Oh, bloody hell, Galina Mikhailovna, did you eat my cheese scones again? Alison stands in the middle of the kitchen, holding an empty packet.
I thought they were for everyone I start to explain.
For everyone? I bought those specifically for Sophie! Shes allergic to everything else!
Daniel walks out of the bedroom, looking rough after a night shift.
Mum, how many times do we have to go over this? Left shelfours!
The left shelf. In my own fridge, there are now their shelves and our shelves. Eighteen months ago, they moved in temporarilyjust until they found a place. Temporary turned into a permanent nightmare.
Gran, wheres my schoolbag? Max tears through the flat.
Grandad, have you seen my doll? Sophie tugs at Victors sleeve.
Victor hides behind his newspaper on the balconythe only place left to escape in his own home.
Thats it! Alison suddenly shouts. I cant take this anymore! Daniel, either we move out, or Im taking the kids to my mums!
Move out where? Daniel snaps back. Rent a place for eight hundred quid a month? Weve got a car loan to pay!
Then sell the bloody car!
Are you mad? How am I supposed to get to work?
The kids start crying. I try to calm them, but Alison pulls Sophie away from me.
We dont need your help! Well manage!
I retreat to my bedroom. The front door slamsDaniels gone. Then the sound of children crying, Alison shouting.
In my flat. My home, where Victor and I have lived for thirty years.
By evening, everyone pretends nothing happened. Dinner is silent. The kids poke at their plates. Alison pointedly ignores Daniel.
Dad, pass the salt, he mutters.
Victor silently hands it over. Hes been quiet lately. Tired of other peoples rows in his own house.
After dinner, Daniel lingers in the kitchen.
Mum, sorry about earlier. Alisons just stressed.
I understand.
No, you dont! He suddenly explodes. You dont know what its likeliving with your parents at thirty-five! Feeling like a failure!
Son
Dont! I know its hard for you too. But weve got nowhere else to go!
I stay quiet. What is there to say?
I dont sleep that night. Victor tosses and turns beside me. In the living roomnow the kids bedroomSophie cries softly, Alison soothing her.
The next morning, Im woken by a crash. Max has dropped a plate in the kitchen.
No harm done, I say, sweeping up the pieces.
Mumll be cross, he whispers.
We wont tell her.
He hugs me. Small, warm, mine. Id do anything for my grandkids. But how much longer?
A week later, Daniel comes home from work looking odd. Thoughtful, but not gloomy.
Mum, Dad, we need to talk.
The three of us sit at the kitchen table. Alison puts the kids to bed.
Ive made a decision. Taking out a mortgage. Buying a house.
What? My heart clenches. A mortgage? Daniel, thats so much money!
Mum, its the only way. Were all going mad here.
But twenty years of repayments! Victor finally speaks up.
Ill manage. Found a place just round the corner. Small, but ours.
Round the corner? I ask.
Yeah. So you can still see the kids. And were close if you need us.
I look at my son. When did he grow up? When did the boy who couldnt find his socks turn into this man?
Does Alison know?
Not yet. Wanted to talk to you first.
Victor stands, clapping Daniel on the shoulder.
Youre doing the right thing. A man should have his own home.
Daniel exhalesas if hed been braced for refusal.
That evening, he talks to Alison. I hear her cryingjoy or fear, I cant tell.
The mortgage paperwork, viewings, stressit all blurs. Alison swings between excitement and panic.
Galina Mikhailovna, what if we cant afford it? What if Daniel loses his job?
Youll manage. Youre young, strong.
But twenty years!
At least itll be yours.
Moving day. The removal men haul boxes. The kids race between housesours is just five minutes away.
Gran, Ive got my own room now! Sophie drags me upstairs to see.
A tiny attic room. But hers.
Lovely! Once you decorate, itll be perfect!
That evening, we celebrate at their new place. Crampedthe house is small. But the mood is different. Alison laughs, Daniel jokes. The kids show off their space.
Mum, sorry about the last year and a half, Daniel says suddenly.
Dont be silly! Were family.
Exactly. But family should live apart.
Victor raises a glass.
To the new house! And to visitingnot living on top of each other!
Well always be here. Alison hugs me.
Thanks for putting up with us.
Oh, stop it!
But shes right. We did. And we made it through.
First night back in our empty flat. Quiet. Unnervingly quiet.
Vic, can you hear that?
What?
The silence!
He laughs.
Finally!
Morning comesno crashing in the kitchen. I drink my tea in peace, watch the news.
The doorbell rings.
Gran, can I come in? Max stands there with his schoolbag.
Of course! Does your mum know?
She said go to Grans to do homeworkits quieter there!
There it is. Now the grandkids visitthey dont live on top of us.
We sit at the table. I help with maths. An hour later, Sophie bursts in.
Gran, Mums making pancakes! She says come over!
We go. Alison smiles by the stove.
Thought wed celebrate! First pancakes in the new house!
We squeeze around their little table. Cramped, but cosy. And most importantlywe know well go home after.
Galina Mikhailovna, could the kids stay with you this weekend? Alison asks. Daniel and I want to go into town, look at wallpaper.
Of course! Happy to!
And I mean ithappy. Because now its a choice, not an obligation.
A month passes. Daniel pops in after work.
Mum, can I borrow the ladder? Hanging curtain rails.
Take it! In the shed!
Victor goes to help. Comes back smiling.
Theyre doing well. Making it their own.
Alison brings over a pie.
Made it to your recipe! Try it!
I do. Its good. She beams.
You know, I never liked cooking before. But nowmy own kitchen, my own rules!
Thats the key wordown.
Evening. A friend calls.
Galina, fancy coffee tomorrow at yours?
Absolutely!
And I dont worry about disturbing Alison. About the kids being loud. My home, my guests.
Daniel changes before our eyes. No more complaining. Now hes the man of the housefixing the roof, painting the fence, planting a veg patch.
Tomatoes! He grins. Homegrown!
Alisons different too. Calmer. When she visits now, she talksdoesnt just defend her territory.
Galina Mikhailovna, can you teach me your meatball recipe? Daniel keeps going on about them!
I show her. We stand side by side in my kitchenwhere Im still the one in charge.
The kids run between houses. After schoolto us. Homework doneback home. Weekendssometimes they stay over, sometimes they invite us.
Gran, can we watch cartoons at yours? Max hugs me.
Course! Whatever you want!
And I dont worry if Alison will mind. My home, my rules, my grandkids visiting.
One day, Alison arrives in tears.
Mum! (First time shes called me that.) Daniel fell down the stairs! Think hes broken his leg!
We rush over. Victor calls an ambulance. I stay with the kids. Alison goes to the hospital.
That evening, they return. Daniel on crutches, leg in plaster.
Fracture, he says grimly. At least a month off work.
Could be worse! At least hes alive!
The next weeks are hard. No work, no pay. The mortgage looms.
Maybe we should move back? Alison whispers.
No! Daniel wont hear it. Well manage!
And they do. We help with food, with the kids. But they stay in their own home.
You know, Alison says one day, even like thisits better being in our own place. Y
