I miss home so much, mate, Ill tell you…
Victor Smith stepped out onto the little patio, lit up a cigarette, and collapsed onto the battered wooden stool. He felt this bitter lump rising in his throat, tried to pull himself together, but his hands were trembling betraying him. Can you imagine? He never thought there would be a time he didnt feel at home in his own flat…
Dad, will you please not be upset and start losing it? Laura, Victors eldest daughter, rushed outside. Im honestly not asking for the moon. Just let us have your room, thats it! If you dont care about me, at least think about your grandkids. The boys start school soon, but were all crammed in one bedroom
Laura, Im not going to a care home, Victor said, keeping his cool. If its too tight here for you and the children, why not move to Michaels mums place? Shes in a three-bed, on her own. Youd have your separate rooms, so would the lads.
You know perfectly well I couldnt last a week under the same roof as her! Laura snapped, slamming the patio door behind her.
Victor stroked his old dog, Bailey the faithful companion he and his late wife had loved for so many years and suddenly the tears started. He always teared up thinking of Nancy. Shed passed away five years ago, left him on his own… After she left, he felt completely orphaned. Theyd always had each other. Whod have thought hed end up lonely in his old age, even with his daughter and grandchildren around.
Theyd raised Laura with all the love they had, tried to teach her kindness. Clearly, something slipped through the cracks… She grew up selfish, ruthless.
Bailey whimpered softly and curled up by Victors feet. The old boy could sense his owners sadness, and suffered along with him.
Grandad, do you not love us at all? Victors eight-year-old grandson, Ben, wandered in.
What? Whos put that nonsense in your head? Victor was stunned.
Why wont you move out? Are you really so mean you wont give me and James the room? Why are you so greedy? Ben glared at his grandad a look of scorn and anger.
Victor wanted to explain, but realised those werent the boys words, they were Laura’s. Shed already got started on him…
Fine. Ill go, Victor said quietly, defeated. Ill give you the room.
He couldnt stay in that flat anymore. He knew now everyone in that house hated him. From his son-in-law who hadnt spoken to him in ages, down to his grandson whod been made to believe Grandad stole the room.
Are you serious? Laura burst in, delighted.
I am, Victor replied, barely audible. Just promise you wont mistreat Bailey. I feel rotten leaving him
Oh stop it, Laura shot back. Of course well look after Bailey, take him out loads. And well visit you at weekends, with Bailey. Honestly. Ive found this lovely care home for you, youll see, youll be comfortable there.
Two days later, Victor was packed off to the care home. Turns out Laura had sorted it all behind his back and just needed him to surrender. When he walked into his new room it was stuffy, damp and crawling with bedbugs, nothing like the fancy place Laura had described. It was the council-run care home full of people with nowhere else to go.
Once hed unpacked, he shuffled outside and sat on a bench, tears brimming. He looked at the helpless old folk all about, and wondered desperately what kind of miserable existence awaited him.
Are you the new gent? a sweet, elderly lady sat down next to him.
Guess so Victor sighed.
Dont get so down I cried for ages myself, until I just accepted it. Im Valerie, she smiled.
Victor, he replied. Were you sent here by your own kids too?
No, nephew. I never had children. Decided to leave my flat to my nephew. Bit too hasty, I think Hes taken the flat, dumped me here. Still, better than being homeless.
They chatted until late evening, reminiscing about their youth and lost loved ones. The next morning, after breakfast, they went for another walk together.
Valerie brought some joy, some colour, to Victors grey days. He couldnt bear staying inside all his time, he spent outdoors. The food was vile, he barely ate, just enough to get by.
Victor kept hoping Laura would change her mind, miss him, and bring him home. Time went by not a word. One day, he tried ringing home to ask about Bailey, but no one answered.
One afternoon, Victor spotted his neighbour, Stephen Miller, near the entrance. Stephen did a double take, then hurried over.
So this is where youre hiding! he exclaimed. Why did your daughter say youd moved to a cottage in the country? I knew something was fishy, youd never chuck Bailey out on the street.
What do you mean? Victor asked. Whats happened to Bailey?
Dont worry, we got him into a shelter. But I saw Bailey sat outside your building for days, and you weren’t anywhere. I asked Laura, wanted to make sure you were okay she told me youd moved to the countryside, and shes selling the flat to move in with her husband. Said the dog was old, and you couldnt be bothered with him. What actually happened, Victor?
Victor told him everything, how hed given up his own happiness in a moment hed never get back. Not only had Laura forced him out of his life, shed kicked Bailey out too.
I just want to go home, son, Victor murmured.
Well, as it happens, thats exactly why Im here. Im a solicitor, I defend older folks rights all the time. Working with another chap right now whose house neighbours tried to nick. As I see it, you’ve not officially signed yourself out?
No, not unless she did it without telling me. At this stage, I dont know what Lauras capable of
Get your things my cars out front, Stephen insisted. This cant go on, shes not acting like much of a daughter
Victor dashed inside, grabbed his bits, and was soon back downstairs. At the entrance, he bumped into Valerie.
Val, Im going. Met my neighbour, turns out my daughter kicked my dog out and is selling my flat thats the situation, Victor told her.
Oh lord, really? Valerie said, lost for words. And me?
Dont worry, Ill sort everything, and come back for you, Victor promised.
Do you really mean that? Whod want me? Valerie replied sadly.
Sorry, Ive got to rush, dont be sad, Ill keep my promise.
Victor couldnt get back into his flat. The locks were changed, no keys. Stephen took him in, and pretty soon found out Laura had moved out days ago, was staying with her mother-in-law, and let the flat to tenants.
Thanks to Stephen, Victor managed to reclaim his home.
Thank you mate, Victor said. But, Im not sure how to carry on She wont quit until shes driven me away for good.
Theres one way: sell the flat, give Laura her share, and use the rest to buy somewhere for you. Should be easy enough to find a tidy little house in the countryside, Stephen suggested.
Thats brilliant, Victor beamed. Perfect.
Three months later, Victor moved into a new cottage. Stephen was there for him throughout, even helped move Victor and Bailey. Lets make one stop first, Victor asked.
From afar, Victor spotted Valerie, sat on their old bench, staring out at nothing.
Valerie! he called. Bailey and I have come for you. Weve got a cottage in the country now clean air, fishing, hedgerow berries, mushrooms, all at our doorstep. Lets go, eh? Victor grinned.
How am I going to do that? Valerie faltered.
Just get up and come with us, Victor laughed. Come on! Theres nothing left for us here.
All right, give me ten minutes, Valerie smiled through tears.
Ill wait! Victor laughed back.
Against all the odds and nastiness of others, they found their way back to happiness. They realised goodness is still out there, more than enough to go round. Victor and Valerie learnt that for themselves, fought for their dignity and found peace at last.
