**Diary Entry 16th March**
Bloody hell, the things she comes out with.
How can you talk like that? Hes familyyour husbands own brother!
And Ill say it againId rather burn that money than give a penny to him! At least itd do some good! If he cant be bothered to look after himself, why should I? My younger daughter-in-law, Emily, pouted, arms crossed.
Margaret, my mother-in-law, looked like she might burst. Andrew, my youngest, pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling hard. He was always like thisnever one to panic, always thinking things through logically, never letting emotions run the show.
Emily, you cant be serious, Margaret pressed. Lifes long. Today you help him, tomorrow he might help you.
Oh, please! Emily scoffed. Him? That layabout? Hes up to his eyeballs in debt!
Not everythings about money, love, Margaret sighed. If you care for Andrew at all, the least you could do is respect his brother. Im not asking you to nurse him in hospital
Margaret, with all due respect, weve got our own plans, Emily cut in, ice in her voice. Were saving for our daughters future. Unlike Simon, shes got a real shot at a decent life.
Margarets face flushed. The way Emily spoke about Simonlike he was dirt beneath her shoes. But he wasnt.
Simon might not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was a good family man. Worked hard, loved his wife and son, never strayed. Just an ordinary bloke, like thousands of others.
Andrew, on the other hand, was driven. Always had been. From the moment he could walk, he was determined to climb out of mediocrity. He picked dentistry not out of passion but because it paid well. And it didhe worked his fingers to the bone, dealing with nightmare patients, but he lived comfortably.
Simon wasnt destitute, though it was a struggle. He had a car (on finance) and a flat (inherited from his nan).
His real weakness? Food. Simon had a sweet tooth like no otherbread, puddings, butter on everything. Hed skip breakfast, then gorge at dinner, weekends spent glued to the telly.
Simon, love, maybe lay off the fry-ups, Margaret would chide.
She never panickeduntil he landed in hospital with heart trouble. Turned out he was a walking time bomb.
Diet changes. Possibly for life, the doctor warned.
Simon ignored it. At first, he half-tried. Then gave up completely. Missed follow-ups, abandoned treatment. If he felt rough, he soldiered on.
Sarah, youve got to get him back to the doctor, Margaret begged his wife.
Ive tried! Stubborn as a mule. Ive nagged him rotten about his diet. Whats the use? I throw out the crisps, he buys more. Says hell stop eating at home if I force rabbit food on him.
It was obviousuntil Simon sorted himself out, nothing would change. And he wasnt sorting anything. But then, plenty of men were like that, werent they? Letting things slide until it was nearly too late.
Emily, though She didnt just judge Simon. She despised him.
I dont see why you all fuss over him. Let him dig his own grave, she sniffed once, overhearing Margaret and Andrew talking.
Margaret tried to convince herself Emily was just strong-willed, that tough love worked. But deep down? The girl was just cruel.
It showed in everything. Emily never lifted a finger unless it benefited her. If Margaret needed help, shed dodgetoo busy, promised her own mum, not feeling well. Never helped in the garden, but showed up for every barbecue. If they needed a babysitter, Emily rang Margaret first, never her own mother.
Margaret bit her tongue for ages. Not her place to meddle. But now? She was starting to worry for Andrew, too.
A few days ago, Simon had another attack. Needed surgery. Doctors warned recovery would be long. For once, he looked scaredbarely eating, moping around.
Margaret cracked and called Sarah.
How are you holding up? Simon wont tell me a thing.
Oh, Margaret Im terrified, Sarah admitted. Were barely scraping by as it is. Now scans, meds, surgery You know what NHS waiting lists are like.
Dont fret, love. Well manage. Hes family. Well all chip in.
Margarets heart eased. Money wasnt the issue. She assumed Andrew and Emily would pitch inshed raised her boys to stand by each other.
Never in a million years did she expect Emily to dig her heels in. Especially since the girl hadnt worked a day in her life. Lived off Andrew, calling it keeping housemore like shopping, gym classes, and lunches with friends. Margaret noticed the new outfits every time she saw her.
Your daughters future Margaret repeated slowly. Do you realise Simon might not have a future if we all turn away now?
Emilys lips thinned.
He stuffed his face for years, and now Im supposed to pay for it? No chance. Hes a grown manlet him sort himself out!
With that, she stormed out.
Andrew, Im waiting in the car.
Andrew didnt follow. He sat, fists clenched, staring at the table. Margaret looked away.
The silence was suffocating. Something inside them both shattered. Five minutes passed before Andrew picked up his phone.
Andrew I never interfere, but She refused to help your brotherwith your money. What if its you next? What then?
I know, Mum. Dont worryIll help Simon. But Emily Im not sure I want to stay married to someone like that.
That night, Andrew sent Emily home in a cabnot to their place, but to her parents. She screamed, threatened divorce, called him a mummys boy. He didnt budge.
He filed first. Emily waited, expecting him to crawl back. When he didnt, she threatened to take their daughter.
Ill move away, and youll never see her again!
Dont make me laugh, Andrew snorted. You havent asked about her once since we split.
They settled out of court. Emily demanded half of everything, though shed contributed nothing. In the end, she took the car and left them alone.
Margaret never saw her again. From what she heard, Emily now ranted online about all men being useless. Swapped fancy restaurants for fast food, ditched her salon nails and blowouts.
Greedy, and left with nothing.
Do you regret it? Margaret asked Andrew once.
Not a bit. If helping my brother was a crime to her, we were never right for each other.
He didnt dwell on it. Too busy working, raising his daughter, sometimes asking Margaret for help. Thankfully, little Sophie was old enough to manage.
Simon recovered well. The op went smoothly. For the first time, he took his health seriouslyproper diet, walks with Sarah. Smaller family, but tighter than ever.
**Lesson learned:** Bloods thicker than water, and a selfish heart leaves you lonelier than any divorce ever could.
