Similar story to ours, John. By 1992 we were buying our own place in the Notts village where I grew up. We spent a lot of money on the place, but by 1999 I was registered disabled, missus had an Op go wrong and was also disabled. My smashing in laws kept us afloat until we could come here to a large, lovely “permanent” privately rented bungalow in Louth. The landlord had told us we could stay there “permanently”. He neglected to tell us that it had been left to himself and his son by his own father the original homeowner, on the condition that his son, when 18, would have the choice of splitting the rent, or taking half the sale price. The landlord said we had 3 months to stay, then find somewhere else. I told him that needed to be in writing and he did that, then this wealthy guy went off on a 3 week diving holiday off Venezuela with wife and son. While he was away the local Council saw the letter he wrote and gave us this bungalow. I put the keys through his door and told him to whistle for that month’s rent. He was not amused but we did not give a damn.
What we took from all that, was that there are people like my in laws and people like that private landlord*. I have always hoped to be able to tell the difference and I also pay it forward.
*Arrested and convicted for fraud a couple of years ago. Lost his business, his wife and his big house, now lives according to last information, in a bedsit in Grimsby. Son lives in our old bungalow and my old neighbours there detest him and his all night parties, trying to get him evicted.
Now that is Karma!
When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
.
