“Either you let my brother move in, or pack your things and get out!” snapped the husband.
Victoria had stayed two hours late at work. Two new clients had booked appointments after glowing recommendations from friends.
“We only want you, Victoria! Youre hands down the best hairdresser in town!” Those words had kept her smiling all the way home.
Maybe it really was time to take the leap and start her own business? Enough waiting for “the right moment.”
Lost in thought, she barely noticed the walk home. As she stepped into the hallway of their building, unfamiliar voices drifted from their flat. She pushed the door openand froze in shock. A battered rucksack lay in the corridor, muddy boots were strewn across the floor, and the stench of stale alcohol hung in the air.
“Vicky, recognise our guest? Its Chrishes back!” Her husband, Paul, peered out from the kitchen with a strange, forced smile.
Chris, Pauls younger brother, sat slumped on the kitchen bench, staring blankly at the table. The same Chris whod walked out four years ago to move in with a dancer from a nightclub.
“Hey,” Chris muttered without looking up.
“Mum, whos that?” whispered their daughter, Emily, fresh back from her dance class.
“Thats your Uncle Chris, Dads brother,” Victoria said, keeping her voice steady. “You were too little to remember himhe left when you were young.”
“Why does he look weird?” Emily lowered her voice.
“Go to your room, love. Well talk later.”
Victoria slipped into the bathroom and turned on the tap. She needed a moment to collect herself. The mirror reflected a tired face. She ran a hand through her hairthe roots needed touching up, but that was the last thing on her mind now.
Four years ago, when Chris had left, shed seen how hard it hit Paul. He hadnt spoken to his parents for a month, blaming them for driving his brother away. Then, just like that, hed buried itnever mentioning Chris, ignoring his rare calls. But now, everything had changed.
Paul followed her into the bedroom, hesitating before speaking in a low voice.
“Hes staying with us. He needs this. Just for a while. Hes in a bad way. His wife cheated on himthats why they split. He cant go to Mum and Dads.”
“And you decided that alone? Without even asking me?” Victoria spun to face him. “Dont you think thats out of order?”
“What was there to discuss? Hes my brother. Hes got nowhere else.”
“Paul, we have a teenage daughter. Have you seen the state hes in? You think its okay for her to see this every day? Chris”
“Thats exactly why he needs help! Family!” Paul finally met her eyes. “You know I cant abandon him. I wont!”
“How long?”
“As long as it takes. He needs time to sort himself out.”
“And what about Emily? Have you thought about her? Shes at that age”
“Vicky, enough!” Pauls voice rosesomething he never did. “Hes my brother. My little brother. I wont leave him alone in this.”
Victoria opened her mouththen stopped. Something in his tone made her freeze. In fourteen years together, shed never heard that edge in his voice.
“Fine,” she turned to the window. “But warn himno drinking in the house. And he finds a job.”
Paul said nothing and walked out. Through the wall, she heard him murmuring to Chris in the kitchen. Quietly. Deliberately quiet.
The kitchen clock read well past midnight when the voices finally stopped. Victoria lay awake, listening to footsteps in the hall. Paul took his timeprobably settling Chris on the sofa.
“Itll be alright,” he whispered, slipping into bed. But for the first time, she wasnt sure.
***
Morning began with the sour stench of alcohol in the kitchen. Victoria silently made Emilys breakfast, ignoring the empty bottles and overflowing ashtray.
A month in, shed grown almost used to their kitchen doubling as an all-hours pub for two.
“Mum, Im off to school,” Emily whispered, sidestepping her uncles sprawled form on the sofa, clutching her schoolbag. Lately, shed been staying outjoining clubs, hanging at friends houses.
Watching her daughter hurry out again, Victoria felt anger simmer inside.
Their “temporary” guest had shattered everything theyd builtcosy family evenings, shared meals, honest talks with Emily.
“Morning,” Paul strode in, already dressed. “Coffee left?”
“Yesterdays. In the pot,” she nodded. “We need to talk.”
“Not nowrunning late,” he grabbed a mug and grimaced at the cold coffee.
“When, Paul? Youre always late. And evenings are for Chris.”
He paused at the door. “Whatre you getting at?”
“That we need to sort this. We cant keep supporting a grown man forever. Its not right!”
“Hes depressed, Vicky. Cant you see hes a mess?”
“And what about us? About Emily, who dreads coming home? About this flat reeking of booze every morning? You”
“What about me?”
“Youve changed. Like I dont even know you anymore.”
Paul set his mug down hard. “You know what? Lets talk tonight. Calmly. No drama.”
“No. Now.” Victoria blocked his path. “I want Chris gone in a week. He can rent a place, find a jobwhatever. But not on our dime!”
“Youre serious?” Pauls eyes narrowed. “Youd throw my own brother out?”
“Im saying were not a free B&B! Hes not even trying!”
“Because he needs time! Its obvious!”
“How much? A month? A year? His whole life?” Victoria was nearly shouting. “Do you even see what this is doing to our family? Or dont you care?”
“And do you see that hes my family too? I wont abandon him like our parents didnot even if you ask me to!”
“So thats your choice?” Tears spilled down her face.
“Its not a choice, Vicky. Its duty. But you refuse to see that.”
He left, gently closing the door behind him. From the living room, Chriss snores rumbled. Victoria sank onto a chair, staring at Pauls abandoned coffee.
Hed never left without kissing her goodbye before.
***
For nearly a week, they barely spoke.
Victoria left early, came home late. Paul pretended not to noticestaying up with Chris, lost in hushed conversations.
Emily tiptoed around them, trying to ease the tension, only to be met with snapped replies: “Its fine, love. Dont worry.”
At night, lying awake, Victoria caught fragments from the kitchen: “She doesnt get it family sticks together youre too soft on her”
***
On Friday, Paul came home early. Chris was asleep in the living room; Emily was in her room with music blaring.
Victoria stirred soup on the stove, cooking always calming her thoughts.
“Ive figured it out,” Paul leaned in the doorway, confident. “A solution that works for everyone.”
She kept stirring, waiting. Silence had become easier this past week.
“Simple. Chris can stay at your flat.”
She set the spoon down slowly. That flat was her safety netleft to her by her godmother before theyd married. Hers alone. And now
“Its rented out,” she said evenly.
“So? Give them notice. Theyll find somewhere else. Whats the issue?”
“Paul, are you hearing yourself? They paid a year upfront. Theyve got kids. I wont do that. End of discussion.”
“Fine. My offer stands. Chris stays here. Also not up for debate!” He shrugged. “Your call.”
Victoria dried her hands slowly, then turned.
“Are you serious? Youd kick out a familywho pay on timeto house your brother for free?”
“What else? You wanted him gone.”
“I wanted him to grow up! Get a job, rent a placebe a man! Not mooch off us!”
“Hes depressed!”
“Really? Or just happy to live off us? Drink our wine, eat our food, sleep on our sofa!”
Pauls fists clenched. “Dont you dare talk about my brother like that! Youve no right! One more word and”
Victoria studied himfinally realising this wasnt just a phase. It was a choice. Made.
“Alright,” she smiled faintly. “I understand.”
He blinked, thrown. Hed expected screams, tears.
“What what do you understand?”
“Everything. Dinners ready. Call Chris?”
Paul lingered, confused by her calm, then left. Once alone, Victoria pulled out her phone.
