Knew I would eventually be posting an update to report that no progress had been made on this situation.

Firstly, it took my mother four days to tell me that my brother wanted a meeting at her house this morning. It started with him telling me off for not contacting him after my mother's fall last week. The fact she'd said she wanted to tell him herself made no difference. Admitted I should have ignored her and contacted him.

We then progressed to the rift. To say his attitude was arrogant is an understatement. He denied her lashing out at me was domestic abuse, "she wasn't going to hit you anyway". Really! Only my mother grabbing her arm stopped the connection with the side of my face. I told him her behaviour was unacceptable but he still couldn't see the problem. With a smirk on his face and laughing, he told me to get my head from up my backside and take responsibility for what happened. Went very quiet when I told him that Mom had commented to his stepdaughter that her mother was possibly drunk, then repeated the statement on the journey home with me. He then continued to interrupt everything I said and must admit I did wag my finger at him; not the brightest move! He then accused me of criticising how they were bringing up my niece. What I actually said and repeated many times was that she was a credit, having empathy decency and integrity in healthy measures. Oh and finally, he did apologise for his language and slamming my car door. I accepted it but said it had taken a long time.

Then my mother chipped in and that's when all became obvious. She accused me of not being willing to "bend" in achieving a reconciliation. Pretty obvious that yet again, he'll be getting away with unacceptable behaviour. When he'd gone, she turned on me again with ancient events that need to be consigned to history.

Was shocked but ultimately not surprised by his attitude. If this is what having a comfortable life means, think I'll stay poor. Just didn't seem to see any wrong in his wife's attitude, choosing to blame me for my mood a few days before and when arriving at their house.

Before leaving her house earlier, told my mother that I wasn't getting involved in any issues around other family members. Over the past few days, she's said there's traitor in the family and she reckons my brother has serious problems at home.

Think I've been played! None of us are perfect and we do change with age and life circumstances. I'm so fed up of being the "punchbag" for this family, of course they can't see that either. It's my birthday in a few days' time and at this moment I don't want to spend time with my mother. Just want to get away from it all.....