Ten years had passed since Victoria and Edward tied the knot.
Victoria had a mother and a stepfather, Thomas Whitmore, who had raised her since she was three. Her younger brother, James, wasnt Thomass by blood, but neither was she. Only her sister, Eleanor, was truly his, yet he had never treated any of them differently.
When Victoria married and moved in with Edward, Eleanor was only eight. Edward took to Thomas immediatelyno surprise, for Thomas had a gift for speaking to anyone, young or old, as an equal. He found common ground with everyone. Edwards own father was long gone, and his mother had moved in with his grandmother when she fell ill, never returning. She left the family home to him.
Victoria and Edward made it their own, with Thomass help. Her mother, however, grumbledhow could her daughter leave London for some village?
*”Mum, its a proper town. Theres even a few blocks of flats in the centre!”*
*”Youre in a cottage. That makes it the countryside.”*
Ten years rolled by. Their son and daughter grew, James moved to Manchester after university, and Eleanor married. With no home of their own, the newlyweds rented a flatpaid for by Eleanors parents.
*”Let them stay with us,”* Thomas said to his wife.
*”I dont mind, but we need to talk.”*
*”About what?”*
*”Why did you change jobs?”*
*”Weve been over this. The children earn their own keep now. Two jobs were too muchespecially after I took ill. Expenses arent what they used to be.”*
*”Eleanor needs a flat.”*
*”She has a husband.”*
*”Dont forget, youve lived in my house your whole life.”*
*”Here we go again. Youll hold that over me till the day I die.”*
*”Choose! Work to buy our daughter a flat or”*
*”Choose what? Work myself to death or what?”*
*”Or leave.”*
*”You know I cant keep working like this.”*
*”Then Ill file for divorce. Go. Youve still got that old place.”*
*”The cottage? Have you seen it? Its fallen apart over the years.”*
*”Not my concern. You refused to sell it.”*
Thomas packed his essentials in silence.
*”Take everything, or Ill toss the rest.”*
*”Weve spent a lifetime together. Youre retiring next year. Im sixty-three.”*
*”Shouldve married younger. No one else wouldve taken me with two children in tow.”*
*”Are you calling our children burdens?”* Thomas sighed. *”Ill go. Ill fetch the rest within the week. Bear with me…”*
Later, Victorias son asked, *”Mum, wheres Grandad?”*
*”You know hes not your real grandfather.”*
*”What difference does that make? Hes my grandad.”*
*”Weve separated. Eleanor and her husband are moving in.”*
*”What? Wheres Grandad?”*
*”At the cottage.”*
*”And Eleanor agreed to send him there? How could you?”*
*”Why do you care so much?”*
*”Its heartless. Does James know?”*
*”Why bother him? Hes far off.”* She frowned. *”Why are you even here?”*
*”Just visiting. Were on holiday tomorrow, then stopping by Jamess.”*
*”What do you want from me? Ive repairs to pay forEleanors expecting. Dont ask for money.”*
*”We didnt come for that. Weve enough. The children are coming with us. When were you going to tell us about the divorce?”*
*”Why should I? Hes only Eleanors father.”*
*”When he loved and provided, he was family. Now hes a stranger? Thats not right, Mum.”*
*”Dont you judge me! I did my best for you!”*
Edward stepped back inside. Hed left earlier when he realised Thomas was goneno answer on his mobile, which he rarely carried. But by luck, hed called the landline.
*”Of course, its not my place to judge. He was the one who did right by us. Time will tell.”*
He took Victorias hand. *”Come on. Ive found out where he is. Kidsin the car. Were going to Grandads.”*
*”You found him?”*
*”Barely got it out of him. He didnt want to worry us.”*
*”Youre brilliant. I never even knew the address.”*
They found Thomas outside the crumbling cottage.
*”Grandad, does a wicked granny live here?”* the children teased.
*”No. She stayed in London.”*
Victoria and Edward laughed, though Thomass spirits were low. He brightened at their arrival but couldnt hide his sorrow.
*”Why did you come?”*
*”How could we leave you here? You didnt even tell us!”*
*”No need to trouble you. Your mother made herself clear.”*
*”I understand her now. But how will you manage here? Did you bring everything?”*
*”What little I had. The place is barejust old crockery. But Ill manage.”*
*”No, you wont. Pack your things. Youre coming home with us.”*
*”I cant. Theres someone else…”*
*”We see that. We never got round to getting a dog. The kids have begged for years.”*
*”Someone dumped him. Just a pup…”*
*”Bring him too. Hell guard the house.”*
Tears welled in Thomass eyes.
*”Dad, were away for ten days tomorrow. Youre in charge. Theres food, shops nearby, and money left. Well see James. Just keep your phone on…”*
Upon their return, Victoria called out, *”Dad, were back!”*
But it wasnt Thomas who greeted themit was her mother.
*”Mum! What are you doing here? Wheres Dad?”*
*”I came to check on the house. Then I found a strangerand a dog!”*
*”Where is he?”* Edward demanded.
*”Eleanors moved into my flat. Ill live with you now. Close enough to town.”*
*”Youre not staying,”* Edward said firmly.
*”Victoria! How dare he speak to me like that?”*
*”Mum, youre leaving. Dont unpack.”*
They found Thomas back at the cottage, the pup curled at his feet.
*”You again? Im fine here. Just resting,”* he said weakly. *”Theres no room for me there now.”*
*”Nor for her. With us or not, she doesnt belong in my home.”*
*”She thinks otherwise. Gave the flat to Eleanor.”*
*”Come home. The kids brought gifts. And dont forget the dog.”*
*”Hes waiting in the car already,”* Edward said. *”Vicky, Eleanors calling. Left your phone in the car.”*
*”Mums probably ranting. Ill ignore it.”*
Thomas stayed with them for good. His ex-wife never reappeared. James visited them instead of herthere was no room for his family at hers.
One day, James announced, *”Were moving closer.”*
*”Brilliant.”*
*”Buying a place?”*
*”No. Want land. A proper house.”*
*”Ive land, son. If youd like it.”*
*”You do?”*
*”The cottage is gone, but the plot remains. If its not to your taste, sell it.”*
*”Your land, my homemeans you live with us,”* James said.
*”No. Hes our dad,”* Victoria cut in.
*”Enoughhes been with you. Now its our turn.”*
They bickered fondly, none willing to share him. Life was goodsave for Eleanor, who stayed away.
When she finally came, it was at her mothers urging. Jamess house now stood on Thomass land.
*”Dad, Im your only daughter. Did you build this new house?”*
*”No. Its Jamess.”*
*”On my land?”*
*”Yours?”*
*”Im your blood. The land should be mine.”*
*”It wont. Youll get
