24October2023
Dear Diary,
My soninlaw, the renovation consultant, arrived at the house with his young wife and I was stunned by her demands. £20,000 for a consultation? Have you lost your mind? I exclaimed.
The consultant, a poised young woman in a smart suit, calmly gathered her paperwork.
Its the standard rate. If youre not happy, you can look elsewhere.
I will! she snapped, snatching her handbag and heading for the door. What a ripoff!
She fled the office, the October rain drizzling down the street. Outside she dialed my number.
Dad, it didnt work out. The consultant quoted an astronomical sum. Ill have to sort the repairs myself.
My dear Evelyn, dont worry, I replied, unusually upbeat. Ive met someone who can help.
Someone? she asked, wary. Who?
Come over this evening. Ill introduce you.
Before I could finish, the call dropped. Evelyn stood in the rain, feeling a chill settle deep inside her. It had been a year and a half since my wife Nina passed away. Could I really have already found a new companion?
That evening Evelyn arrived at my flat on the fifth floor. I opened the door in my tie and freshly pressed shirt; at sixtytwo I still looked younger than my age.
Come in, love, I said, visibly excited. I want you to meet Alice.
Alice stepped out of the kitchena tall, slender woman in a formfitting dress, hair cut just above the shoulders, bright makeup. She could not have been more than thirtyfive.
Hello, Evelyn, she said, extending a hand. Im Alice. Lovely to meet you.
Evelyn shook her hand automatically, her fingers cold, nails painted a long, glossy black.
Nice to meet you, she replied.
Sit down, please, I urged. Evelyn, have a seat too. Ill get the tea!
Alice perched on the sofa, crossing her legs. I took a seat opposite, studying the stranger.
Your father talks about you all the time, Alice began. He says youre a clever one. Do you work at a bank?
Yes, Evelyn answered shortly.
Wonderful! I used to work at a bank myself, long ago, before I moved on to other things.
What kind of things?
All sorts, Alice waved her hand. You know how life is.
Evelyn nodded, though she couldnt quite follow. At forty shed spent her whole career in one place, building a steady path.
I disappeared into the kitchen with biscuits, homemade jam, and a teapot, bustling like a groom on his wedding day.
Help yourselves! Evelyn, try the jamAlice made it herself!
Evelyn bit into a dry biscuit, while Alice sipped tea, smiling.
Victor, darling, wheres the sugar? I cant have tea without it!
Just a moment, I called, rushing back.
Seeing me in such a flurry was a new sight; Id always been restrained and dignified. Yet now I darted about, eyes glued to Alice.
Dad, can we talk alone? Evelyn asked as I returned with the sugar bowl.
Of course, love. Whats on your mind?
Just us, she whispered.
I hesitated, glanced at Alice, who rose gracefully.
Nothing to worry about, Victor. Ill head to the bathroom and freshen up.
She swayed away, hips swaying. I watched her leave, then turned back to Evelyn.
Dad, who is this woman? Where did she come from?
I wanted to tell you Alice and I have been seeing each other for three months.
Three months? And you didnt say a word?
I didnt want to upset you. I thought Id wait until things felt serious.
How serious?
I cleared my throat, adjusted my tie.
Were getting married.
A gasp escaped Evelyn.
Married? Youve only known her three months!
I know. But Im not a boy any more, Evelyn. Im sixtytwo and I know what I want.
What do you want? A young wife?
Evelyn! I snapped, irritated. Dont speak like that. Alice is a good person.
Good, huh? How old is she?
Thirtyeight.
Twentyfour years younger! Isnt that odd?
Love doesnt count the years.
Evelyn closed her eyes, thinking of love. My heart had seemed to leap back to boyhood.
Dad, you know its only a year and a half since Mum died, right?
Exactly. I missed her. I felt lonely. Then I met Alice. She understood me, supported me.
We met in the park, you say?
Yes, we were both walking, started talking, then began dating.
Alice returned from the bathroom, scented with perfume, looking revitalised.
So, did you discuss everything? she asked, sitting beside me and laying a hand on my shoulder.
Yes, Evelyn stood. I have to go. Im up early tomorrow.
Hold on, Evelyn! I called, also standing. I have one more thing. Alice is moving in next week.
Evelyn froze at the doorway.
Here? Into this flat?
Yes. Where else would she go?
But this is Mums flat yours and hers
It was hers. Now its mine. And Alices.
I left without a proper goodbye. The walk home was a blur of anger and sorrow. My father was marrying a woman half my age whod known me for barely three months.
I called my brother, Andrew, who lives in York and visits rarely.
Andy, did you hear Dads new lady?
Yes, Alice, right?
What do you think?
Hes an adult. He has the right to his own life.
Shes after the money!
What money? Dads pension and the flat. Thats all he has.
The flat is a threebedroom place in the city centre. Its worth a decent sum!
So what? Shes marrying him, not the flat.
Andy, are you really that naive?
Andrew sighed.
Evelyn, stop dramatizing. Well see what happens.
I hung up, feeling the tension coil inside me. Memories of Mum surgedNina, kind and caring, whod spent thirtyfive years with me, raised us, worked as a nurse, fell ill a year ago and died of cancer. Id cared for her until the end, holding her hand as she whispered, Dont leave me, love.
Now a young woman threatened to take over the house Id shared with Nina.
The following week Alice called.
Evelyn, come Saturday. Alice is moving in; Id like you to be here.
Why?
So you can get to know each other better, become friends.
I drove over, not to befriend her but to keep an eye on her.
The flat was packed with boxes, suitcases. Alice barked orders at me:
Victor, that goes in the bedroom! No, not there! Careful, thats fragile!
I lugged boxes, sweating, while she flitted about, oblivious to my presence.
Hello, I said politely.
Alice turned, smiling.
Oh, Evelyn! Sorry, didnt see you. Victor, look, the daughters here! You said she wouldnt come!
Victor wiped his brow.
Evelyn, could you help? So many things!
I opened a box and found fine china with gold rims, silk bedding, expensive cosmetics.
Is all this yours? I asked.
Of course! And whose else? she retorted, pulling dresses from a bag and hanging them in the wardrobe. Victor, clear out half the closet! Better all of it! I have a lot of clothes!
Victor nodded obediently.
Dad, where will you put your stuff?
In the other wardrobe, in the hall. Ill make space.
Also I need room for my shoes! Alice shouted from the hallway. Your old boots are taking up space! Throw them out!
My boots! I protested. I left them here!
Oh, sorry! Take them back then! she replied, stepping aside.
I clenched my teeth. She was taking everything from the flat where Id grown up.
Dad, can we talk? I asked quietly.
Later, love. See all this mess?
No, now.
Victor sighed, left the flat with our daughter on the landing.
What?
You see what shes doing? Throwing my things out, commanding me!
Its a womans home now, she needs to settle in!
On my dime!
Its her house now!
Its my house! It was mine with Mum!
It was Mums. Now its Alices.
I fled up the stairs, not looking back. I burst into tears in the hallway, the first time in years. My mother was gone, I felt unhinged, and Alice was taking the house.
I called Andrew again.
Whatll you do? he asked.
I dont know! Stop it!
Hes an adult. He can decide.
Shes using him!
Feelings arent proof.
I hung up, realizing Andrew could do little.
A week later Victor phoned.
Evelyn, come for dinner. Alice is making your favourite!
My favourite?
Chicken and chips.
I despised chicken and chips; I preferred fish, but he apparently forgot. I arrived, and Alice greeted me in an apron, beaming.
Sit down! Everything will be ready soon!
On the table lay chicken, chips, salad, bread, and homemade squash juice.
Help yourself! Alice served Victor a huge plate. Victor, eat! Ive cooked for you!
Victor smiled, eating heartily. I poked at the potatoes.
Dont you like it? she asked.
Its fine, just not hungry.
You should have come hungry! Ive put so much effort in! she pouted.
Dont be upset, Alice, Victor tried to smooth things over. Evelyns work is tiring, shes exhausted.
I understand, Alice waved her hand. By the way, Victor, I think we need to redo the flat.
Renovate? Victor raised an eyebrow. Why?
The place is old! The wallpapers peeling, the parquet creaks! We should replace everything!
Itll cost a lot
So what? You dont want your wife living in a dump?
Victor fell silent.
I dont have that kind of money.
Then well find a way! We could get a loan!
A loan? Im sixtytwo, Victor! Who would lend me?
Theyll if we try! Or we could rent out a roomsay the loungeand wed have two rooms to live in!
Rent a room in our threebedroom flat?! I shouted.
Whats wrong with that? Money never hurts!
Its absurd!
Why? Lots of people do it!
Dad, are you seriously discussing this? I asked, looking at him.
He lowered his head.
Maybe we could think about it
What are we thinking about? This is madness!
Evelyn, stay out of this, Victor whispered. Its not your business.
I stood there, stunned. This was my family home, not someone elses business.
Fine, I said. If its not mine, Ill leave.
I walked out, slamming the door.
I called Andrew again, venting.
Andy, say something!
What can I say? Hes an adult. If he wants a renovation and to rent a room, thats his choice.
But its ridiculous!
Ridiculous is his decision.
I hung up, feeling helpless.
A month passed without visiting Dad. He texted me once: Evelyn, how are you?
I replied, Fine.
Later his voice, hoarse with fatigue, called.
Evelyn, may I come over?
Of course, Dad. Come whenever.
He arrived that evening, thin and weary. He sat at the kitchen table, sipping tea in silence.
Whats wrong, Dad? I asked.
Just tired
Of what?
Everything. I think Ive made a mistake.
With Alice?
Yes. She isnt what she seemed.
Tell me.
He sighed.
I took a loanten thousand poundsfor the renovation. She wanted it all done, then asked for another twentythousand for new furniture.
Twenty thousand pounds? For what?
For new sofas, a dining set, everything. She said the old stuff was useless.
I thought the old furniture was fine!
I agree, but she called me cheap, said I didnt love her.
I stayed silent.
And now she wants a car, he continued. She says the buses are inconvenient. I told her I had no money. She suggested selling the flat, buying a smaller one, and using the difference for a car.
Sell the flat?! I leapt up. Dad, do you realise what shes doing? Shes draining you!
I see it now. Its too late.
Why too late? Divorce!
How? Were already married
I sat down, feeling the weight of his words.
We signed the papers a week ago. She insisted we formalise because were living together.
Dad
I was a fool, Evelyn. An old fool. I thought Id found love, but I only found trouble.
I took his hand.
We can fix this. You can separate, evict her.
But she now has a legal right to the flat. Were married.
Not if the property was yours before the marriage!
It was but I dont know how to prove it.
There are deeds, the title register.
Victor nodded.
Help me, Evelyn. I cant do this alone.
Ill help, Dad. I promise.
I sought a solicitor. She confirmed the flat would remain Victors if we proved it was owned before the wedding; the paperwork was still intact.
Armed with that, Victor confronted Alice.
She erupted, wailing, accusing him of greed, betrayal, and of breaking her heart.
Ive given my life to you! she cried. Youre throwing me out!
Weve only been married a month, Victor said. Thats still time. The flat is mine.
Alice fell silent, wiped her tears, and stared coldly at him.
Fine. Ill leave. But youll pay the loan yourself.
I will.
Ill finish the renovation on my own.
She gathered her belongings and went. Victor sat staring at the empty kitchen, the silence crushing.
I arrived that night, finding him still at the table.
What are you doing just sitting there? I asked.
Thinking.
About what?
How I was such a fool, how lonely I felt after Nina died, and how I lost my head.
It happens.
But now I realise no one can replace Nina. No one.
He sighed.
Better to be alone than to live with someone who only wants your money.
I put my arm around his shoulders.
Youre not a fool. You were lonely. You missed your wife.
He smiled weakly.
Thank you, Evelyn, for not walking away.
Im your daughter. Its my duty.
We sat, drinking tea, and later cleared out the remnants Alice had leftdresses, shoes, cosmetics.
This is just rubbish now, Victor said. Only a reminder of my foolishness.
The divorce went through quickly; Alice didnt contest, realizing she wouldnt get the flat. She vanished, and a year later I saw her in a shopping centre, still flamboyantly dressed, walking with a elderly gentleman in a walking stick, carrying her bags. I passed by without a word; I didnt want to revisit that nightmare.
What stays with me is how Dad faced his mistake, owned up, and set things right. Not everyone can muster that courage.
And Mums quiet wisdom, her love, her knack for creating a cosy home without fuss or extravagance, lives on. True love isnt bright dresses and loud demands; its gentle care, patience, respect.
Dad learned that too late, but he learned it. That, above all, isEvery Sunday we still meet around the kitchen table, sipping tea and swapping stories, reminded that the truest love is quiet, ordinary, and lasting.
