You simply couldnt manage to raise your children right. Just look at Olivers James
Alice never quite understood what began to irk her mother. It seemed, not so long ago, all was wellespecially in childhood. Alice was the golden example, praised above her elder brother.
Their family lived comfortably enough. They didnt have much, but never wanted for anything either. The essentials were there; they saved for bigger purchases. Even owned a carnot new, but reliable enough. If it broke, Father would mend it.
After finishing school, her brother Oliver headed to London for university. That took heaps of moneytuition, his flat, food, the lot
Alice noticed her parents struggling, cutting back on everything. And soon, shed sit her own exams; only two years behind her brother.
We cant support another one in London, love. Theres a university right here in Birmingham. Apply there.
So Alice did. She found work, first delivering newspapers on weekends, then waitressing at a café just a stroll from home. She got a scholarship, so earned her own cash for clothes and sometimes brought food in for the family.
Well done, love, youre a good help at home. You study, you work. Oliver cant manage a job, too much coursework, hes absolutely flat out.
I get tired, toostay up nights writing my essays.
But darling, of course you tire, but youre at home. Home is where youre meant to be.
Eventually, Oliver graduated. He looked for work, but wouldnt move back to their hometown. London held all the promise. There were jobs, just not quite to his taste. The family continued to support him.
He just needs to get his foot in, then things will come together.
They didnt exactly, but in a way, they did. Oliver took a job, then rather suddenly married the bosss daughteran accident of sorts.
Their son arrived; he, too, was well settled. The in-laws bought them a flat, the father-in-law gave Oliver a promotion and a bump in salary. Fortune favoured him. The parents breathed easy at last.
Alice married as well, but not quite so glamorouslynot to the son of some boss, but to an ordinary man. They worked for their own flat, though not in London.
A daughter arrived; then, unexpectedly, twin sons followed close behind. Theyd only planned for a second, but found themselves with three. It was hard, but they didnt complain. The children grew, went to school.
On their thirty-fifth anniversary, Alices parents decided it was time for a proper celebration. Twenty-five had come and gone, as had thirtythered never been the money. But now, they dared.
Oliver arrived with his son; his wife was much too busy, but shed sent a present in advancea voucher for new household appliances. Recommended a dishwasher, most decidedly.
Oliver delivered the gift, they chose and installed the dishwasher. All evening, Mother crowed about it, showing the guests. No one would need to wash up after the feast; the machine would handle everything.
Amidst all the praise and admiration for the dishwasher, Alices gift was forgottena getaway for two, meant as a wedding trip for her parents. It had cost far more, but paled next to Olivers gift.
Her parents did thank Alice after enjoying their holiday, but also noted how carelessly shed spent her money. The trip had ended; the dishwasher remained and served.
Then began the constant refrain: at every chance, Mother exalted her successful son. He lived in Londonimplying he was Someone. Built himself a career, flat, wife, childall in the city.
One childproper, not three running about. Why so many? Theyll need schooling and so much more. Now Oliver has it right
Olivers got a state-of-the-art placerobotic hoover, automated lighting, dishes all done for him, meals delivered to the door, cleaner comes in every week
Mum, I’m capable myself; the children and my husband help out.
But Oliver
And Oliver
Your brother
Time went by; Alices children grew up. None attended the London universities, but all earned degrees here in Birmingham. On the subject, Mother expressed her feelings, too.
You see, you didnt manage to bring yours up right. Now Olivers James
Mum, our children are kindand you dont know everything about James! We visited, things werent so perfect at theirs. I noticed right away.
Don’t twist things. If nothing came of you, how could any good come of your children? You should never have had so many!
Yes, Mum, Im nothing. Good job, just not in London! Husband doing well, but the wrong kind! Children graduating with distinction, but only from local unis!
Flat beautifully redone, but no housekeeper. Only a hoover, no robot for us. Dishwashers just a dishwasher, and we flip the switches ourselves.
We help out where we can, even with you, but not the same! Your precious Oliver cant even send money for your medicine; he’s got his own expenses!
He’s made something of himself, but you remain nobody!
One day, Oliver came home. Mother assumed he was just visiting, but he returned for good. His wife had filed for divorce, hed been let go from his father-in-laws company, and his son had created quite enough trouble.
No job appeared here in town, and nothing in Birmingham paid like it did in London.
Alice, weve decided Oliver needs to start a business. Hes ready. He cant just work as a plain old engineer after London, Mother asserted one day.
Well, youve decided, you do it.
We need your helpa loan perhaps. You and your husband, you dont need much. Not living in London.
Nor is Oliver now, Mum. He needs to come down to earth.
You might need little, but he has greater needs, he
Mum, we help the kids, we help you a bit. We need to change our car, too, little things.
The car can wait. The money for Oliver is much more important.
Yes, Mum. Oliver has always mattered more. The minute he went to London, that was clear. No, I didn’t want to study in London, but you wouldnt even help me here.
The proceeds from Granddad and Grandmas house went to Olivers tuition and living in London, because he needed to get ahead. The other grandparents house travelled across Londonfor Oliver.
When I asked for a loan for a double pram for the twinsnot a gift, just a loanyou said no. Do you think we stayed at Olivers when visiting London? No, just delivered your parcels. Stayed in a hotel. His wife didnt care for us, being from the Midlands and all.
Well, hes divorced now, and he needs helphe hasnt even got a flat.
No car either; his son smashed it up.
Lets not discuss his misfortunesjust help already.
No, Mum! Theres work in our city, good wages. Just not up to Olivers standards. Good for us, paltry for him.
So what can I give him? Pennies? Money for a business, then a car, then a flat No, Mum, its a little rich for the golden son to take from his poor sister in the Midlands, who never amounted to anything!
How can you speak to me that way?
Its fine, Mum. Ive just realiseda person only becomes one if theyre my brother. Hes living with you now, so let him help you. Its his turn at last.
Alice! You’re forcing us to sell the flat. Do you realise what youre making us do?
Am I? Just dont forget to buy yourself at least a room.
Her parents sold their flat, bought a tired bedsit out near the tracks. The rest of the money they handed to Oliver, who promptly took it back to London. What would he do here, in a place that hardly shows up on a map?
He set up nothing, and still, in Mother’s eyes, Oliver was Someone. Mother returned to lamenting Alices failures, asking for her helpnow needed new wallpaper, a leaky tap. Alice helped where she could, but refused to redecorate.
I know the flat will end up with Oliver anyway, so let him handle its repairs. Hes got the title!
Soon Olivers funds ran dry. He moved back in. It was crowded in their little one-room flat, but so it was.
A creaky camp bed beside the fridge, but once, hed made it. Turns out the parents had backed the wrong horse, as the saying goestheyd lost their bet, well and proper.
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