All my life, I dreamed of being in my brothers shoesuntil everything changed.
Mum fell pregnant with me when she was nineteen. Dad walked out the moment he heard. He wasnt ready for family life; his world was all pints and mates. My grandparents were furious with Mum, calling her a disgrace for having a child out of wedlock. Grandad kicked her out, saying he wouldnt tolerate an irresponsible daughter.
Mum had it rough, but she soldiered on. She signed up for evening classes and landed a job. We got by in a tiny student flat. I grew up fastdoing the shopping, scrubbing floors, reheating meals. No time for toys; as far back as I remember, I was too busy helping Mum.
I never complained. Even as a kid, I felt like the man of the house.
Then along came Oliver. Mum started seeing him, and I liked him straight offhe brought sweets and groceries, and Mum glowed. One day, she told me they were getting married and moving to a proper house. I was chuffed. Finally, a dad!
At first, it was brilliant. No more choresjust music, books, my own room. Oliver helped Mum, and she seemed happier than ever.
Then Mum announced a baby was on the way. Soon after, Oliver informed me Id be moving into the box roomthe old storage cupboardbecause the nursery needed my bedroom. I didnt get it; the house had spare rooms. But the next day, my stuff was dumped in the tiny space. It felt unfair, but I kept quiet.
When little Alfie was born, my nights turned to chaos. His crying wrecked my sleep, and my schoolwork suffered. Teachers scolded me; Mum snapped.
*You should be setting an example! Instead, youre just lazy and embarrassing us.*
As Alfie grew, I became his minderpushing his pram round the estate, red-faced while the lads jeered.
Everything went to Alfie. If I asked for anything, Oliver shut me down: *Moneys tight.* I walked Alfie to nursery, fed him, cleaned up. I just prayed hed grow up faster.
When Alfie started school, Mum ordered me to help with his homework. Spoilt and stubborn, he barely tried. If I told him off, hed whinge to Mum, and shed always take his side.
Alfie got booted from school to school before landing in a posh private one where top marks came with a hefty price tag.
I escaped to tech college, studying mechanicsnot my passion, but a ticket out. Later, I scraped into uni and worked nights, saving every penny for my own flat. Years on, I married.
Alfie? Oliver handed him a flat, but he still lives with Mum and Dad. Wont work, just lives off rent.
At a New Years dinner, Alfies girlfriend muttered in the kitchen:
*Youre lucky with James. Hardworking, dependable. Why cant Alfie step up? I beg him to settle down, but hes glued to Mums apron strings. Rent moneys all hes got.*
My wife laughed. *James is a gem. Ditch Alfiehell never husband material.*
And she was right. Plenty tried to change Alfie, but hes happy loafing on the sofa, telly blaring. Mum cant stand his girlfriendsnever good enough for her golden boy.
Thats when it hit me: Im proud of myself. Proper chuffed. Life paid me back for every rough patch. Now Ive got a gorgeous family, a loving wife, a cheeky daughter, and a homeall earned the hard way.
