I have spent the past two years abroad, and when I return home I discover that my son has experienced a surprise. My daughter, Emily, has married a man from another countryPatrick ONeill. I move in with them, look after my granddaughter Lily, and keep the house running.
Emily and Patrick both work for the same firm in London, so they only come home in the evenings. I hope this arrangement will stay that way, but it does not. One night they tell me they no longer need my help and ask me to leave their flat. A month later I am back at my own place, only to find that I am still not welcome there.
While I am staying with Emily, my son James splits from his first wife, moves out of his flat, and moves in with me. He brings his new partner, Sarah, who is already pregnant, without ever asking my permission. What am I supposed to do? Throw James and his pregnant wife out? No. But how can the three of usand soon the four of usfit into a singleroom flat? Neither James nor I have enough pounds to rent a larger place.
I call Emily and explain the situation, hoping she will understand and invite me back. She does not; she and Patrick have a different outlook on family responsibilities.
Jamess behaviour makes sense; he never expected me to return. Now I sleep on the sofa in the kitchen, leave the house during the day to shop and visit friends. James and Sarah get along fineno argumentsbut Sarah barely acknowledges me.
Its clear she does not like having me in the flat. I never imagined that at sixty I would feel redundant and that someone else would run the household. James is only thinking about his pregnant wife and ignores the housing problem entirely.
I am looking for a parttime job and want to live on my own again. The new inlaws live out in the countryside. Should I ask Sarah to move in with my parents? Will James be able to find work there? I doubt it. I cant decide what to do next.
