**Diary Entry 12th May**
Wed decided, as a family, that Grandma wasnt needed. Or at least, thats what my husband, Edward, seemed to think.
«Are you mad? Thirty thousand quid for that rust bucket? Theres hardly an inch of it that isnt falling apart!» Edward slammed the bonnet of the old Rover shut and glared at the seller.
«Its not scrapits a classic,» the man replied smoothly, running a hand over the worn steering wheel. «They dont make em like this anymore. 78, factory build. Full service history, rebuilt engine, runs like a dream.»
«A dream where nothing works,» Edward scoffed, turning to me. «Come on, Margaret, lets go. Im not wasting money on this junk.»
I sighed and offered the man an apologetic smile. «Hes right, Im afraid. We need something reliable for the cottagehauling things back and forth, getting us there in one piece. This isnt it.»
«Take it, love, you wont regret it,» the seller pressed. «Tell you whattwenty-eight grand, and its yours.»
«No, thank you,» I said firmly, looping my arm through Edwards. «Well keep looking.»
We walked in silence through the garage lot. Edward was still fuming, while I worried about how long this search might drag on. Summer was coming, and without a car, wed either be stuck with three buses or begging a lift from the neighboursagain.
«Maybe we *should* just take out a loan for a new one?» I ventured as we stepped outside.
«On our pensions?» Edward snorted. «No, well find something decent second-hand. Just takes patience.»
«But summers nearly here, and the gardens not even turned yet.» I adjusted my scarf against the chilly spring wind. «The kids promised to help, but you know how that goes. James is busy with work, and Emilys got the little ones…»
«Exactlythe kids,» Edward said, suddenly animated. «What if we asked Mary?»
«Gran Mary? *My* mother?» I stared at him. «Shes seventy-eight, Edward. Wheres she going to drive?»
«Age has nothing to do with it,» he waved me off. «Your mums fitter than I am. Still does her morning exercises, shops on her own, meets her friends for tea. Besides, shes got savings, hasnt she? Always going on about her rainy day fund. Well, its pouring.»
«Edward!» I was appalled. «Thats *her* money. Shes scrimped all her life for that. She always said it was for the grandchildrenuniversity, emergencies…»
«And wed be using it *for* the grandchildren,» he insisted. «Buy a car, take them to the cottage. Fresh air, nature, fruit pickinggood for their education, really.»
I shook my head but said nothing. The idea of asking Mum for money didnt sit right. We barely saw her as it wasshe lived alone in her little terraced house on the outskirts of town, and it was a hassle to get there. Now wed show up with our hands out? No.
That Sunday, the family gathered for our usual roastJames with his wife, Sophie, and their fourteen-year-old, Liam; Emily with her husband, Mark, and their twins, Lily and Noah, whod just turned twelve.
«Any luck with the car?» James asked as he helped me set the table.
«None,» I sighed. «Everythings either a wreck or wildly overpriced.»
«Dads suggesting we ask Gran Mary for the money,» Edward announced, striding in. «Shes got savings, hasnt she?»
«Gran Mary?» Emily paused, knife hovering over the bread. «Would she even agree?»
«I dont know,» I admitted. «I havent asked. And Im not sure we should.»
«Why not?» Edward sat down. «Who else is she leaving it to? Itll come to us eventually.»
«She always said it was for the grandchildrens education,» I reminded him.
«So well use it *for* them,» Edward repeated. «Car for trips to the cottagepractical learning, biology in the wild. Better than textbooks.»
Everyone laughed, and the conversation moved on. But after lunch, once the kids had scattered to their gadgets and the adults lingered over tea, Edward brought it up again.
«Margaret, Im serious,» he said, stacking plates. «We should talk to your mum. Its family money. It should help the whole family.»
I hesitated. «I dont know, Edward. Shes always been so independent. Hates anyone telling her what to do with her savings.»
«Whos telling her? Were just explaining. Its not like were asking for a holidayits a *need*.»
Later, as we all settled in the lounge, Edward made another suggestion.
«What if we asked Gran Mary to move in with us?»
Everyone turned to stare.
«With *us*?» I blinked. «Edward, weve no space. Where would she sleep?»
«We could convert the storage room,» he said. «Or get a proper sofa bed for the lounge. She wouldnt be alone in that house, and wed know shes looked after. At her age, its safer.»
«And her house?» James asked carefully.
«Wed rent it out,» Edward said, brightening. «Two-bed terrace, even if its a bit out of the waycould fetch a grand a month, easy. Thatd cover the car, the cottage, everything.»
I frowned. «Edward, were talking about my *mother*, not an income stream. Thats her home. Her whole lifes there.»
«Oh, come off it,» he scoffed. «At her age, whats she need with memories? She needs care, company. We can give her that.»
I opened my mouth to argue, but Liam, usually glued to his phone, spoke up.
«Does Gran Mary know about this plan?»
«Not yet,» Edward said. «Were working out how to ask her.»
«What if she says no?» Lily asked.
«Well persuade her,» Edward said confidently. «Explain its for the best.»
«For *her* best, or ours?» Noah said quietly.
«Noah!» Emily chided.
«Im just asking,» he said, unflinching. «Do we actually care what *she* wants?»
Silence. Edward coughed.
«Of course we do. Its about her being looked after. Family around her, grandchildren…»
«Have you ever asked if shes *lonely*?» Noah pressed. «We barely visit. Just birthdays and Christmas.»
«Everyones busy,» I said weakly.
«Exactly,» Edward jumped in. «But if she lived here, wed see her every day.»
The kids exchanged glances. I could tell they werent convinced. Gran Mary was old-schoolstrict, no-nonsense, the sort who thought children spent too much time «glued to screens» and not enough time «out in the real world.»
«I think we should ask *her* first,» Emily said, eyeing the twins. «She might not want to leave her house. Her friends, her routine…»
«Of course well ask,» I said quickly. «Ill go tomorrow.»
«Ill come,» Edward said. «Better chance of convincing her.»
The next day, we drove to Mums. She welcomed us warmlytea, biscuits, Edwards favourite apple cake.
«Howve you been, Mum?» I asked as we settled in.
«Right as rain,» she said briskly. «Morning exercises, bit of shopping, afternoon telly, tea with the girls. Same as always.»
«Thats actually what we wanted to talk about,» Edward began. «Your situation.»
«Whats wrong with my situation?» Mum eyed him.
«Nothing,» I cut in. «We just thought maybe youd like to move in with us? Wed make space, help out…»
«Move in? With *you*?» She looked baffled. «Why on earth would I do that?»
«Well, your age,» Edward said. «Safety, company…»
Mum set her cup down. «And what happens to *my* house?»
«Wed rent it,» Edward said casually. «Extra income. Help with the car, the cottage…»
«Ah.» Mum leaned back. «So you want the money from my house?»
«Its not just that,» I said quickly. «We *do* worry about you.»
«Is that why you havent visited in four months?»
«Lifes busy,» Edward said. «But if you lived with us»
«Right.» Mum stood. «Tell you whatIll think about it. Give me a week.»
Relieved, I agreed.
When we got home, the kids were waiting, grim-faced.
«Weve had a family meeting,» Liam announced.
«What meeting?» Edward frowned.
«The grandkids meeting,» Lily said. «About Gran Mary.»
My stomach dropped. «And?»
«We dont need her,» Noah said bluntly. «Not like this. Not forced to live here just so you can rent her house.»
Edward sputtered. «Thats not»
«It *is*,» Liam said. «Her homes her whole life. Youre just after the money.»
«Thats enough!» Edward snapped.
«Is it?» Noah asked. «You werent even giving her a proper roomjust the storage space. Shes seventy-eight, Grandad.»
Liam added, «And you didnt ask *us* if we wanted her here. Its our home too.»
I stared at them, stunned. When had they become so wise?
Edward deflated. «So what do you suggest?»
«Visit her more,» Lily said. «Take turns. Weekends, maybe. But dont uproot her.»
That night, I lay awake, ashamed. We hadnt been thinking of Mumjust ourselves.
The next morning, I called her.
«Mum, weve changed our mind. But wed like to visit more. Have you over, too. If thats alright?»
She chuckled. «I wasnt moving anyway, love. But seeing the kids more? That, Id like.»
Relief washed over me. «Saturday, then. All of us.»
«And Margaret about the car. Ive been thinking. I could help. Not a loana gift. Family should help family.»
My throat tightened. «No, Mum. Keep your savings. Well manage.»
She laughed. «At my age, whats a rainy day? Every days a blessing. Especially if the grandchildren visit.»
I hung up, smiling. The kids were right. We didnt *need* Gran Mary as a tenant or a burden. We needed her as she wasstubborn, loving, *herself*.
And the car? Wed figure it out. Because family wasnt about money. It was about being honest. Together.
