded.
“I hope you haven’t gone to the police yet?” she asked strictly.
“Not yet, but I’m just about to,” Amelia lied, hoping to make an impression.
Janet quickly rummaged through her handbag and pulled out a bundle.
“Here’s your five hundred pounds! Count it if you don’t trust me,” Janet frowned, handing the money to Amelia.
Amelia counted the notes carefully and sighed with relief.
“It’s all here! Thank goodness, I thought I’d have to rush to the bank for a loan!”
“Mum, do you want to tell us where the money came from?” Daniel asked coldly.
In response, Janet looked down guiltily and frowned.
“Lucy took it. I don’t know when she managed to do it. She denied it at first, but when I mentioned the police, she confessed. Just please don’t go to the station,” Janet pleaded with her daughter-in-law.
“Of course, I won’t, but we’ll never leave you the keys again,” Amelia sighed.
“You shouldn’t leave such amounts at home if you’re going away,” Janet grumbled. “It might not have been her, a burglar could have broken in and you’d be left chasing shadows.”
Realizing Janet wanted to partially blame them for the theft, Amelia looked at her defiantly.
“Alright, I’m leaving,” Janet stood up and headed to the door.
After she left, Amelia folded her arms and sternly said to Daniel:
“No more keys to any relatives!”
