Ugly Bills part 2

January 2030

Violet Fyfe is 36, Sheila Cooper is 70

“...so we went to the bank this afternoon but no luck. We've already borrowed as much as we can and if we were to borrow any more we wouldn't be able to meet the repayments. And that's the whole sorry story.” Violet had fled to her mother's house that evening, fearing that she would be unable to keep her distress from the children if she stayed at home. Now, having told her mother the whole situation, she looked up at her, wondering whether she would see disappointment or disbelief in her mother's face. As far as Sheila knew the Fyfes were doing well, with strong careers, a happy family life and a lovely house by the shore. Of course that was what anyone would see, the ugly truth was buried deep underneath.

But Sheila's face was not disappointed, angry or dismayed, instead she simply looked at Violet with understanding and love, “I always worried that house would be too much,” she admitted, “no-one ever realises how much more they will pay in bills when they move to a larger place and we all like to push from our mind the worst case scenarios, such as a hike in interest rates just as you lose your savings. It's such awful luck Vi, but it's not the end of the world and you know that.  You still have Uziah and the children, just keep remembering them.”

Violet felt her eyes welling with tears, “it just feels like the end of a path we were hoping to follow though mum. We had this wonderful dream, this ideal life that we would get as a reward for years of hard work, were we just fools all along?”

Sheila smiled sadly, “Not fools love,” she said, “just innocent or a little naïve maybe, the way we all are when we are young and anything is possible. It's partly my fault for always telling you that everything was within your grasp if only you worked hard enough. I should have made sure you understood that sometimes hard work simply wouldn't be enough and life never works out quite the way we planned.” She reached over and squeezed Violet's hand gently.

“Now Vi,” her voice took on the brisk tone Vi always associated with 'getting things done', “what do you need me to do tonight, I can be a shoulder for you to cry on if you just want to get everything out of your system while the children aren't around, or I can be 'practical mum', help you work through the options and see if there's anything I can suggest.”

“Practical mum sounds perfect, thank you.” Vi felt like she had done enough crying when they had returned from the bank that afternoon, now she needed to be doing something, anything, to move on.

“As far as I can see you have three options,” Sheila always liked to list things in threes, she said it was the best number for the human brain to remember, or at least her human brain...  

“One – you increase your income, work more hours, get another job, earn money at home somehow. Two – you decrease you outgoings, I know you've probably looked at that, but I have a lovely accountant who can go through all your bills with you if you want to see if there's anything you can reduce. Three – you sell the house, move somewhere smaller with more reasonable bills, and put any money you save somewhere safe this time, such as into the children's college funds!”

Violet smiled at this, Sheila was always convinced that both Wesley and Willow were going to top universities and had set up college funds for them as soon as they were born.

“Thanks mum,” Violet stood up and hugged her mother, “you always make things seem so simple. We've talked about decreasing the bills but we've been on a tight budget ever since we moved in and shaving a few simoleons off the electricity bill won't touch the problem. We could sell some of the furniture and paintings that came with the house but that would only be a short-term fix and without knowing for certain when Uziah and I might get promoted we are likely to end up in the same position again within a couple of months. If either of us work any more hours the children will never get to see us and then what are we working for?  I think we both know the only option is to sell the house, it's just such a shame, it's so lovely.” Violet allowed herself a quiet sob on her mother's shoulder, she had fallen in love with the house when they first viewed it and the thought of losing it after only a year living there was like a kick in the stomach. But then so was the thought of her children living on the breadline, or ending up in bankruptcy if they just buried their heads in the sand. No, a clean break was the only way to go. Now they just had to break the news to the children and pray the house was worth enough to clear the bills and leave them enough for a house that at least still had a bedroom each for the children. 

For the rest of the evening they discussed houses for sale, the delight of Willow coming top of her class again in a recent test and Wesley's first girlfriend, Dahlia, who had recently come for dinner.  Violet admitted that just the idea of her baby boy dating was making her feel ancient and Sheila laughed, reminding Violet of the first boy she had brought home when she was only 13, to her mother's horror.

After coffee and a long chat, Violet finally felt ready to return home and face the problem head on. “Estate agents, here we come...”