Lost Inheritance

Lost Inheritance

Johnny adored his two sons and delighted when they both decided to settle down with local girls. He could now look forward to the next stage in his life becoming a granddad. His sixty-seven year old body bore the brunt of hard manual labour down the darkened, damp pits. His physique resembled a ruined castle decaying with age in contrast to his mind sharp as ever. He wasn’t losing his marbles, just yet. He was a stronghold and pillar of society whom others looked up to including his beloved sons.

Johnny was ever so careful with his hard-earned money, especially after losing his dear wife, Doreen, to cancer some twelve years ago just as the boys’ hormones were kicking in. What a time to lose a wife and the dear mother of his boys. He struggled financially and emotionally, but, however tough it was, he kept up the mortgage payments on his two-up, two-down home. He was determined to ensure his sons had a roof over their heads and in this quest he forged a strong bond with them. Johnny strived to fulfil his late wife’s wishes in making sure a little was saved each month to leave behind for their boys and any future grandchildren. He invested in a small Bond some twenty years ago just after Doreen’s death.

Johnny lived a simple life, with his one pleasure of a few jars on a Saturday night at his local labour club. His only other indulgence, other than his sons, had been his pet dog, Laddie, a beautiful sheepdog that kept him company on lonely nights. Johnny and Doreen both loved dogs and had always took rescue dogs from the R.S.P.C.A. When Laddie had to be put down he realised it was getting too much for him to look after another dog so he decided to volunteer at his local R.S.P.C.A. He earned respect at the charity and he appreciated their hospitality and gratitude for his work as a volunteer.

His two daughters-in-law appeared friendly and caring towards him whenever they visited but he knew by the look in their eyes they viewed him as a nuisance. He could feel the strain in his sons’ voices whenever they rang apologetically to say they couldn’t see him on his birthday or other special occasion because Jane or Julie wanted a night out. Johnny’s sons couldn’t see how their wives were keeping their father at arm’s length but just went along with their plans. Johnny always seemed to miss out on any family get-togethers or special times such as anniversaries, birthdays because his daughters-in-law had other ideas.

The only thing he had in common with his daughters-in-law was their love of dogs, but not to the extent in which their pooches were spoilt. Jane and Julie idolised their pets and treated their hounds like their own children, petting them, feeding them only the best dog food money could buy. Johnny often idly wondered whether his sons were sometimes neglected in favour of their wives ‘little darlings’. Jane and Julie would meet and take their pets to the dog parlour every month to pamper and preen them. Their pets could do no harm and talk often revolved round the decision whether to take them to Crufts or not but this usually coincided with their summer holiday plans. Any hints from Johnny about the patter of tiny feet were always dismissed by Jane and Julie. They would tell him they had no intention or inclination in producing smelly, noisy brats. Johnny didn’t take offence after all it was their lives.

Lately he’d started thinking that perhaps he should spend some of his money and arrange a holiday for the family to have quality time together. He suggested an all-in holiday in the sun to which his daughters-in-law wouldn’t be able to come up with a valid reason why not to go. They went along with Johnny’s plans but selfishly looked forward to spending his hard-earned cash on them.

Johnny used the time on holiday to discuss his plans for selling his home and releasing the Bond when he was gone. Both sons were astonished at how much the Bond had accrued and how their father’s little terraced house had increased in value. His sons pleaded with Johnny to start spending his money now and enjoy the fruits of his labour. Their wives looked on in sheer horror. Any suggestion that their future inheritance should be frittered away by their obnoxious father-in-law was unthinkable. Their eyes lit up at the thought of the money their father-in-law would be leaving behind which they could spend on their beloved animals. Their thoughts drifted around following their ambition for their pets to win ‘Best in Group’ at Crufts.

On the last night of the holiday, Johnny decided on an early night after the week’s strain in keeping the peace with his daughters-in-law who had monopolised the holiday agenda. The only time he saw an ounce of genuine interest towards him was during his family talk about his inheritance. His sons felt they needed some time alone and a strong drink to take in what their dad had shared with them and they wanted to think of a way in which they could convince their dad to spend money on himself. The daughters-in-law felt too jaded after a frustrating day putting up with their father-in-law’s annoying habits and were more than happy when their husbands went off for a drink alone.

Johnny turned in just after ten o’ clock, whilst his two daughters-in laws decided to crack open a bottle of wine and take in the news of the bumper windfall their father-in-law would leave behind in the not-too-distant future. They sat out on the balcony, dreaming of winning Crufts, and of expensive holidays, shoes, bags and anything else that popped into their heads. They each expressed their delight at the prospect of inheriting such a substantial sum and  they couldn’t wait for the old git to pop his clogs.

Little did they know, Johnny couldn’t catch his sleep but was sat on his balcony next door. He couldn’t avoid listening to their cutting remarks. Oh, how he ached when he heard them saying such terrible things about him and how his sons were unaware of their wives true feelings. Doreen would have been devastated that her husband was being treated so cruelly.

Johnny felt tears fall as they talked of how much they despised him and couldn’t wait for the day he died. He decided he’d change his will and wipe the smile off his daughters-in-laws faces. He couldn’t control when his life would end, but he could ensure his house and money weren’t put in the wrong greedy, selfish hands.

He changed his will giving his two sons one third each of his estate to be inherited on their sixty-fifth birthday to ensure they had a comfortable retirement. The remaining third would be donated to the R.S.P.C.A. He composed a message to his daughters-in-law in his own words to read, “I know what great dog-lovers you both are and how happy you would be to know my money was going to such a good cause.”

Johnny thought of the look on his daughters-in-laws faces when details of his will are released. It would be a sight for sore eyes as they realised their lost inheritance. This put a big daft grin on Johnny’s face.   1239 words