We dont need Gran, the grandchildren declared at their little family meeting.
Are you mad? Thirty grand for that heap of rust? Theres barely a working part left on it! Edward Thompson slammed the bonnet of the battered old Rover shut and glared at the seller.
Its not rustits a classic, the man replied calmly, running his hand over the worn steering wheel. They dont make em like this anymore. 78 model, factory build. All the paperworks in order, fully restored. Engine purrs like a kitten.
A kitten thats stopped breathing, Edward scoffed before turning to his wife. Come on, Margaret. Im not wasting money on scrap.
Margaret sighed and gave the seller an apologetic smile. Sorry, but hes right. We need something practicalfor the cottage, for errands. This is more of a… project.
Take it, you wont regret it, the seller pressed, trying to catch her eye. Tell you whatfor you, twenty-eight grand. Final offer.
No, thank you, Margaret said firmly, tucking her arm into Edwards. Well keep looking.
They walked in silence through the garage lot. Edward was still fuming, while Margaret wondered how much longer this would drag on. Summer was coming, and they needed a way to get to the cottage. After their old Vauxhall had been written off by a drunk driver (thank heavens theyd walked away unharmed), theyd been stuck taking the bustwo changes and a long walk at the other endor paying their neighbours for lifts.
Maybe we should just take out a loan for a new one? Margaret suggested hesitantly as they left.
On our pensions? Edward snorted. No, well find something decent second-hand. Just takes patience.
But summers almost here, and the gardens not even dug, Margaret fretted, adjusting her scarf against the brisk spring wind. The kids promised to help, but you know how it is. James has work, Emilys got the children…
Exactlythe children, Edward said suddenly, brightening. What about asking Alice?
Gran Alice? My mum? Margaret stared at him. Shes eighty-two. Wheres she going?
Whats age got to do with it? Edward waved a hand. Shes fitter than I am. Does her yoga every morning, walks to the shops, meets her friends for tea. And shes got savingsremember? Always said she was putting aside a rainy-day fund. Well, its pouring.
Edward! Margaret gasped. Have you no shame? Thats her moneyshe scrimped her whole life for it. She meant it for the grandchildrens education!
And wed be spending it on them, Edward argued. Buy a car, take them to the countrysidefresh air, nature, fruit-picking. Good for their development.
Margaret shook her head but said nothing. The idea of asking her mother for money sat uneasily with her. They hardly saw her as it wasAlice lived alone in her little terraced house on the outskirts of town, and the journey to visit was a hassle. And now to turn up with hands outstretched… No, it wasnt right.
When they got home, the family had gathered for Sunday lunchJames and his wife Sophie with their fourteen-year-old, Jack; Emily and her husband Mark with the twins, Lily and Oliver, now twelve. The tradition was one Margaret had kept for years.
So, any luck with the car? James asked, helping set the table.
None, Margaret sighed. Either too expensive or falling apart.
Dads suggesting we ask Gran Alice for the money, Edward announced, striding into the kitchen. Shes got savings.
Gran Alice? Emily paused, knife hovering over the bread. Would she even agree?
I dont know, Margaret admitted. I havent asked. And Im not sure we should.
Why not? Edward sat down. Who else is she leaving it to? Us and the kids, thats who.
She always said it was for the grandchildrens university fees, Margaret reminded him.
And wed be spending it on them, Edward repeated. Driving them to the countryside, teaching them about nature. Education doesnt just happen in classrooms.
Everyone chuckled, and the conversation moved on. But after lunch, when the adults lingered over coffee and the children vanished into their screens, Edward brought it up again.
Margaret, Im serious, he said, stacking plates. We should talk to your mum. At the end of the day, its family moneyshouldnt it help the family?
Margaret hesitated. I dont know. Shes always been so independent. Hates anyone telling her what to do with her things.
Whos telling her? Wed just explain the situation. Shed understandits not like were asking for a holiday. Its practical.
That evening, as they all lounged in front of the telly, Edward suddenly announced, What if we asked Gran Alice to move in with us?
Everyone turned to stare.
With us? Margaret blinked. Edward, weve no space. Where would she sleep?
We could convert the storage room, Edward suggested. Or put a daybed in the study. She wouldnt be alone in that house, and wed know shes safe. At her age, anything could happen.
What about her house? James asked carefully.
Wed rent it out, Edward said, warming to the idea. Two-bed terraceeven on the outskirts, thats a good £1,500 a month. Theres your car money, cottage repairs, everything.
Margaret frowned. Edward, were talking about my mother, not an income stream. Thats her home. Her whole lifes there.
Oh, come off it, Edward scoffed. At her age, whats she need memories for? She needs care, company. And we could give her that.
Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but Jackusually glued to his phonelooked up.
Does Gran know about this plan?
Not yet, Edward said. Were working out how to ask her.
What if she says no? Lily piped up.
Well persuade her, Edward said confidently. Explain its for the best.
For whose best? Oliver asked quietly. Hers or ours?
The room went still. Edward cleared his throat. Hers, of course. Its hard living alone at that age.
Have you asked her if its hard? Oliver pressed. We barely visit. Just birthdays and Christmas.
Everyones busy, Margaret said weakly. Work, schoolits not easy.
Exactly, Edward jumped in. If she lived here, wed see her every day.
The grandchildren exchanged glances. Margaret noticed their lack of enthusiasm. Gran Alice was old-schoolstrict, no-nonsense, the sort who thought children spent too much time on those blinking screens and not enough reading proper books.
Maybe we should ask Gran what she wants first, Emily said, eyeing her children. She might not want to move. Shes got her routine, her friends…
Of course well ask, Margaret agreed. Ill go tomorrow.
Ill come, Edward said quickly. Two of usll convince her faster.
The next day, they drove to Alices. She welcomed them warmlytea brewing, scones fresh from the oven, Edwards favourite jam tart set out.
Howve you been, Mum? Margaret asked, helping in the kitchen. Managing alright?
Course I am, Alice said briskly. Yoga in the mornings, then the shops, then a cuppa with the girls. Life goes on.
Thats what we wanted to talk about, Edward began as they sat down. Your… situation.
Alice narrowed her eyes. Whats wrong with my situation?
Nothing! Margaret cut in. We just thought… maybe youd like to live with us? Wed make space, look after you…
Move in? With you? Alice stared. Wheres this come from?
Well, its not safe, you being alone, Edward said. At your age, anything could
Im eighty-two, not senile, Alice snapped. Then, to Margaret: And what happens to my house?
Wed rent it, Edward said casually. Extra income never hurts. Especially now, with the car and the cottage…
Ah. Alice nodded slowly. So you want the rent money.
Its not just that, Margaret said, shooting Edward a look. We worry about you.
And yet you havent visited in four months, Alice said dryly.
Everyones busy, Edward muttered. But if you lived with us
Right. Alice set down her fork. And what do the grandchildren think?
Theyre thrilled, Edward lied. Cant wait to have you around.
Alice snorted. Pull the other one. Theyre teenagerstheyve got their own lives. And Im too strict for their liking.
No, no, theyre excited, Edward insisted.
Alice stood. Tell you whatIll think about it. Give me a week.
Back home, the grandchildren were waiting, gathered in the lounge with solemn faces.
Weve had a meeting, Jack announced.
What sort of meeting? Edward frowned.
A grandchildrens meeting, Lily said. About Gran.
Margaret tensed. And?
We dont need Gran, Oliver stated. Not like this. Not as a… tenant.
Edward gaped. Whats that supposed to mean?
Its not fair, Jack explained. Thats her home. Her things, her memories. You just want the rent money for the car.
Thats not Edward began, but Lily interrupted.
Grandad, were not stupid. Youd shove her in the storage room and take her house. Hows that right?
She wouldnt be shoved
Shes eighty-two, Oliver said flatly. And you didnt even ask if we wanted her here. Its our home too.
Margaret looked at themreally looked. When had they grown so wise?
Edward sank into his armchair. So what, we leave her alone in that house?
No, Oliver said. We visit more. All of us. Take turnsweekends, maybe Wednesdays. Invite her for Sunday roasts. But not forever. She needs her own space.
Margarets eyes pricked. Theyd seen clearer than the adults.
That night, she lay awake, thinking of her motheralone in that little house, of how rarely theyd visited, how selfish their plan had been.
In the morning, she called.
Mum, weve changed our minds. But wed like to see you more. Would that be alright?
Alice chuckled. Course it would. Truth be told, I wasnt moving anyway. But seeing the little ones more? Thats lovely.
And… about the car, Alice added. Ive been thinking. I could help. Not a loana gift. Family should look after family.
Margaret swallowed hard. No, Mum. Keep your savings. Well manage.
Whats left to save for at my age? Alice laughed. Rainy days are behind me. All I want now is sunshineand my grandchildren.
As she hung up, Margaret smiled. The children had been right. They didnt need Gran as a landlord or a burden.
They needed her as Gran.
And the car? Theyd figure it out.
After all, happiness wasnt in a set of wheelsbut in a family that knew what truly mattered.
