Page 67 of The Life Experiment
‘I’d like to set up a charity specialising in short-term housing for people receiving ongoing hospital care and those supporting them. A bit like a hotel, but one people can stay at with no cost.’
Angus waited for his parents to react, but it was like someone had pressed pause on the scene.
‘I’ve drafted a proposal of how it would work,’ he continued. ‘I’d like your input, but I have a clear idea. We would still own and maintain the properties, but their use would not be for domestic rentals anymore. We’d convert each room into a self-catering unit as well as provide free access to counselling and other resources for residents, should they wish to use them. The building’s function would simply be to support families in these situations.’
‘Situations…? What situations?’ Gilly asked, confused.
‘People visiting loved ones in intensive care. People who’ve suffered strokes or are undergoing chemotherapy. Anyone who needs it, really. You’ve no idea how expensive the disruption is for people enduring treatment, never mind those trying to support them through it. Frequent hospital parking alone is more than most can afford, and that’s without factoring in things like petrol, childcare and time off work.’
Gilly blinked. ‘So you want to host these people in our properties for free?’
‘As a charitable enterprise, yes,’ Angus confirmed.
‘For goodness’ sake, Angus. Can’t you write a cheque like everyone else?!’ Gilly cried, laughing to process her shock. She looked to Peter, waiting for him to fall in line, but he was too busy studying his son. Gilly scoffed. ‘This is ridiculous! Where on earth has this idea come from?’
‘From listening to people living through what I’ve described and realising how many resources we have to help them.’
‘And where have you met these people?’ Gilly said, picking an imaginary speck of dust from her skirt. ‘What sob story have you naively fallen for?’
‘I’ve started volunteering at a hospice,’ Angus stated, another sentence that made Gilly baulk. ‘Don’t look at me like that, Mother. Please. This matters to me.’
‘But a hospice is where people go to die!’
‘I know, but it’s not like you imagine. Haven is incredible. They’re there for families from diagnosis to death and beyond. Accessing support from somewhere like that would have been so useful when Hugo died.’ The atmosphere shifted at the mention of his brother, but Angus didn’t stop. ‘I know it sounds strange, but after four shifts there, I’ve learned more about living than I have in the thirty-four years I’ve been alive.’
Angus’s words were met with a strained silence. Gilly broke it with a haughty sniff. ‘Angus, if you’re bored, we know plenty of people who will give you a job.’
‘I’m not bored, Mother. I’m tired of living a life with no meaning. I only have the things I do because of the family I was born into. Worse than that, I’ve had everything given to me and done nothing with it. I don’t want to live like that anymore.’
Angus hoped his impassioned speech would silence his critics, but scepticism reigned strong. Angus supposed he should have expected it. After years of aimless wandering, how could anyone take him seriously when he came to them with a plan this ambitious?
‘This is incredibly insulting,’ Gilly snapped, two pink circles burning her cheeks. ‘You want me to feel guilty for having a beautiful home and owning nice things? For giving you everything a person could possibly wish for? Well, I refuse.’ Gilly’s pale eyes scoured her son. ‘You are selfish, Angus. You insult the life I gave you, then have the cheek to ask for two properties. And the best part is, you want them for free! Do you have any idea how much they are worth? Any idea how much they earn? If you despise the position you were born into so much, then don’t ask to use its benefits.’
‘I don’t despise the position I was born into – I despise what I’ve done with it.’ Angus’s voice strained. ‘I despise that I’ve spent years only thinking about holidays or partying. I despise that I’ve never done anything because I never had to. I could never be Hugo, so why try?’
Gilly’s head snapped back. ‘Don’t you dare bring your brother into this!’
‘But Hugo is part of this. He’s part of everything I am and everything I have failed to become.’
As Gilly flew to her feet, Peter leaned forward. ‘Let’s take a minute to calm down,’ he began, but Gilly cut him off.
‘My son died, Angus. Hedied,’ she hissed. ‘For you to blame him for your shortcomings is, quite frankly, disgusting!’
‘I know Hugo was your son, but he was also my brother,’ Angus replied. ‘He’s the person I measure myself against, but we never got to see who Hugo would become. It’s like measuring myself against a ghost.’
‘Stop talking about him in this way!’
Gilly’s hurt filled the air, but instead of hiding from it, Angus leaned into the emotion his family had long suppressed. ‘Don’t you see? Hugo wouldn’t want me wasting away, scared. He’d want me to do something with my life. Something good.’
Turning pale, Gilly stepped backwards, eying her son as if he were a stranger.
‘Mother, please,’ Angus implored. ‘I know what I want to do now. I know who I need to become. I’m asking for your help.’
From the sofa, Peter spoke up. ‘Free short-term housing, you say?’
Angus turned to his father. ‘That’s right.’
‘And what would we earn from that?’
