13May, London
Hello, Mum, I cant get over here; Im feeling terrible. Daniel and Brielle left little Oliver with me and went off to a mates house. I cant reach them on the phone.
Again? What are they thinking! Ill be there straight away, Mum.
Half an hour later I was at my mothers flat.
My blood pressures spiking, I cant settle it. My head feels like its about to split.
Should we call an ambulance?
No, I just need to lie down. Oliver wont stop bouncing around the room, climbing on everythinghes still a baby and has no idea whats happening.
I ushered the grandson into the spare bedroom.
Here they go again, abandoning a sick old woman to look after a toddler. Its heartless. Mum is already old, its hard enough for her to sit with a child, and they have no responsibilities. All they think about is drinking and going out.
An hour later Daniel and his wife turned up, clearly feeling the effects of a few pints.
Daniel, Grans feeling ill and you never answer our calls. Why did you leave Oliver with her again?
Mum, its fine! Shes just putting on a show; shes as fit as a horse.
Dont you dare say that! You both have no conscience. Not only have you moved in here, youre also burdening an elderly woman!
And you dont want to buy us a flat, so where are we supposed to live?
Perhaps both of you should get a job? Oliver could go to nursery; they take children from two years old. Then you could earn some money!
We already workBrielle and I run a lifestyle blog. When it takes off, the money will pour in. Weve already invested in ads; the payoff is just around the corner.
Thats nonsense. There are more bloggers than fleas on a cat! We cant even afford a flat, let alone a house. You know that before you start a family you should think about the practicalities.
Im not to blame for Brielles quick marriage! It just happened.
What do you mean youre not to blame? Did I bring this on myself? Brielle interjected, her voice tinged with alcohol.
Oh, stop it! I told you to watch your tongue youre the one at fault.
I wont listen to your drunken fantasies. Im leaving. And dont insult Gran!
I peeked into my mothers room; she had finally fallen asleep. The pill must have worked.
And keep it down, shes sleeping. Thats all, Im off
Later that day, news that Brielles plans had collapsed turned the whole situation upside down. We had to throw together a very simple wedding, just close family.
The young couple refused to move into a rented flat and begged to stay with Gran Ethel.
Gran, you have two spare rooms, thatll be enough for us. Brielle will helpclean, cook, run errands.
What, you dont think Ill help my own beloved grandson? When were on our feet well buy a place and move on. This wont last forever.
Oh dear, Ive lived alone all my life, and you lot are noisy, likely to crank up the music and have guests over. And now therell be a babyno peace for me I have hypertension, you know.
Itll be fine, dont worry! Youll get to spoil your greatgrandchild a little.
I only learned of this when Daniel and Brielle finally moved in with my mother. They asked me not to say anything because they knew Id be against it.
Darling, stop shouting. Theyll stay a while and then move out. They cant live on the street forever
You really should have said yes. If Daniel had found work sooner, the nonsense wouldnt have piled up. Theyll live off child benefits while Brielles parents keep tossing money at them.
Daniel gave up his studies, has no trade, was rejected by the Army because of his asthma, and now seems to be losing his mind.
Ive never refused to look after Oliver, but when they started dropping him off every day, I snapped.
Youre the parents; you should spend time with your child. Instead youre off gallivanting with friends, filming silly videos. Bring Oliver over once or twice a week; I have my own life.
From then on they left Oliver with Gran Ethel. It was hard on her, but Daniel kept promising it wouldnt happen again.
Nat, did you know your mother is now an internet star?
The woman stared at her colleague, bewildered.
What do you mean? She doesnt even use the internet.
Daniel asks her ridiculous questions, she answers seriously, and then they mock her.
In the comments people were outraged that the youngsters were teasing a grandmother. She didnt even know they were filming behind her back.
I was furiousthis had crossed the line. I threw myself out of the office and called my son.
Hello, love, Mum here.
Daniel, why are you filming Gran and posting it online? Have you lost your mind?
Whats the big deal? Its a trend now, honestly! Shes just answering simple questions whats the problem?
This was Brielles idea. We have walkabout content these days, you know how many likes she gets?
I dont know, and I dont want to know! All the videos with her have just been published! This is underhanded, cant you see?
Nothing underhanded. She helps us grow the account, well make money faster and move out.
Sort your own mess out! Youre shaming Gran to the whole world! Youre heartless! Delete the videos, or youll end up on the streets.
Thanks, Mum for the support. I wont delete them. Our blog has shot up the charts because of those clips, advertisers are now lining up. Dont meddle!
He hung up. That was the final straw. I felt like a coldblooded monster.
That evening I told my husband. He was equally enraged. How could you make a grandmother a laughing stock? He hadnt been answering my calls.
Natalie, lets go, Ill speak to him.
Daniel was home, Brielle was out with the baby, and Gran Ethel was resting.
What are you doing here? Everythings fine; ignore the jealous gossip. Everyones earning what they can.
Not by secretly filming Gran! Delete the footage while Im watching! I shouted.
Thats not serious, Mum! Im an adult, you cant tell me what to do!
Adult? Then move out and live in your own flat! Youre like a moth stuck to Gran! And youre even asking for pension moneyshame!
She volunteered to help. Besides, Gran isnt immortal; when shes gone the flat will be mine. No point wandering from rented place to rented place. Just wait.
Their sheer audacity left me and my husband stunned.
The flat will be mine; Im her daughter! After what youve done, Ill think a hundred times before handing it over.
First, prove you can support a family on your own. And delete those videos!
For Gods sake! Well leave, just dont let us see the grandson! Were moving tomorrow!
But the next day Daniel didnt leave. Gran Ethel intervened.
Natalie, this is my flat and I havent evicted anyone. Let them stay; Im used to it. Its not about moving a child around.
I watched the video he showed me; nothing shameful was visible. Let him keep filming, I thought, maybe hell earn something.
She was amazed at that decision.
Mum, look, youll have to live with them. Im worried about your peace of mind.
Daniel, as expected, kept behaving selfishlyno complaints from me.
Two weeks later Gran Ethels health took a sudden turn. An ambulance was called but they could do nothing.
Hello, Mum, Gran Ethels gone the ambulance said her heart gave out
How could that happen so suddenly? Yesterday she seemed fine Well come with your father.
I was crushed, unable even to say goodbye to my mother.
At the funeral Daniel wept, and it seemed sincere. He really did love Gran, despite all the trouble he caused.
Mum Gran changed the will in my favour just before she passed. It wasnt me pressuring her; she decided herself.
I was stunned, said nothing. What now? That was her wish.
A few days after the funeral I went to my mothers flat to collect a few things for the neighbours. The door was ajar; I slipped inside quietly. In the bedroom I heard Brielles voice.
What she said horrified me.
Ethel, how long are we supposed to live with this old woman? Shes always nagging, asking us to keep the noise down, refusing to sit with Oliver. I just want a proper flat of my own.
We cant afford a mortgage, the income from the blog is tiny. Daniel plans to get a job, but who will hire a bloke with asthma?
When Gran fell ill, I didnt call an ambulance straight away; I told her I was busy. I gave her the wrong tablets. Only when she started choking did I finally call help. She screamed.
She signed over the flat to Daniel, but Im just feeling sorry now.
I burst into the room, fury raging inside.
You absolute wretch! Youve ruined Grandmother and now you brag about it? Ill go to the police! Youre a devil!
Brielle quickly hung up and stared at the motherinlaw in terror.
Youve got it all wrong I made all this up What are you doing here?
What am I doing? What are you doing? Ill tell Daniel everything!
He wont believe you. Even if he does I dont care! Oliver isnt his son!
Thats it. I wont stick around for this nonsense, your whole family is a mess!
Get out, you wretched woman!
At that moment Daniel walked in.
Whats happening, Mum? Why are you shouting?
Daniel, your mothers imagination has run wild.
I recounted the overheard conversation and the claim that Oliver wasnt his son. Daniel stared at Brielle, who tried to act as if she hadnt heard anything.
Brielle, is it true Oliver isnt my son? And you really didnt help my Gran?
You cant prove anything. Gran had a weak heart; no ambulance could have saved her. It was just time.
He was the son of a man called Victor, who abandoned me and then I started seeing Daniel.
He would find out the truth sooner or later. Im leaving; I wont stay a minute longer.
Daniel lunged at her, fists clenched, but I stopped him. Shocked, he stormed out. Brielle grabbed her things and fled with the baby.
They didnt go to the police; there was no evidence, and no one would pursue it. The guilt would stay with Brielle forever.
Daniel, youre also to blame. Ive told you countless times to move out. Gran was kind, she cared, and you youve ruined her.
Im in shock, Mum Oliver isnt my son, Grans gone
I went back to work, erased the blog, and decided life had to change.
All right, son, its time to grow up.
Daniel divorced Brielle, contested paternity in court, found steady work and began earning a decent wage.
I watched him transform; he started asking for my advice, listening more. He later married a good, sensible womannothing like Brielle.
My husband and I finally felt relief that our son was behaving like a mature adult. We hope such chaos never returns.