Why does Mum need a twobedroom flat? Shes already sixtyfive. Shell hardly entertain guests, and with her sisters she can have a cup of tea in the kitchen.
Honestly, a onebedroom flat is more than enough for her.
Linda Oliver knows why Michael and Olivia have turned up at her doorstep. The issue flickered through Michaels mind a week ago, when the whole family gathered to celebrate the birthday of Sophie, Lindas youngest granddaughter.
Michael and Olivia have just arrived and havent even started talking when the doorbell rings. A neighbour peers in.
Oh, Linda dear, Im a bit late. You have guests, the elderly woman stammers.
Its our own, Nina, Linda replies. Whats wrong?
My sewing machine has jammed again the bobbin is stuck and I cant get it out. Ill drop by later, sorry, she says.
No problem, Ill have a look. It wont take long, Linda says.
She turns back to the kitchen and addresses Michael and Olivia:
Ill be with Nina for five minutes, so you head to the kitchen Ive already put the kettle on. Dear, make yourself at home.
Linda quickly resolves the sewingmachine issue and hurries back out. Standing in the hallway, she stops, startled by what she hears.
Ive done the maths, Michael, he says, this flat could sell for at least threemillion pounds, while the twobedroom flat Mum plans to move into is worth about onemillion.
And you want Mum to give us that difference? A million each? Olivia asks.
Exactly. Not a million, but a million twohundred thousand, Michael answers.
Where will she get that? Olivia wonders.
I told you Ive crunched the numbers! Why does Mum need two rooms? Shes sixtyfive. Shell hardly have visitors, and with her sisters she can have tea at the kitchen table.
Honestly, a onebedroom flat would be more than enough for Mum. A decent, renovated one could be bought for around sixhundred thousand.
I was looking at a property not on the outskirts but closer to the centre, in a relatively new block, with shops and a clinic nearby, he explains.
Im not sure Mum will agree, Olivia says.
Why not? Im actually against her moving. But if shes being nudged into a retirement flat, let her do something decent for us too.
Linda has lately been thinking about returning to her hometown. When she first moved to the Manchester area, she was fortyfive. At that age you dont make many friends; she had a few acquaintances, but it isnt the same as lifelong companionship.
She didnt want to move then to quit her job, pull the children out of school, and relocate to an unfamiliar city. But her husband was offered a senior position at a factory, and she accepted.
Twenty years pass: work, family, occasional trips back home. Two years ago her husband suddenly passes away.
Her son and daughter now have their own families, and Linda feels as if shes floating in a vacuum. When she retires, loneliness settles in, and the calls from her sisters become louder.
She doesnt wait for Olivias answer. She slams the kitchen door open as if shes just arrived.
Michael and Olivia are in the kitchen. Olivia has already poured tea into mugs and sliced a sponge cake that Mum baked before she got here.
Mum, are you sure you want to move? Olivia asks.
Yes. Now that your father is gone, nothing holds me here. After twenty years this place never felt like home.
What holds you? What about us? What about the grandchildren? Olivia presses.
Olivia, you have your own life and worries. I dont want to be a burden. Your kids are grown, they dont need a nanny. Why should I sit on a bench with other retirees, strolling the park with a walking stick?
Its not my thing. Whats left? Books and the telly? My sisters live nearby, lots of friends, a family house in the village where the whole clan comes for summer.
I keep dreaming Im back in the old town, walking the streets, and everyone I meet feels familiar.
Alright, Mum, what about the flat? Michael steers the conversation toward practicalities.
Ill sell this one and buy a new one, she says.
Do you want help selling it? Michael offers.
Ill use an agency. The advert is already up, so Ill start packing, she replies.
Mum, Im not just offering help for free. There are scams everywhere. You could end up with no money and no flat.
Dont worry. Lisa Cole will help me with the sale shes the wife of Uncle John, my dads deputy. Remember her?
Lisa runs her own agency. Ninas got a reliable estate agent too they just helped Paul buy a flat, Linda adds.
How much are you aiming for? Michael asks.
Lisa says threemillion is a fair price, though we could list it a bit higher first. Ive checked the property sites the market looks right, Linda explains.
The nearby flats are cheaper, Olivia notes.
Yes. A similar twobedroom flat goes for about twomillion.
Mum, Olivia and I have a request: after you sell, could you give each of us at least a million? Michael asks.
A million each? I wouldnt have enough for a new place, Linda replies.
What if you bought something smaller, like a onebedroom? Michael suggests.
A onebedroom would be uncomfortable for me. I need two rooms: a bedroom and a living room, Linda says.
Some threeperson families live in onebedroom flats, Michael counters.
Yes, those who cant afford bigger. I can afford more, and I want to live comfortably, she insists.
Mum, it would be fair to us, since its a family flat, Michael adds.
Michael, I never expected to discuss this, but remember your fathers will gave you everything you were entitled to.
He didnt shortchange anyone. All I got was this flat, and now you want me to split it with you?
Michael didnt phrase it quite right, Olivia interjects, trying to help her brother. He meant you could help us if you have any money left.
He has a mortgage, and Illya and I want to buy a holiday cottage. Even half a million would help us.
Even if you buy a twomillion flat, youll still have a million left. Thats what were talking about.
That spare million would cover the move, the renovation, and furnishing the new place Ill need furniture and appliances.
The leftover is my safety cushion, just in case. Im not getting any younger, and I dont want illness to cause problems for you or other relatives.
So you wont give us anything? Michael asks.
Michael, Im surprised you started this conversation. Youre thirtyseven, Olivia thirtyfour. Both of you are universityeducated and working.
Youll still have a few years of mortgage payments. But youre not in trouble. If I hadnt decided to move and sell, would you have managed? Did you have a plan to relocate me to a simpler flat?
No. Mum, sorry we brought this up, Olivia says. We just thought
You thought Mum, whos always helped you, would never refuse again, Linda replies.
I wouldnt refuse if you truly needed it. But I think youll manage: Michael will finish the mortgage, you and Illya will save for the cottage, and everything will be fine.
Linda does exactly what she planned: she sells the flat, relocates to her hometown, and buys a new home near the spot where she, her husband, and their children once lived. Relatives help her settle in and refurbish the place. Now, waking up each morning, Linda Oliver feels truly at home.
