Why does Mum need a twobedroom flat? Shes already sixtyfive. Shell hardly entertain anyone, and with her sisters she can have a cup of tea right in the kitchen.
Honestly, a singleroom flat would do her perfectly its enough for eyes and ears alike.
Margaret Harris knew exactly why her son Michael and daughter Olivia had turned up. The subject had flickered in Michaels mind a week earlier, when the whole family gathered to celebrate Sophies birthday the youngest granddaughter of Margaret.
Michael and Olivia had just arrived, barely starting a conversation, when a knock sounded at the door. A neighbour peered in.
Goodness, dear, Im a bit late. Youve got guests, havent you? the elderly woman said, blushing.
Just family, Nora, Margaret replied. Whats the matter?
My sewing machine jammed again the thread is all tangled, I cant pull the bobbin out. Ill pop in later, sorry, she said.
No problem, Ill have a look it wont take long, Margaret answered.
She turned back to the kitchen and addressed Michael and Olivia:
Give me five minutes with the neighbour, then you two head to the kitchen Ive already put the kettle on. Darling, tidy up a bit.
Margaret swiftly dealt with the sewing issue and hurried back home. Yet, standing in the hallway she paused, struck by what she heard.
Olivia, Ive done the maths, Michael said. We could sell this flat for at least £75,000, while the little twobedroom place mum intends to move into is only about £25,000.
And you want Mum to hand us the difference? A million each? Olivia asked.
Exactly, not a million but £125,000 each, Michael replied.
Where will she get that? Olivia pressed.
I told you Ive done the research! Why does Mum need two rooms? Shes sixtyfive. Shell hardly have visitors, and with her sisters she can have tea in the kitchen.
Honestly, a onebedroom flat would be enough for her you could even buy a decent one with a fresh fitout for about £60,000.
I was looking at places not on the outskirts but nearer the centre, in a relatively new block, close to shops and the clinic, Michael explained.
Im not sure Mum will agree, Olivia muttered.
Why not? Im opposed to the idea of her moving at all. But if shes being tugged back to her hometown, she might as well do something nice for us.
Margaret had indeed been musing about returning to her native town. When they first came to the Midlands, she was fortyfive. At that age you dont make new friends easily; shed had a few acquaintances, but thats not the same as friendships forged in youth.
She hadnt wanted to move then to quit her job, pull the children out of school and head for an unfamiliar city. Yet her husband was offered a senior post at a factory, and she consented.
Twenty years slipped by: work, children, occasional trips back home. Two years ago her husband vanished without a trace.
Her son and daughter had their own families, their own lives, and Margaret felt as if she were floating in a vacuum. When she retired, loneliness settled in, and the calls from her sisters grew louder.
She didnt wait for Olivias answer. She slammed the kitchen door shut as if shed just arrived from a storm.
Michael and Olivia were at the table. Their mother had already poured tea into mugs and sliced the sponge cake shed baked for them.
Mum, are you really set on moving? Olivia asked.
Yes. Now that your father is gone, nothing holds me here. In twenty years this place never felt like home.
What do you mean nothing holds you? Not us? Not the grandchildren? Olivia exclaimed.
Olivia, you have your own lives, your own worries. I dont want to be a burden. Your kids are grown, they no longer need a nanny. Whats left for me sitting on a bench with other retirees, strolling the park with a walking stick?
Some find that pleasant. Not me. What else is there? Books and the telly? I have sisters, plenty of acquaintances. Not far from the town, in the village, theres my parents old house where the whole family gathers each summer.
Lately I dream of walking down the main street of my hometown and everyone I meet feels familiar.
Alright, Mum, what about the flat? Michael steered the talk toward practicality.
What? Ill sell it and buy a new one, Margaret said.
Do you want a hand with the sale? Michael offered.
Ill go through an agency. The adverts already up. Ill start packing in bits and pieces.
Mum, Im not just offering help for nothing. There are crooks everywhere nowadays. You could end up penniless and flatless.
Dont worry. Lisa Coleman, the wife of Uncle James Dads deputy will help me with the sale. Remember her?
She ran her own estate office. And theres also Natashas reliable realtor they recently helped Paul buy a house Margaret explained.
How much are you planning to ask for the flat? Michael asked.
Lisa said £75,000 is a fair price, though we could list it a tad higher at first. Ive checked the sites; thats the market.
Its cheaper elsewhere, Olivia noted.
Yes, a similar twobedroom flat goes for around £50,000.
Mum, Olivia and I have a request: after you sell, could you give each of us about £25,000? Michael asked.
£25,000 each? Then I wont have enough for a new place.
Why not? You could buy something smaller, like a onebedroom.
A onebedroom would be uncomfortable for me. I need two rooms: a bedroom and a sitting room.
Some families of three live in onebedrooms, Michael retorted.
Yes, those who cant afford larger homes. I can afford a bigger one, and I dont see why I should give it up. Id like to live in comfort.
Just think of it as fairness to Olivia and me. It is still a family flat.
Michael, I never expected to discuss this, but remember the will left you everything you were due.
He didnt shortchange you. All I got was the flat. Now you want me to split it with you?
Michael didnt phrase it quite right, Olivia interjected, helping her brother. He meant you could help us if you have any money left.
He has a mortgage; Illya and I want a cottage. Not a million, even £12,500 would help.
Even if you buy a £50,000 flat, youll still have a million left, as were saying.
Yes, therell be a remainder. Ill need it for the move, for renovations, for furnishing Ill have to buy furniture and appliances.
The leftover is my safety cushion, just in case. Im not getting any younger. I dont want to become a burden if I fall ill.
So you wont give us anything? Michael asked.
Michael, Im surprised you started this chat. Youre thirtyseven, Olivia thirtyfour. Both of you are welleducated, you and your spouses work.
You still have a few years on the mortgage. But youre not struggling. If I hadnt decided to move and sell, would you have managed? Did you have a plan to relocate me into a simpler flat?
No.
Mum, sorry we brought this up, Olivia said. We just thought
You thought Mum, whos always helped you, wouldnt refuse this time, Margaret replied.
I wouldnt refuse if you truly needed it. But I think youll manage: Michael will clear the mortgage, you and Illya will save for the cottage, and everything will be fine.
Thus Margaret did as shed planned: she sold the flat, moved back to her hometown, bought a new home near the old family house where shed lived with her husband and children.
Relatives helped her settle and redecorate. Now, each morning when she wakes, Margaret feels truly at home.
