28October2025
Its been a long night. I finally understood whats happening, though it feels like a punch in the gut. Youre being driven out of your own home, I muttered, my voice heavy with resignation.
Victor, Mum and I are on our way to you! Beatrice shouted into the phone at three in the morning.
Dont bother coming, I replied, halfasleep. Were still in bed!
Victor, this isnt a joke! Find a spare cot for me and a proper bed for Mum! Beatrice snapped, clearly irritated.
We dont keep any cots all the bedrooms are full! I yawned, trying to keep the humour alive.
Are you kidding? she yelled.
Sis, what do you want from me? Why are you showing up at this hour? You have your own flat, go stay there! I asked, genuinely baffled.
Victor! Beatrice snapped, You have to let us in for the night! We have nowhere else to go!
Whats the problem? I asked innocently, nudging my wife, Anna, aside. I covered the receiver with my hand and said, Anna, Mum and Beatrice are at the door, begging to come in!
Couldnt you pick another time? Anna asked drowsily.
Im glad were on the same page, I said, trying to smile.
Beatrice kept blathering, mixing sighs, mutters and occasional shrieks.
Give me the short version, please, I demanded.
Victor! The front door is jammed!
How bad? I asked.
First the lock got stuck, then the hinges warped and wouldnt close, and when I tried to force it, it seized completely! she sobbed, her voice cracking. Mum and I are in our nightgowns on the doorstep! The neighbours are you know how nosy they are.
Interesting, I said, grinning. Seems the payback doors have finally caught up with you!
My wife, listening, shook her head theatrically, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. She wanted to giggle, but didnt want to interrupt me.
Victor, well have to wait until morning and then call a locksmith. Order a taxi and pay by card we have cash at the flat, Beatrice urged.
So are you staying or leaving? I asked for clarification.
Dont be daft! Beatrice snapped. Were stuck here like two chickens under these cursed doors!
When we were children, parents tended to love all their kids equally, giving each what they could. As we grew, favourites emerged, and affection was divided unevenly, just like any other resource.
When I decided to marry, my younger sister Beatrice immediately raised the issue of not wanting Victor and his young wife, Anna, to share our family flat.
Victor, shes my sister-in-law, Im just a guest in my own house. I want to move about, speak and act as I please! Beatrice declared.
Whats the problem? I asked, surprised.
The mere presence of a stranger makes me uncomfortable, she said, quoting something shed read online.
Youre uncomfortable? Anna and I work late, were home at night, youre still sleeping with Mum, and in the evenings we all eat together and then retire to our rooms.
Exactly! And you wont even use the bathroom? I might be doing yoga in the gym then!
Believe me, theres nothing interesting for us here, I replied. Who would even watch you?
Victor! Beatrice shouted, then added her mother into the call. Tell him why we dont want a stranger in the house!
Beatrice, thats my wife, and Mum, youre the daughterinlaw. Its practically family, said Eleanor Smith, my mother, trying to smooth things over.
It may be distant cousins, but legally shes an outsider! Mum, I dont want to live like in a council flat!
Eleanor, who had always favoured her daughter, because Victor reminded her of the husband who had abandoned her with two children years ago, sided with Beatrice, though gently.
Victor, we love you, but we barely know Anna. Well meet her, but moving in together straight away feels wrong. Youre a husband you cant sit on Mums lap forever. The kids will grow, Beatrice is still young. If you host a party at your place, the neighbours will complain, and youll end up fighting.
Alright, I get it, I sighed. Youre not kicking us out.
Mum, no ones kicking you out, she said. We just want to avoid unnecessary trouble.
You could live without a wife, but with one you should go your own way, Beatrice added.
Anna sensed the tension between Mum and Beatrice, but kept quiet. She wasnt thrilled about living with my family either, yet she was willing to endure for Victors sake.
When the wedding plans fell through, I moved my belongings into a rented flat and brought Anna there. She understood the situation but didnt intervene.
Three weeks before the wedding wed been saving for a deposit on our own house. We took out a thirtyyear mortgage, even though we hoped for twenty, because the monthly payment would have left us with no leisure at all.
Four years after baby Tobys birth, the joy began to fade. Our second son, Harry, arrived with a triumphant cry.
Nothing we cant handle, I told myself. Well get through this.
When Harry turned five, I managed to snag two vouchers for a holiday resort. Usually we never left the city, only visiting Annas family in the countryside.
Anna! Theres a resort with a pool, spa, evening entertainment for folks over thirty, five meals a day its practically royalty!
What about the kids? she asked.
For a small extra fee we could bring them, but perhaps well leave them at home?
Should we lock them in a spare room with a TV, or send them to my mums in the village? I joked.
In truth, Id never leave them unattended; work, the garden, and house chores keep me busy enough.
Mum, I called, could we take the kids with us for a week? Anna and I want a break.
What, you two are heading to the spa while we look after our own grandchildren? Beatrice scoffed. Great plan!
Mum, I pleaded again, theyre wellbehaved. Well feed them, check theyre dressed properly, and theyll be in bed on time. Otherwise, theyre almost independent.
Eleanor thought for a moment.
Victor, no! We just renovated, bought new furniture its expensive! Beatrice protested. What if the kids wreck everything? Will you reimburse us? Plus, sometimes my husband drops by, and theres never enough room for the children!
Mate, Im losing hope, I muttered.
Mummy, the renovations fresh, and Beatrice is sorting her own life. You and Anna are a family sort your own problems! Eleanor said firmly.
Thanks, Mum, I said, grateful for the lifeline.
We went to the resort with the kids, and I didnt mention the family drama for weeks. Then a crisis hit: my salary was delayed and the mortgage instalment was due.
Mum, Beatrice, Anna we need a shortterm loan, three or four days, please!
We dont have any, love, Eleanor replied, glancing at Beatrice.
We have some, Beatrice said, patting her mothers hand. Dont worry!
You saved me! I exhaled with relief.
No, youll have to save yourself, Beatrice warned. Our door bill is set aside for the new front door. The fitter arrives next week, and we need to pay the deposit now.
What do you want, Beatrice? Im only asking for four days.
Its not clear how youll repay! I need to pay the installer in a week, then the doors will be fitted, and I must settle the full amount.
Im in an emergency, the credit must be paid tomorrow, salary arrives the day after! Ill bring the cash or transfer it straight away.
You can talk nicely, but Im not handing over the doors! she snapped.
Lets go to the solicitor now and sort everything out. You can even charge me a thousand per cent fine!
Ill wait for your fines, but I wont hand over the doors. If theyre delayed further, what will I do?
Well visit the solicitor, get everything done properly. You can even draw up penalties if you wish.
Ill collect your fines first; the door promotion will end before I get the money.
I managed to swing the loan, took the money to the solicitor, and paid the installer early. Unfortunately, Mum and Beatrice ended up on my blockedlist.
When I told Anna what had happened, she quoted a line shed once read: A wise person does not seek revenge; they wait for life to take its course.
The waiting didnt last long.
Here we are, I said, my cards empty, and Im supposed to help family that I cant even afford to look after.
Youve gone mad! Were family! they shouted.
The doors! I added. Your doors have become the final chord, after which I have no desire to keep any contact.
Youre ashamed to stoop so low! Mum retorted.
Im not revengeful, I replied. Im finally repaying debts!
You never took anything from us? Beatrice asked, missing my hint.
I took your love, your care, the kindness you gave me, I said. Now I return it in equal measure.
The call ended, and I hung up.
It wasnt vengeance; it was settling an account.
Lesson learned: holding grudges only builds debt of the heart; paying them back with honesty is the only way to free yourself.
