Margaret and her husband absolutely adore their quaint cottage in the village. However, according to their daughter-in-law, Sarah, theres nothing remotely lovable about it. No modern conveniences to speak of, everything is quite rustic, and theres far too much messing about in the garden and greenhouse for her liking. Still, Margaret and her husband spend every year from April through October living there, and if they had their way, the pair of pensioners would happily hole up for winter tooprovided, of course, someone invested a small fortune in insulating the place properly. Honestly, wouldnt it be simpler if they just went to a nice resort for a holiday? Sarah muses, slightly exasperated.
About five years ago, Margaret and her husband asked their son and Sarah to help with a bit of renovation on their beloved cottage. The young couple had a fair bit tucked away in their bankmoney earmarked for nothing in particular, really. So, they lent it to Margaret and her husband quite cheerfully.
Margaret and her husband promised faithfully to pay it back within two years. Not long after the funds exchanged hands, Sarah gave birth to twins. During all those sleepless months, Margaret turned into Super-Gran, swooping in every day to help her daughter-in-law, even neglecting her own much-loved garden to do so. I honestly havent a clue how I wouldve coped without my mother-in-law, Sarah says. She was here every day, while my own mum was still stuck at work. Meanwhile, Margarets husband kept plodding away solo in the garden.
Throughout those two years, Margaret would often bring up the repayment, reassuring Sarah and her son that theyd sort it out, eventually. Gradually, however, those discussions fizzled out. Margarets husband hasnt been able to work for a year now, courtesy of his health problems, and Margaret herself has been retired for half a dozen years. As things stand, it seems theres simply no way to pay back the borrowed cash.
Sarahs mate suggests, Oh, just let it go. Margarets helped with the kids, and youve all had a steady stream of fresh veggies straight from the village. Her friend nods enthusiastically. Honestly, debts between parents and their children get a bit silly, dont they? But Sarahs own mum is adamant, They borrowed the money. They said theyd pay it back!
Now, stuck awkwardly between family loyalties and moral obligations, Sarah hasnt the faintest idea what to do next. What would you do in her shoes?
