Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.
Here we go again. Are you going to throw this in my face forever?
Emily and Oliver had been married for ten years.
Emily had a mother and a stepfather whod raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, James, wasnt his by blood either. Only her little sister, Lily, was truly his. But he never treated them any differently.
When Emily married and moved in with Oliver, Lily was only eight.
Oliver got along with her stepfather from the start. No surpriseWilliam Thompson could strike up a genuine conversation with anyone, child or adult. He spoke to people as equals, finding common ground.
Oliver had no complaints about his mother-in-law either, but with William, he bonded instantly, even calling him Dad. His own father was long gone.
His mother had moved in with her ailing grandmother and never returned, leaving the house to him. Emily and Oliver had renovated it with Williams help. Emilys mother grumbledwhy would anyone leave the city for a village?
Mum, its a town. A proper town. Theres even a block of flats in the centre.
Youre in a cottage. The outskirts count as the countryside
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter grew up. James stayed in the city after university, far from home. Lily married but had no house of her own, so she rentedpaid for by her parents.
Let them live with us, William said to his wife.
Fine, but we need to talk.
About what?
Why did you switch jobs?
Weve been over this. The kids earn their own keep now. I cant handle two jobs anymore, not since I fell ill. Expenses are lower.
Lily needs a flat.
She has a husband.
Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.
Youre starting again. Will you hold this over me forever?
Choose! Work for Lilys flat, or
Or what? What choice is there?
Or leave.
You know I cant work like that.
Then Ill file for divorce. Go. Youve got that house.
The house? Have you seen it? Its been years.
Not my problem. You refused to sell.
William packed in silence, taking only essentials.
Take everything, or Ill bin the rest.
Weve lived most of our lives. You retire next year. Im sixty-three.
Shouldve married younger. No one else wouldve taken me with two kids in tow. You were the only option.
Is that what you think of them? Fine. Ill go. Ill collect the rest later.
Mum, wheres Dad?
You know hes not your real father.
What difference does that make? Hes my dad. Theres no other.
We split up. Lily and her husband are moving in.
What? Wheres Dad?
Back in his village.
And Lily agreed to send him there, weak as he is? How could you?
Why do you care so much?
Its cruel. Does James know?
Why tell him? Hes far away. Why are you here, anyway?
Just visiting. Were on holiday tomorrow, then stopping by James.
What do you want from me? I need money for renovations. Your sisters pregnanttheyre moving in soon. So dont ask for anything. Brought the kids? I wont babysit.
We didnt come for that. Weve got money, and the kids are coming with us. Were you even going to tell us about the divorce?
Why bother? Hes only related to Lily.
When he loved and provided, he was family. Now hes not? Thats not right, Mum.
Dont judge me! I did everything for you!
Oliver stepped back inside. Hed left when Emilys argument started, once he realised William was gone. Hed barely reached himWilliam never carried his phone. But by luck, he answered.
Its not my place to judge. He was the one who did everything for us. Time will tell.
Emily, lets go. Oliver tugged her hand. I know everything. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandads.
You found out? Lets go.
Took some pressing. He didnt want to say.
Good job. I never knew the address. We were never told.
William met them by the old house.
Grandad, does a wicked granny live here? the grandchildren asked.
No. She stayed in town.
Emily and Oliver laughed. The joke landed, though Williams mood was grim. He was glad to see them but couldnt hide his exhaustion.
Why did you find me?
How can you live here?! We came to sort things out. Why didnt you tell us?
No need to trouble you. Your mother made her position clear.
I understood her too. How will you manage here? Its summer now, but winter? Did you bring everything?
All I could. The place is barejust old crockery left. But Ill manage.
Of course you will. Pack your things, Dad. Youre coming home with us.
Yes, Dad. Well fetch the rest later. Just take what you need.
I cant. Im not alone.
We can see that. We never got around to getting a dog. The kids keep asking.
Someone dumped him. Still a pup
Bring him too. Hell guard the house.
William didnt cry. The tears just fell.
Dad, were leaving tomorrow for ten days. Youre in charge. Heres your room. Foods stocked, shops nearby, moneys here. Well stop by James. Just stay in touch
Dad, were back! Emily called as she stepped inside.
Oliver and the kids followed.
No answer.
Instead of William, Emilys mother appeared.
Mum, what are you doing here?! Wheres Dad?!
I came to check on your house, she said breezily. And found a stranger here! With a dog, no less
Wheres Dad?! Oliver demanded.
Lily and her husband moved into my flat. Im living with you now. Its closer to town.
Where. Is. Dad?!
They couldnt make sense of it.
How should I know? She smirked. Where he always is.
Darling, Mum. Youve overstayed. Were home now, so
Emily! How dare he speak to me like that?
Mum, its time to go. Dont bother bringing your things.
They found William back at the old house, lying on the sofa, the pup asleep on the rug.
You again? Why? Im fine here. Just resting. He sat up. Someones taken my place.
She wont live in my house. Even if you wont come, shes not staying.
She disagrees. Freed the flat for Lily.
Get in the car. The kids brought presents. Dont forget the dog. Well sort the rest later.
Hes already waitingjumped in himself. Oliver said. Emily, Lilys calling. You left your phone.
Mum mustve got to her. Ill ignore it.
William stayed with Emily and Oliver. His ex-wife never showed again. James preferred visiting them over herno room for his family there.
Were moving, he announced one day. To be closer.
Brilliant.
Buying a flat?
No. Want a house. Got my eye on land.
Ive got land, son. If you like it, well see.
Land?
Yes. The house is rubble, but the plots good. Sell it if it doesnt suit.
Your land, my housemeans you live with us, James said.
No. Hes our dad.
No. Youve had him. Our turn.
Emily, Oliver, and James bickered playfully. No one wanted to share him. It was perfect. Only Lily stayed away.
She turned up much later, sent by her mother. James house already stood on their fathers land.
Dad, Im your only daughter. Did you build this?
No. James did.
On my land?
Yours?
Im your blood. The land should come to me.
It wont. Youll get
