I really want to go home, son
Victor Thompson steps out onto the small terrace, lights up his cigarette, and sits down on a low wooden stool. A lump of bitterness rises in his throat; he tries to steady himself but his hands betray him and begin to tremble. Who would have thought that a time would come when he’d feel unwelcome in his own flat…
Dad! Please dont sulk and dont get worked up! Laura, his eldest daughter, bursts onto the terrace. Im hardly asking for much Just let us have your room, thats all! If you wont think of me, at least think of your grandchildren. The boys will be starting school soon and they still have to squeeze into one room with us…
Laura, I wont go and live in a care home, Victor replies calmly. If its too cramped for you and your boys here, why dont you move in with Michaels mum? Shes got a whole three-bedroom place to herself. Youd all have your own rooms there.
You know I could never stand living with her! Laura shouts, slamming the terrace door behind her.
Victor strokes his old dog, Toby, whos been loyal ever since his late wife was alive. Thinking of Margaret brings tears to his eyes. Every time he remembers her, he cant help but cry. She passed away five years ago, and ever since, hes felt completely alone. Theyd shared their lives side by sidehow could he have imagined that, even with a daughter and grandchildren, lonely old age would be his fate?
He and Margaret raised Laura with love and kindness, always hoping to instill the best in herbut something must have been missed. Laura grew into a hard-hearted, self-centred woman.
Toby whimpered softly and lay at Victors feet. He sensed his owner’s pain and was suffering with him.
Granddad! Why dont you love us? Victors eight-year-old grandson enters the room.
What on earth are you on about? Who told you such nonsense? Victor says, startled.
Why wont you move out? Wont you let me and Archie have your room? Are you just being selfish? The boy looks at his granddad with a mixture of anger and disgust.
Victor wants to explain, but sees Lauras words coming from his grandsons lips. Clearly, she has already twisted the boy’s thinking.
Alright. Ill leave, Victor manages, his voice flat. Ill give you the room.
He cant stand it anymore. He understands now that everyone in this house resents him from his son-in-law, who hasnt spoken to him for months, to the grandson who now blames him for stealing the room.
Daddy! Are you serious? Laura rushes in gleefully.
Yes, he whispers. Just promise me youll be kind to Toby. I feel like a traitor…
Stop it! Well look after him, take him for walks, and bring him to visit you on weekends, Laura assures, her tone surprisingly cheery. Ive found the very best care home for youyoull love it, youll see.
Two days later, Victor is sent to the care home. Laura had arranged it all ahead of time, waiting for his surrender. When Victor steps into the stuffy, damp roomreeking of mould and dust miteshe instantly regrets his decision. Laura had lied; this wasnt a comfortable, private home, but a standard council-run place, filled with unlucky souls down on their luck.
Unpacking his things, he heads outside and sits on a bench, fighting back tears. He looks at the helpless faces of the other residents, imagining the dreary existence waiting for him.
Are you new here? asks a cheerful elderly woman who sits beside him.
Yes Victor sighs.
Dont fret so much. I cried when I first arrived, but you get used to it. My names Valerie.
Im Victor, he says, introducing himself. Did your children put you here too?
No, it was my nephew. God never gave me children, so I left my flat to him, but I made a mistake He got my place, and I ended up here. At least Im not homeless
They chatted away until late evening, reminiscing about the best days of their youth, their spouses and lost loves. The next morning, after breakfast, they went for a stroll together.
Valerie brought a flicker of happiness and variety into Victors life. He couldnt bear to stay inside, so he spent as much time outside as possible. Mealtimes were direhed just nibble a little, barely enough to keep going.
Victor waited hopefully for Laura, assuming shed eventually miss him and bring him home. But the days dragged on and she never came. Once, desperate for news of Toby, he called home, but nobody answered.
One day, as Victor stands near the entrance, he spots his old neighbour, Stephen Evans. Stephen rushed over, surprised.
So this is where you are! Stephen exclaims. Why does your daughter keep saying youve moved to the countryside? I knew something was upyoud never abandon Toby.
What do you mean? Victor doesnt understand. Whats happened to my dog?
Dont worry, we placed him with a local animal shelter. I couldnt work out what was going on. I saw Toby waiting outside the block night after night, but you were nowhere. I bumped into Laura and asked if something had happened; she claimed youd gone to live in the country and shes selling the flat and moving in with her husbands mum. As for Toby, she said you couldnt cope with him anymore. Victor, whats really going on? Stephen asks, noticing Victor go pale.
Victor tells him everything. He explains how, in his desperation to turn back time and undo his mistake, he has lost his chance for a decent lifeand now Laura has abandoned Toby as well.
I just want to go home, son, the old man whispers.
Thats exactly what Im here about. Im a solicitor, and I often help elderly clients fight for their rights. Right now Im working on a case where some neighbours took an old man’s house. Tell me, you didnt deregister your address, did you? Stephen asks.
No. Unless Laura did it for me. Honestly, I dont know what to expect from her anymore
Pack your thingsIll wait in the car, Stephen says. You cant let this happen! What sort of daughter is she?
Victor quickly gathers his belongings, hurrying downstairs. At the door, he runs into Valerie.
Valerie, Im leaving. My neighbour found meturns out Laura got rid of Toby and is selling the flat. Thats how it is, Victor explains.
How could she? Valerie is stunned. But what about me?
Dont worrythe moment I sort things out, Ill come for you, Victor promises.
People say that Who would ever want me? she says sadly.
Sorry, Ive got to go. But dont be sadIll keep my promise.
Victor finds he can’t get back into his flat, as it’s locked and he has no keys. Stephen takes him in. Soon, they discover Laura has already moved out, gone to her mother-in-laws place, and rented the flat.
Thanks to Stephen, Victor is able to assert his rights and reclaim his home.
Thank you, Victor tells Stephen. But I dont know how to go on. She wont rest until she drives me out for good
Theres only one thing for it, Stephen replies. We can sell the flat, give Laura her share, and use the rest to buy you a place. There are plenty of little cottages in the villageslets look for one.
Brilliant! Victor beams. Thats the perfect solution.
Three months later, Victor was moving into his new home. Stephen was there every step, and now, offered to drive Victor and Toby.
Just one stop first, Victor asks.
From afar, the old man spots Valerie sitting on their favourite bench, gazing sadly into the distance.
Valerie! he calls out. Toby and I have come for you. Weve got a new cottage now fresh air, a bit of fishing, berries, mushrooms, everything nearby. Will you come? Victor smiles.
How can I just go? Valerie hesitates.
Just hop off that bench and come with us! Victor laughs. Go on, decide! Theres nothing for us here.
Alright! Will you wait ten minutes? Valerie cant hold back her tears and smiles.
Of course Ill wait! Victor replies warmly.
Against the odds and the smallness of some minds, these two managed to fight for their own happiness. They learned that the world does indeed contain good peopleand in the end, the kind far outnumber the cruel. Victor and Valerie discovered this for themselves. Together, they stood up for their lives, and at last found peace and joy.
