Were moving into your flat
Mollys got a wonderful flat in the city. Its newly done up, perfect for anyone!
It might suit a single girl, Simon gave Emma a condescending smile, as if speaking to a child. But were planning for two, maybe even three little ones. One after the other, if were lucky.
Its so loud in the heart of the city, hardly any air, and never a space to park. Most important its only two rooms. Here, there are three, and its peaceful. School just down the road, even a nursery in the garden square.
It is a lovely neighbourhood, agreed Peter, still unsure what on earth his soon-to-be son-in-law was getting at. Thats why we settled here in the first place.
There you go! Simon snapped his fingers. I keep saying to Molly: why squeeze ourselves into a shoebox when the perfect solution is right here?
Theres only you and your girl here surely all this space is wasted. One room is only a storeroom now. It would suit us perfectly.
Emma was wrestling a carpet sweeper into the skinny cupboard in the hallway.
The hoover refused snagging its hose on the hangers and stubbornly refusing to fit into its allotted spot.
Peter, could you please help! she called into the lounge. Either the cupboards shrunk or Ive forgotten how to fit things away.
Peter peered out from the bathroom hed just finished fiddling with the leaking tap.
He was calm, always a little slow to get started, and quite the opposite of his excitable wife.
Lets have a go, Em, he said. He grasped the heavy cleaner and, in one pull, set it in the right corner of the cupboard.
Emma exhaled and leaned against the door frame.
Tell me, why is it that we never have enough space? Three rooms, and yet whenever we tidy, it feels like we should just toss everything into the street.
Thats because you hoard everything, Peter grinned. Why do we need three china sets? We only use one, twice a year.
Theyre memories, let them be. Its Grannys old place, after all.
After their wedding, Peters parents had split the inheritance equally: their son got this spacious three-bedroom flat in a quiet part of town Grannys and his sister Molly got a cosy two-bed smack bang in the citys golden square. On paper, it was fair, about the same value. Five years everyone lived in harmony no envy, no bother.
Emma, poor thing, believed it would always be this way, but
***
Theyd finished tidying, sorted the chaos, and sat down for a rest. TV had just been turned on when the bell rang.
Peter went to answer.
Its Molly and her fiancé, he called to his wife, peeking through the spyhole.
First through the door was Molly, bright as ever. Hot on her heels, trudged Simon.
Emma had only seen Simon a handful of times: Molly had picked him up at her fitness club about six months before. Emma never liked him too full of himself, a bit arrogant. He looked at Peter and her both as if he were above it all.
Hello! Molly pecked her brother on the cheek, hugged Emma. We were just passing and thought wed pop in. Weve news!
Well, do come in if youre passing, said Peter, motioning them towards the kitchen. Tea for you both?
Just water, Simon followed his host grandly. Got a proper matter to discuss, Pete.
Truth is, it wasnt just a flying visit. They clearly had something in mind. Dont fuss, no tea needed. Just have a seat.
A little chill ran through Emma she didnt like Simons tone one bit. What was all this about?
All right, go on then, Peter shrugged.
Molly pretended she wasnt in the room, her eyes glued to her phone, letting her chap do all the talking.
Simon cleared his throat.
Heres the thing. Molly and I have handed in our notice. The weddings in three months. Im serious about this, you understand.
Family life, together, happy for years and years. Weve been thinking about our living situation So then well take your flat, and youll move into Mollys!
Emma was lost for words. She glanced at her husband, then at her sister-in-law, who kept scrolling through social media as if the conversation wasnt happening at all.
Simon, what exactly are you implying? Peters brow furrowed.
Not implying, offering a sensible solution. Lets swap!
Well move here, you take Mollys flat.
Molly and I both think its only fair.
Emma was dumbfounded all over again.
Fair? she echoed. Are you quite serious, Simon? Youve come into our home and asked us to leave because you want children?
No need to be so sharp, Emma, he wrinkled his nose. Im only being practical. You have one child, and I hear there wont be more.
So whats the point of all this wasted space? Its not sensible. Whereas we were building a family.
Oh, hear that prospects! Emma leapt to her feet. Peter, are you listening to this nonsense?
Peter raised his hand, asking his wife to give him a moment.
Simon, you seem to have forgotten who gave me this flat. Same as Mollys parents gave her hers.
Weve spent five years working on this place, picked out every bit ourselves. Our daughter has grown up here, has her own room, her friends, her routines.
Yet you suggest we pack up and move just because it suits you?
Come off it, Pete, Simon settled back comfortably. Youre family. Molly is your flesh and blood. Does her future not matter to you?
Besides, what Im offering is totally fair. Youd get a flat in the citys best area worth even more, actually, if you crunch the numbers.
Isnt this funny, Peter snorted. Youre not even married to my sister yet, and youre measuring up for my flat!
At long last, Molly looked up from her phone.
Oh, stop it, she groaned. Simon just wants whats best.
It really will be cramped in my flat when we have children. This corridor alone is big enough for football.
Mum always said, family is everything. Have you forgotten, Pete?
Mum said to help each other, Molly, not to chuck someone out of their home! Emma snapped. Can you even hear what your Simon is saying?
Whats wrong with what hes saying? Molly fluttered her lashes in confusion. Hes making sense. We need it more. That extra room you have isnt even used.
It is used! Emma nearly shouted. Its my study! I work there or have you forgotten?
Work, Simon smirked. Posting pictures online, is it? Molly says its just a hobby. You can use the kitchen table, cant you? Not like youre the Queen.
Peter stood up slowly.
Right, he said quietly. Conversations over. The pair of you, out.
Peter, honestly? Simon didnt even move. We just came to talk. Like family.
Like family? Peter moved closer. You come pestering for my flat, belittling my wife, and telling my daughter where to live?
Have you no shame?
Shame, Peter? Emma stood firm beside her husband. Its simple calculation. The ring isnt even on her finger and hes dividing up the property.
Molly, do you have any idea who youre letting through our door? Hell kick you out of your own flat first.
Dont you dare talk about him like that! Molly snapped too. Simon cares for me! He thinks about our future!
But you you just clutch onto your four walls like a pair of old owls.
Some brother you are!
The greedy one here is your fiancé, Peter pointed to the door. Ill make it simple: out. Now.
And dont mention any sort of swap again. I hear about this one more time, were done.
Simon straightened his shirt collar, not a hint of guilt on his face just annoyance.
Youre making a mistake, Pete. I thought wed come to an agreement. But if youre going to be so stubborn
Molly, were going.
When the door finally closed, Emma collapsed onto the sofa, trembling.
Did you see that? Did you really? she stared wide-eyed at Peter. The nerve! Who does he think he is?
Peter said nothing, staring out the window as Simon strutted to his car, shouting at Molly.
Do you know the worst of it? he spoke at last. Molly honestly thinks hes right. She was always a bit dreamy, but this?
Hes pulled the wool over her eyes, Emma leapt up. Peter, ring your mum. Your parents should know what sort of plans their son-in-law is cooking up.
Hang on, Peter pulled out his phone. Ill phone Molly first. Just her without that peacock.
He dialed her number. It rang for ages, then Molly picked up. She was crying.
Hello, she muttered.
Molly, listen closely, Peters voice was sharp. Is Simon there?
What does it matter?
If he is, put me on speaker I want him to hear as well.
Im not in the car, Molly sniffed. He dropped me off at the flats and drove off. Said he needed to cool off because my family are all selfish.
Peter, why are you like this? All he wanted was for everything to be perfect for us
Molly, for goodness sake! Peter almost yelled. He turned up and tried to extort our flat!
Do you even understand, this is your home, your inheritance? And hes treating it as his already.
Did he even mention this grand plan to you before marching into our kitchen?
Silence crackled down the line.
No, Molly finally whispered. He only said he had a surprise that would make things better.
Some surprise! He decided both our futures for us, without asking either one.
Who are you marrying, Molly? Hes a plain gold-digger.
Today its a flat, tomorrow he complains your cars too small, next hell want your folks cottage in Kent because he needs country air.
Dont her voice trembled. He loves me.
Then he wouldnt cause scenes like this. Hes set us at each others throats!
Emmas still shaken. Dont you get it? He wanted us at war.
Ill talk to him, she said, doubtfully.
Do that. And think hard before the registry office.
Peter ended the call, tossing his phone onto the sofa.
What did she say? Emma whispered.
She said she didnt know. Simon planned his little surprise.
Emma gave a wry laugh.
Imagine waltzing in, dividing up rooms and people as it pleases him. Makes me sick.
Were not giving up our flat, thats clear, Peter squeezed his wifes shoulder.
But I do pity Molly. Shes in for a rough time.
***
Luckily for Peter and Emma, their worst fears never came to pass the wedding was called off.
Simon dumped Molly that very evening. Crying her eyes out, she turned up at her brothers, telling all.
Simon had returned only to pack. Molly panicked, asking what had happened.
Simon declared he didnt want to tie himself to such stingy relatives.
He said, I dont need family like that, Molly sobbed. Youre not reliable, he said.
Said youd never help us with the children on weekends when we need a break.
And youd never lend us any money in a pinch.
Never mind him, darling Emma bristled. You dont need someone like that!
He cant be relied on at all, cares only for himself. Forget him and move on!
Molly suffered a few months, but eventually the hurt faded.
Later the penny dropped. Why hadnt she seen through him sooner?
If shed married Simon, it would have been misery for life. Fate, it seemed, was smiling on her that day.
