Why does Mum need a twobedroom flat? Shes already sixtyfive. Shell hardly have visitors, and with her sisters she can still sit in the kitchen and have a cuppa. Frankly, a onebedroom will do her perfectly well, and a decent, refurbished one could be had for about six hundred pounds.
Margaret Ellis knew why her son and daughter had turned up at her house. The issue had flashed through Michaels mind a week earlier, when the whole family gathered to celebrate the birthday of little Sophie, Margarets youngest granddaughter.
Michael and Olivia had barely set foot in the sittingroom before the doorbell rang. Their neighbour, Mrs. Nolan, peered in.
Oh dear, Margaret, Im half an hour early. Youve got guests, havent you? the elderly lady said, blushing.
Its family, Nancy, Margaret replied. Whats the matter?
My sewing machine jammed again the thread is tangled and I cant get the bobbin out. Ill pop round later, sorry, she muttered.
No worries, Ill have a look in a minute, Margaret said.
She turned back to the kitchen and addressed Michael and Olivia:
Ill be with the neighbour for five minutes. The kettles on, love. Make yourselves at home, sweetheart.
Margaret sorted the sewing machine quickly and hurried back. Standing in the hallway, she stopped when she heard Michaels voice.
Olivia, Ive done the maths. This flat could fetch at least three hundred thousand pounds, whereas the twobedroom shes planning to move into would only be worth about a hundred thousand, he said.
And you want Mum to hand us the difference? A hundred thousand each? Olivia asked.
Exactly. Not a hundred thousand, but a hundred and twentythousand each, Michael replied.
Where will she get that? Olivia pressed.
I chimes in, Why does Mum need two rooms? Shes sixtyfive. She wont be entertaining many guests, and with her sisters she can still have a sitdown in the kitchen.
Honestly, a onebedroom will be more than enough for her. You could even buy a decent, newly renovated one for about six hundred pounds, Michael added.
I was looking at places nearer the centre, in a relatively new block, so shops and the clinic are close, Olivia explained.
Im not sure Mum will agree, Olivia mused.
Why not? Im actually against her moving at all. But if shes being pushed into a retirement home, she might as well make a decent choice for herself.
Margaret had indeed been contemplating a return to her hometown for some time. When she and her husband first moved out to the Yorkshire countryside, she was fortyfive. At that age you dont make many new friends; she had a few acquaintances, but they werent the sort of lifelong mates you grow up with.
She hadnt wanted to relocate back then quitting her job, pulling the kids out of school, and heading to an unfamiliar town seemed daunting. Yet when her husband was offered a senior post at a local mill, she agreed.
Twenty years passed: work, family, occasional trips back to the old neighbourhood. Two years ago her husband died unexpectedly.
Their son and daughter had started their own families, and Margaret felt adrift. When she retired, the quiet grew, and the calls from her sisters grew more frequent.
She didnt wait for Olivias reply. She slammed the kitchen door open as if shed just arrived.
Michael and Olivia were at the table. Olivia had poured tea and sliced the Christmas cake Margaret had baked before they got there.
Mum, are you sure you want to move? Olivia asked.
Yes. With your father gone, theres nothing keeping me here. After twenty years this place never felt like home.
What about us? The grandchildren? Olivia protested.
Olivia, you have your own lives, your own worries. I dont want to be a burden. Your kids are grown; they dont need a nanny. Whats left for me? Sitting on a bench with other retirees, strolling the park with a stick?
Some people like that. Not me. What else is there? Books and the telly? My sisters live nearby, with plenty of acquaintances. Not far from the town, in the village, theres my parents old house where the whole family gathers each summer.
I keep dreaming Im back in the hometown, walking the main street, and everyone I meet seems familiar, I said, nudging the conversation toward the practical.
What about the flat? Michael asked.
Ill sell it and buy a new one, Margaret replied.
Do you want a hand with the sale? Michael offered.
Im using an agency. The advertisement is already online. Ill start sorting things out slowly.
Dont forget, there are scams everywhere. You could end up with no money and no flat, Michael warned.
Dont worry. Lisa Cole will help me shes the wife of Uncle John, my brotherinlaw. Remember her? Margaret said.
She runs her own estate office. Natashas also a reliable agent they just helped Paul buy a place, she added.
How much are you aiming for? Michael asked.
Lisa says three hundred thousand is a fair price, though we could list a bit higher at first. Ive checked the listings myself thats the market, Margaret explained.
Olivia replied, Flat prices are lower over there.
Yes, a similar twobedroom goes for around two hundred thousand.
Mom, Olivia and I have a favour to ask: after you sell, could you give each of us about a hundred thousand? Michael asked.
A hundred thousand? Id barely have enough for a new flat then.
Why not? You could buy a smaller onebedroom, Olivia suggested.
A onebedroom would be cramped for me. I need two rooms a bedroom and a sitting room, Margaret said.
Some families of three live in onebedrooms, Michael countered.
Those who cant afford bigger places. I can afford a better flat, and I dont understand why I should give that up. I want to live comfortably.
It would be fair to us, since its a family flat, Michael pressed.
Michael, I never expected to discuss this, but remember the will you and Olivia inherited everything your father left, Margaret reminded them.
He wasnt stingy. All I got was this flat, and now you want me to split it with you?
Michael misphrased his request, and Olivia stepped in. He meant you could help us if you have any spare cash.
Ive got a mortgage, and Illya and I want a cottage. Even five hundred thousand would help us.
Even if you buy a twomillion flat as you plan, youll still have a million left over. Thats what were talking about.
Yes, therell be a remainder. Ill need it for the move, for renovations, and for furnishing the new place Ill have to buy furniture and appliances.
The leftover is my safety net, just in case I fall ill. Im not getting any younger, and I dont want to be a problem for you or anyone else.
So you wont give us anything? Michael asked.
Michael, Im surprised you brought this up. Youre thirtyseven, Olivia thirtyfour. Both of you are welleducated and employed, Margaret replied.
You still have years left on the mortgage. But youre not struggling. If I hadnt decided to move and sell, would you have managed? Did you have any plan to relocate me to a simpler flat?
No, Margaret said.
Sorry we pressed the issue, Olivia said. We just thought.
You thought Mum, whos always helped you, would never say no, Margaret answered.
I wouldnt refuse if you truly needed it. But I think youll manage on your own: Michael will keep up the mortgage, Illya and I will save for the cottage, and things will be fine.
Margaret did exactly what shed planned: she sold the flat, moved back to her hometown of Bristol, and bought a new flat close to the old family house where she and her late husband had lived. Relatives helped her settle in and redecorate. Now, waking up each morning, Margaret feels truly at home.
