**Diary Entry**
*12th May, 2023*
The phone rang late last night. It was Mumher voice weak, strained.
“Charlotte, love, could you come round? Im not feeling right. Dennis and Amelia left little Oliver with me and went out. Cant get hold of them.”
“Again? Blimey! Ill be right over.”
Half an hour later, I was at her flat in Manchester.
“My blood pressures up, cant bring it down. My heads pounding”
“Should I call an ambulance?”
“No, nojust need to lie down. But Oliver wont settle. Jumping about, into everything. Too young to understand.”
I took my grandson into the other room, fuming. *How dare they leave him with her? Shes nearly eighty!*
An hour later, Dennis and Amelia stumbled in, reeking of booze.
“Your gran was poorly, and you ignored your phones! Why dump Oliver on her again?”
“Mum, relax! Grans just being dramaticshes tough as old boots!”
“Dont you dare! No conscience, either of you. First you move in here, then you burden an old woman!”
“Well, if you wont buy us a flat, where else are we supposed to live?”
“Get jobs, for heavens sake! Olivers old enough for nurserythey take them from two. Start pulling your weight!”
“We *are* working! Amelia and I run a vlog. Once it takes off, moneyll come pouring in. Just need timeweve invested in ads!”
“Rubbish! Every other persons a content creator these days. Your dad and I cant afford a flat for you. Shouldve thought before starting a family!”
“Not my fault Amelia got pregnant so quick! Had to marry her!”
“Excuse me? *I* did this alone, did I?” Amelia slurred, breath sour with drink.
“Oh, shut it! I told you to be carefulthis is on you!”
“Ive had enough of your drunken drivel. Grans asleepkeep it down. Im leaving.”
—
It all went pear-shaped after Amelias surprise pregnancy. A rushed registry office wedding, then they moved in with Gran.
“Gran, youve got two bedroomsplenty of space. Ameliall help. Cleaning, cooking, shopping.”
How could she say no to her golden grandson? “Just till were on our feet,” hed said.
I only found out after theyd moved in. Theyd sworn Gran to secrecy, knowing Id object.
“Love, dont shout. Theyll move out soon. Cant have them on the streets.”
“Youre too soft. Dennis needs a proper job, not this laziness. Living off child benefit and Amelias parents handouts!”
Hed dropped out of uni, no trade, unfit for the army due to asthma. Now he was losing the plot entirely.
I never refused to babysit, but when they started dropping Oliver off daily, I snapped.
“Youre his parentsact like it! Gallivanting with mates, filming nonsense. Once or twice a week, maxIve my own life!”
So they left him with Gran. She struggled, but Dennis always promised, “Just this once.”
—
“Charlotte, did you know your mums gone viral?” My colleague looked uneasy.
“What? She doesnt even use the internet!”
“Dennis films her answering daft questions, then mocks her online. Comments are horrifiedfolks think hes exploiting her.”
I stormed out and called him.
“Whats this about filming Gran?”
“Chill, Mum! Its a trend! She just answers questionsno big deal. Amelias idea. Views are through the roof!”
“Delete those videos now, or youre out!”
“Not happening. Our blogs finally payingads are rolling in. Stay out of it!”
He hung up. *We raised a monster.*
That evening, I told my husband. He was livid. “Lets goIll set him straight.”
Dennis sneered when we arrived. “Oh, *here* we go. Were finestop listening to busybodies. Everyone hustles these days!”
“Not by humiliating Gran! Delete them!”
“Grow up, Mum! Im an adultIll do what I want!”
“Adult? Then move out! Leeching off her pension tooshameful!”
He smirked. “She offered. Besides, the flatll be mine when shes gone. Why rent?”
The audacity left us speechless.
“That flats *mine*Im her daughter! After this, Ill think twice about leaving it to you. Prove you can provide first!”
Gran intervened. “Charlotte, its *my* home. I dont mind them staying. Saw the videosharmless fun. Let them earn their way.”
I begged her to reconsider, but shed made up her mind.
—
Two weeks later, Gran collapsed. The paramedics couldnt save her.
“Charlotte Grans gone. Heart gave out.”
*So sudden.* Yesterday shed seemed fine.
At the funeral, Dennis weptgenuinely, I thought. He *had* loved her, despite everything.
After, he confessed: “Mum Gran signed the flat over to me. A gift. Didnt pressure herher choice.”
I was stunned. *Her wish. Nothing to do now.*
Days later, I returned for Grans things. The door was ajar. Amelias voice carried from the bedroomchillingly casual.
“Finally rid of that old nag! Always moaning about noise, never helped with Oliver.”
A pause. Then:
“Honestly, when she felt ill, I stalled. Told her the ambulance was busy. Gave her the wrong pills. Called them only when she started choking.”
My blood ran cold.
“And the deed? Dennis thinks she signed it willingly. Played the guilt cardThink of Oliver. Worked a treat.”
I burst in. “You vile witch! Ill have you arrested!”
Amelia paled. “Youyou misunderstood! Just joking!”
“Dennis will hear this!”
“He wont believe you. And even if he does Oliver isnt his.”
The room spun.
Dennis walked in. “Whats going on?”
I told him. He stared at Amelia, betrayal dawning.
“She had a weak heartnothing wouldve saved her,” Amelia muttered, grabbing Olivers coat. “And Olivers Vadims. He left, so I hooked Dennis. Knew youd find out eventually.”
She fled before he could react.
We didnt go to the policeno proof. That sins on her conscience.
“Dennis, youre complicit. I warned you to move out. Grans kindness killed her.”
He crumpled. “Olivers not mine Grans gone”
“Im deleting the vlog. Getting a proper job. Time to grow up.”
—
He did. Found work, divorced Amelia, contested paternity. Met a lovely girlnothing like Amelia.
Now, he asks my advice. Listens.
Thank God hes finally acting his age. Pray he keeps it up.
**Lesson:** Blood doesnt excuse betrayal. And greed? It hollows you out.
