Id brought my new wife home, and when I heard her demands I went completely numb my mind scattered in every direction. £20,000 for a consultation? Are you out of your mind? I shouted.
The renovation consultant, a young woman in a crisp business suit, calmly gathered her paperwork.
This is the standard rate. If youre not happy, you can go elsewhere, she said.
Ill go! Ill go right now! Ellie snatched her handbag and stormed for the door. What a ripoff!
She slammed the office door behind her. Outside it was a biting October drizzle, the kind that makes you wish youd stayed inside. Ellie fished out her phone and dialed me.
Dad, it didnt work out. The consultant quoted astronomical sums. Ill have to sort the repairs myself, she said.
My dear, dont worry, my voice sounded unusually upbeat. Ive met someone who can help.
Someone? Who? Ellies tone sharpened. Who is she?
Come over tonight. Ill introduce you, I replied.
Ill, she began, but I hung up before she could finish. Standing in the rain, Ellie felt a cold knot form inside her. Someone, she thought, recalling that it had been a year and a half since Mum passed. Had I really already found another person?
That evening she arrived at my flat on the fifth floor. I opened the door in my tie and freshly pressed shirt. At sixtytwo I still looked about fiftyfive.
Ellie, come in! I want you to meet Clare, I said, clearly excited.
Clare stepped out of the kitchen. She was tall, slim, in a formfitting dress, hair just past her shoulders, makeup bright. She must have been in her midthirties.
Hello, Ellie, she offered, extending a hand. Im Clare. Lovely to meet you.
Ellie shook the hand mechanically, her nails painted long and cold.
Hello, she replied.
Sit down, love, I rushed. Ellie, you sit too! Ill get us some tea.
Clare lounged on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. Ellie took the armchair opposite, eyeing the newcomer.
Your fathers told me a lot about you, Clare began. He says youre a clever one. Do you work at a bank?
Yes, Ellie answered curtly.
Great! I used to work in a bank myself, many years ago, before I moved on to other things.
What kind of things? Ellie asked.
Various things, Clare waved a hand. You know how it is.
Ellie nodded, though she didnt quite understand. At forty shed spent her whole career in one place, building a steady path.
I served tea, biscuits, and jam, bustling about like a nervous groom before a wedding.
Help yourself, Ellie! Try the jam I made it myself! I called.
Ellie bit into a biscuit; it was dry and tasteless. Clare sipped her tea with a smile.
Victor, love, wheres the sugar? I cant have tea without it! she exclaimed.
Right away, I darted to the kitchen.
Watching me, Ellie saw a side of me shed never known. Id always been restrained, stern. Now I was bustling, eyes glued to Clare.
Dad, can we talk? she asked when I returned with the sugar bowl.
Of course. Whats on your mind?
Just us, alone.
I hesitated, glanced at Clare, who rose gracefully.
No problem, Victor. Ill pop into the bathroom and freshen up, she said, swaying a little as she left.
Ellie watched her go, then turned back to me.
Who is she? she asked.
What?
This woman. Where does she come from?
I wanted to tell you Clare and I have been seeing each other for three months.
Three months? And you never said a word?
I didnt want to upset you. I thought Id wait until it felt serious.
How serious?
I cleared my throat, adjusted my tie.
Were getting married.
Ellies breath caught.
Marrying? Youve only known her three months!
I know. But Im not a boy any more, Ellie. Im sixtytwo and I know what I want.
What do you want? A young wife?
Ellie! I snapped. Dont say that! Clares a good person!
Good, Ellie echoed. How old is she?
Thirtyeight.
So shes twentyfour years younger. Doesnt that strike you as odd?
No! Love doesnt count the years!
Ellie closed her eyes, thinking of love. My heart seemed to have turned back into a schoolboys.
Dad, you know its barely a year and a half since Mum died, right?
Its been a year and a half. I missed her, felt lonely. Then I met Clare. She understood me, supported me.
How did you meet?
In the park. I was walking, she was walking, we started talking, and then we began seeing each other.
Ellie nodded, a textbook romance.
Clare returned from the bathroom, smelling of perfume.
So, did you chat? she asked, sitting beside me and laying a hand on my shoulder.
We did, Ellie said, standing. Ive got to go. I need to get up early tomorrow.
Wait, Ellie! I rose as well. Theres something else. Clare is moving in with me next week.
Ellie froze at the doorway.
In this flat? Here?
Yes. Where else?
But dad, this is Mums flat yours and Mums
It was Mums, I said softly. Now its mine and Clares.
Ellie left without a goodbye, the rain still drizzling as she walked home. Inside she was a whirl of anger. My father was about to marry a woman half his age whom hed known for only three months.
She called my brother, Andrew, who lived out in York and visited rarely.
Andrew, did you hear Dads got a new lady?
Yes, I got a call. She mentioned someone called Clare.
Are you okay with it?
What can I do? Hes an adult, he deserves a personal life.
But shes after the money!
What money? He only has a pension and this flat. No other cash.
Its a threebedroom flat in the centre! Its worth a decent sum!
So what? Shes marrying Dad, not the flat.
Andrew, are you serious? You sound naive.
He sighed.
Ellie, dont dramatise. Lets see what happens.
I hung up, my mind buzzing. MumNinahad been gentle, caring, worked as a nurse, lived thirtyfive years with Dad, raised us, kept the house tidy. A year ago she died of cancer. Id cared for her till the end, Dad holding her hand, crying.
And now Ive found a replacement. A young one.
I clenched my fists. I wouldnt let Clare take Dad and the flat.
The following week Dad called.
Ellie, come over Saturday. Clares moving in, I want you there.
For what?
So you can meet her properly. Get to know each other.
I drove over, not to make friends but to keep an eye on her.
The flat was a maze of boxes and bags. Clare bossed Dad around.
Victor, that goes in the bedroom! No, not there! Handle it gently! Thats fragile!
Dad lugged boxes, sweating, while I was ignored.
Hello, I said.
Clare turned, smiling.
Oh, Ellie! Hi! Sorry, didnt see you! Victor, look, our daughters here! You said she wasnt coming!
Victor wiped sweat from his brow.
Ellie, could you give us a hand? Theres so much stuff!
I started unpacking. In one box I found fine china with a gold rim. Another held silk bedding. A third was full of cosmetics, bottles, and perfume.
Clare, is all this yours? I asked.
My, of course! And whose else? she replied, pulling dresses from a bag and hanging them in the wardrobe. Victor, clear half the wardrobe! Better, clear it all! I have loads of clothes!
Alright, Clare, Victor said obediently.
I watched him pull his shirts and trousers out, stacking them in a box to make space for her dresses, skirts, and blouses.
Dad, where will you put your stuff? I asked.
In the other wardrobe, in the lounge. Ill manage.
Victor, I also need room for shoes! Clare yelled from the hallway. Youve only got those old boots! Throw them out!
Theyre my boots! I protested. I left them here!
Oh, sorry, didnt know! Clare peered from the hallway. Take them then! Space is tight!
I gritted my teeth. Take themout of the flat I grew up in.
Dad, can we talk? I asked quietly.
Ellie, later! Look at all this work!
No, now.
Victor sighed, stepped onto the landing with me.
What?
Do you see what shes doing? Shes pushing your things out, ordering around!
Its a woman, Ellie. She needs to settle in.
On your dime!
Its her home now!
My home? This is your flat! The one you shared with Mum!
It was Mums. Now its Clares.
I turned and fled up the stairs. Dad called after me, but I didnt look back. I burst into tears at home, the first time in ages. Mum was gone, Dad was losing his mind, and Clare was taking the flat.
I rang Andrew again.
What do you want to do? he asked.
I dont know! Stop it!
Hes an adult. He has a right.
Shes using him!
Maybe. Maybe she loves him. How would you know?
I know! I feel it!
Feelings arent evidence.
I hung up; Andrew was useless.
A week later Dad called.
Ellie, come over for dinner. Clares making your favourite.
My favourite?
Chicken and chips!
I hated chicken and chips; I preferred fish. He must have forgotten.
I arrived. Clare greeted me in an apron, beaming.
Ellie, sit down! Itll be ready soon!
On the table lay chicken and chips, plus salad, bread, and homemade squash.
Help yourself! Clare piled a plate for Victor. Victor, eat up! Ive cooked especially for you!
Dad smiled, eating happily. I poked at the potatoes.
Dont like it? Clare asked.
No, its fine. Just not hungry.
You should have been hungry! I put so much effort in! she pouted.
Clare, dont be upset, Victor intervened. Ellies work is tiring, shes exhausted.
I understand, Clare waved her hand. Anyway, Victor, Ive been thinking. We need to do some renovation.
Renovation? Dad lifted his head. Why?
Why not? Everythings old! The wallpapers peeling, the parquets squeaking! We should replace it all!
But thats expensive
So what? You dont want your wife living in a dump?
I could see the gears turning in his mind.
Clare, we cant afford that
Then well get a loan! she declared.
A loan? Im sixtytwo! Whod give me a loan?
Theyll if we try. Or we could rent out a roomsay the loungeand live in the other two.
Rent a room? In a threebedroom flat?
Whats wrong with that? Clare turned to me. Extra money never hurts!
Its absurd!
Why? Plenty of people do it.
Dad, are you serious about this? I asked, staring at him.
He stared down, shoulders slumped.
Well I suppose we could think about it
What are we thinking about? This is madness!
Ellie, stop interfering, Victor whispered. Its not your business.
I froze. It wasnt my business? It was my fathers house, the place where Id grown up.
Fine, I said. If its not mine, Ill leave.
I walked out, slamming the door.
I called Andrew again, spilling everything. He listened in silence.
Andrew, say something!
What can I say? Dads an adult. If he wants to renovate and rent a room, thats his choice.
But its absurd!
Absurd is his choice.
I hung up, feeling powerless.
A month passed. I rarely visited Dad, calling only sparingly. He sent a brief text once: Ellie, how are you?
I replied, Fine.
Later his voice, tired and flat, came over the phone.
Ellie, can I stay with you?
Of course, Dad. Come over.
He arrived that evening, thin, gaunt, sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.
Whats wrong, Dad?
Just… tired.
From what?
From everything. I think I made a mistake.
With Clare?
Yes. She isnt who she seemed.
Tell me.
He sighed.
Shes demanding. New dress one day, a restaurant the next, a full renovation. I took out a loan, £10,000, paid it all toward the work, and she still wants more. She says Im stingy, that I dont love her.
I stayed silent.
She also wants a car now, says buses are inconvenient. I told her I have no money. She suggested selling the flat, buying a smaller one, and using the difference for a car.
Sell the flat? I snapped. Dad, do you realise what shes doing? Shes draining you!
I see it now. Its too late.
Why too late? Divorce!
How? Were married
I sank into a chair. We were legally married.
When?
A week ago. She insisted, saying we lived together, so we should formalise it.
Dad
Im a fool, Ellie. An old fool who thought hed found love, but only found trouble.
I took his hand.
We can fix this. Get a divorce, kick her out.
She has rights to the flat now. Were married.
She doesnt, if the flat was yours before the marriage.
It was but I dont know how to prove it.
There are documents! The title deeds!
Dad nodded.
Its probably Ellie, help me. I cant do this alone.
Ill help, Dad. Absolutely.
I hired a solicitor, got advice. She said the flat would stay with me if we could show it belonged to me before the wedding. The paperwork was still there.
I told Dad, and he mustered the courage to speak to Clare.
Clare threw a tantrum, sobbing, accusing Victor of being miserly, of betrayal.
Ive given you my life! she wailed. And youre throwing me out!
Clare, weve only been married a month
And what? A month counts! I have rights!
No, you dont, Dad said firmly. The flat is mine. It will remain mine.
Clare fell silent, wiped her tears, looked at him coldly.
Fine. Ill leave. But youll have to repay the loan yourself.
I will.
And finish the renovation yourself.
I will.
She gathered her things and went. Dad sat at the kitchen table, staring into nothing.
I arrived that night, finding him still there.
Dad, why are you just sitting?
Thinking.
About what?
About how foolish I was. How I lost my head.
I sat beside him, hugging his shoulders.
Youre not a fool. You were lonely. You missed Mum.
I missed her so much I lost my mind, he admitted. But now I see that no one can replace Nina. No one. Better to be alone than to settle for a poor substitute.
I leaned into him.
Youre not alone. Im here. Andrew, the grandkids
He smiled. Thanks, love. For everything. For not turning away.
Im your daughter. Its my duty.
We stayed in the kitchen, sipping tea. Later I helped Dad clear out Clares leftover thingsdresses, shoes, cosmetics.
Whats the point of keeping these? he said. Just reminders of my folly.
The divorce was processed quickly. Clare didnt fight; she knew she wouldnt get the flat. She vanished, never calling again.
Dad slipped back into his routinewalks in the park, reading, watching the telly. I visited weekly, bringing meals and tidying up.
One day, Ellie, would you like to move in? Its a big place, and it gets lonely, Dad asked one afternoon.
No, Dad. I have my own flat, but Ill come more often.
He beamed.
Six months later Dad cleared the loanAndrew helped with the money. We finished the refurbishment together, as a family. The place looked lovely, far cheaper than Clare had dreamedAnd as the sun set over the garden, Victor lifted his tea cup to his daughter, grateful that his home finally felt truly his again.
