Everyone Thought the Young Woman Was Caring for the Elderly Neighbour Out of Greed for an Inheritance—But They Couldn’t Have Been More Wrong

The girl was looking after her neighbours grandmother, and everyone assumed she was angling for an inheritancebut of course, they were quite mistaken.

Emily never knew her fatherhed disappeared when she was just a toddler, leaving her mum and her granddad to pick up the pieces. It was her mum and her granddad who raised her, and truth be told, they did a rather smashing job. Then, when Emily was ten, her mum fell ill with cancer and passed away, leaving her in her granddads hands.

Shed already lost her grandmother years beforeso that was the whole family: her and Granddad, muddling through together. Emily grew up and found herself a job, but made sure to care for Granddad, especially as age got the better of him and he could barely leave his bed. Emily knew, with a heavy heart, that his time was near.

Emily, love, I need to ask you a favour, Granddad said one evening, voice scratchier than usual.

Whats that, Granddad?

You know, your gran had this absolutely marvellous friend. Thick as thieves, those two. When your gran was alive, Doris was forever round our house, helping with the shopping, doing the odd bit of dusting. When she passed away, I made sure to check in on Doris, see she was managing. Promise me, love, when Im gone, youll look after Doris. Dont let her be on her own.

I promise, Granddad.

The very next day, Granddad slipped away quietly. Emily, now quite alone, kept her word. She started popping round to Doriss every day, lending a hand here and there, whipping up a shepherds pie or two. Odd thing was, Doris had familynieces, nephews, even a son somewhere in Croydonbut not one of them bothered to check in. Three years went by, and when Doris passed, her relatives suddenly appeared, swarming in like bees to honey.

At the wake, her family started turning Doriss flat upside-down, clearly sniffing around for stashes of cash. Emily took nothing but an old photograph and quietly slipped away. The next morning, Doriss sister turned up on Emilys doorstep.

Emily, look, we need to talk

Whats happened?

Doris left you something in her will. But, well, youre not actually related to her, are you? We are, you see. I admit, I didnt help muchI had my own woes, you know how life can be. Maybe theres a way we can sort this, yes? Ill make it up to you somehow.

Fair enough. Just pay up.

Did Emily give back everything to the family? Not quite. She donated every penny to the local childrens home.