My brothers wife, pregnant again, demanded that we give them our flat.
Ive been married for a decade now. My husband and I live together in a modest two-bedroom flat in London, faithfully chipping away at our mortgage. We havent quite built up the courage to have children; wed rather stand solidly on our own before venturing down that road. My brotherJamesis married too. They squeeze into a tiny bedsit somewhere in South London. James works himself to the bone with two full-time jobs and bits of side work. His wife, Wendy, doesnt work at all. She just keeps having children at a pace that seems almost impossible. Theyve got three already, shes expecting a fourth, and dreams of a fifth.
On top of all the children, theyve also taken out loans for all sorts of home gadgets. My husband and I help as much as we can, sometimes slipping them a bit of cash, other times turning up with bags of shopping. Now and again, Wendy has the nerve to demand help instead of asking politely.
We have to snap her back to reality and say no. Predictably, she and James sulk, but within weeks, they circle back with fresh requests.
You and your husband dont have any children, and well soon have four, Wendy announced recently, her voice cool and matter-of-fact. You need to give us your flat.
What are we meant to do? I asked in disbelief. Move into your bedsit?
No, youll rent it out. You two can become tenants elsewhere, she answered, absolutely convinced. Then she pressed, So, when will you move out?
You know what? I replied, See if you can get an appointment at a psychiatric ward. And get out of my home.
Ill lose the baby, and that will be your fault! she shouted, and stormed off.
That very day, she went and did just thatsecretly, quietly, only three months gone.
At two in the morning, James turned up and let loose a flood of accusations. My husband quickly stepped in, demanded to know what was going on. I told him. He calmly dunked James head in a sink of cold water a few times until he stopped shouting, and sent him out into the cold. Since that night, I havent had a brother.
