The Country House Conundrum A Daughter Takes Back Her Own
Olivia, you must understand, its a dire situation, sighed Robert Jameson, massaging his temples. Lindas been at me for two months straight.
Something about a study programme in Cyprus she found for Thomas our son. She says the lad needs a head start, better English, a chance at a proper education. But where am I to find the money? You know Im not exactly flush at the moment.
Olivia lifted her gaze towards her father, eyes cool.
And youve decided that selling the country house is the best solution? she asked in a calm, low voice.
What other option is there? her father suddenly perked up, leaning forward. The house just sits there unused. Linda cant stand the place, she finds it boring always whinging about the mosquitoes and the weather
She has no idea its not even mine anymore, you know. Thinks well just stick it on the market and everythingll be grand.
He mustered a conspiratorial smile. Liv, youre a clever girl. Heres the thing: you officially sell the place. Youll reclaim every penny you loaned me ten years ago, right down to the last pound! And anything on topwhat the house has gained on the markethand that over to me. Family business, you see.
You wont lose anything, will you? You get your money back, and help your dad while youre at it.
Hed turned up uninvited, as usual. Their relationship had become sparse over the yearshed started another family long ago, and Olivia hardly fit into his new world.
Still, shed suspected he wasnt visiting for tea. Olivia had guessed hed want money, but his offer felt even stranger than that.
Dad, lets talk about what happened a decade ago, she said as he finished. You came to me and said you needed money for surgery and rehabilitation. Remember?
Roberts face twitched in discomfort.
Why drag up the past now? You know I pulled through, didnt I?
The past? Olivia echoed, with an ironic smirk. That was all the money Id managed to save over five yearsevery pound for my first flats deposit. I took weekend shifts, skipped holidays, scrimped and saved. And then you came along: no job, no savings, but you had Linda and Thomas.
You took everything I had.
I was desperate, Liv! What else was I meant to dojust give up and die?
I offered to help, Olivia continued, ignoring him. But I told you honestlyI was scared of being left penniless and homeless if the worst happened.
You had your new wife to look after you. Shed have locked me out of that country house without a thought.
We argued for a whole week, remember? You refused to write an IOU, said it was insulting.
How could you not trust your own father? you said. But all I wanted was a bit of security.
You got your security, didnt you? Robert snapped. We made it official; you bought the house for a pittancethe money I used for my treatment. But you agreed I could keep using it, and that Id buy it back when I could.
Its been ten years, Dad, Olivia cut in. Ten years. Did you ever once mention buying it back? Ever even repay so much as a pound? No. You spent every summer there, growing your tomatoes, burning firewood I paid for. All the taxes were on me. I even fixed the leaking roof three years agoalso on me.
You lived there as if you owned it, never a word of thanks, while I struggled with my mortgage.
Robert dabbed his brow with a handkerchief.
I couldnt work, Livyou know that. After the chemo, it took ages to recover, and now, at my age, nobody wants to hire me.
And Lindashes delicate you know. The office work wears her down. We scrape by on what she sells online. Doesnt go far.
Delicate! Olivia stood and paced the tiny kitchen, each step sharper than the last. So Im meant to be thick-skinned? Work two jobs to pay off my mortgage and keep your sanatorium running?
And now Lindas decided its time to sell the house, so her darling son can trot off to Cyprus on some fancy course?
My house, Dad! Mine!
He held his hands up, placating. Livvy, officiallyyes, its yours. But you know it was supposed to be temporary.
Im your father. I gave you life! Are you really going to quibble over square feet, when your brother needs opportunities?
My brother? Olivia stopped dead. Weve met, what, twice? Hes never once wished me happy birthday. And Linda? Shes never asked how I am, never checked how Ive juggled these payments all these years.
She still imagines youre the owner of factories and fleetsjust temporarily down on your luck. Youve lied to her for ten years, Dad.
Robert looked away, guilt clear on his face.
I only meant well Didnt want to upset her, you see. Shed have a fit if she knew I transferred the deeds.
Transferred to someone external, you mean?
Liv, dont nitpick! he suddenly shouted. Its a business proposal! The house is worth five times more now. The markets soared.
You take your £30,000the money that paid for my operation. Thats fair, right? Thats your due! Then the extra £70,000give that to me.
I need to sort out Thomass school, get Lindas teeth sorted, and the carwell, its on its last legs. £70,000 wont break you. Youve got your flat in London, youre sorted.
Help your family!
Olivia gazed at himthis was not the man who once sat at her bedside reading fairy tales.
No, she said evenly.
What do you mean, no? Robert stared, open-mouthed.
I wont sell the house. And I definitely wont give you any extra money.
I own that house, both legally and morally.
You lived there for a decade, got your health back, enjoyed the peace of the countryside. Take that as my support for you. But no more.
You cant be serious, Roberts face flushed a deep red. Youre taking everything from your old man?
If not for me, thered be no house in the first place! My fatheryour grandfatherbuilt it!
Exactly, Olivia replied. Granddad. And hed be spinning in his grave if he knew you wanted to flog our family home for some dubious Cypriot course for a boy who at nineteen hasnt lifted a finger to help.
Olivia! yelled her father, leaping up. You owe me! I raised you! If you dont agree, Ill tell everyone what a miser you are. Linda will hear the lot, and shell give you hell for it!
Well go to court! Well get the sale overturnedcall it a predatory deal! You used my illness to swindle the house!
Olivia gave a wry smile.
Go ahead, Dad. Ive got all the clinic bills, all the bank transfers in your name. Not to mention the contract you signed, with the solicitor, fully compos mentis.
And by the way, Linda will be interested to hear you sold the house back when Thomas was just starting primary. Didnt you tell her it was your inheritance?
Robert wilted. Olivia please. Lindas had a tough run lately If she finds out, shell throw me out. Shes fifteen years younger, only with me for the security.
If theres no house, no cashshell have no use for me. Do you want your father on the street in his old age?
Shouldnt you have thought of that sooner? Olivia replied, her anger rising. When you stopped working for ten years? When you let Linda rack up debts? When you promised her the earth on my account?
So you wont help? Robert straightened, his voice hard. Some daughter you are. I was a fool for raising you…
Go home, Dad. Its time to tell Linda the truth. Thats the only way youll keep a shred of self-respect.
Choke on that house, then! he spat as he brushed past her. But dont forget: you havent got a father anymore. Dont ever call me again!
He slammed the door behind him, and Olivia let out a quiet, bitter laugh. As if hed ever really been there for her, anyway.
Hed walked out on her when she was seven.
***
The phone rang on Saturday morninga number she didnt recognise.
Hello?
Is this Olivia? The sharp, nasal voice was unmistakableher stepmother, Linda. Just who do you think you are, you little madam?
Thought we wouldnt find out how you swindled poor Rob? He told me everything! Got him to sign those papers right after anaesthetic, didnt you!
Good morning to you too, Linda, Olivia replied levelly. If you want to talk, can we do so without shouting?
Talk? Weve drawn up legal papers already! Our solicitor says that dodgy sale wont stand up for a minute. You took advantage of a sick man, stole the family home for a song. Well see you in the gutter!
Linda, listen carefully. I know Robert has told you his side. But I have all the proof; the money went to his medical treatment. Plus, Ive got years of messages from him, thanking me for maintaining the place and letting him stay there.
In black and white: Thank you, Liv, for not abandoning me, and for keeping the house safe.
What do you reckon a court will say?
There was silence; Linda was clearly taken aback.
You greedy cow, she hissed finally. Isnt your flat enough? Do you have to take everything from Thomas too? He needs to get an education!
Thomas needs to find a job, Olivia replied flatly. Like I did at his age.
And Linda, its time you learned the truth. Remember the shares Robert told you about? The investments?
What shares? Lindas voice shook.
The imaginary ones. He just passed off the money I sentas helpas his own dividends. Check your bank statements if you dont believe me. He was begging me for money, always blaming his health.
I fell into debt, thinking I was saving my fathers life. I only found out the whole truth recently.
Linda hung up. That evening, Olivia received a terse text from her father:
Youve ruined everything.
***
She didnt reply. A few days later, Olivia heard from the neighbours that Linda had thrown one of her legendary fits at the country house.
Shed screamed abuse, tossed Roberts things out of windows, and the police had been called.
Turned out, Linda had already taken out a massive high-interest loan in anticipation of the sale, to fund Thomass new beginning.
Robert was forced to leave. Linda filed for divorce once she realised just how deep his deception ran.
Thomas, used to the easy life, offered no support and quickly moved in with his girlfriend, declaring, Its all your own fault, old man.
As for Robert, Olivia didnt know where hed gone and had no intention of finding out.
Sometimes, doing the right thing means putting yourself first and learning that people who truly value you will not ask you to sacrifice your happiness for their own mistakes. Letting go, especially of those who only take, can free you to build a life you truly deserve.
