Why on earth would he need a granny like you?
Honestly, youre a nightmare! First you invited Sam to stay all summer, we had everything sorted, and now youre saying dont bring him over? What are we supposed to do?
The phone speaker crackled with my daughterinlaws tirade. I held my mobile a few inches from my ear that way I could hear everything without shouting.
Charlotte, your plans are your own business. You never even asked me, and now
You were the one who begged us to bring Sam over! I snapped back. I cant understand you. What kind of grandma are you? You cant even take Sam to your cottage, let alone drive him to the country. Youve never ever brought him any berries, you just load up your own boxes! And why does he need a granny like you when theres a perfectly normal one elsewhere?
I winced, pressed a free hand to my chest and exhaled sharply. I got the undercurrent of her words: either Id have to haul Sam over, or Id never see him again. A lowkey, outright blackmail.
Charlotte had a point if you look at the cold facts, but she was turning the whole thing on its head.
Lets start with the cottage Id once wanted Sam to spend time at. It was pretty basic the loo was outside, the shower was just a garden tap, and the berry bushes never actually produced anything worth picking. The barbecue was the old iron grill my first husband and I used for Sunday roasts. A few plastic chairs and a small table nothing fancy, but in my mind it was cosy in the simple, homely way.
When Andrew, my son, mentioned he wanted to bring his girlfriend up for a weekend at the cottage, I got nervous.
Id already met Charlotte a few times pretty, wellkept, confident, but with a whiff of spoiled entitlement. She always looked down on everything, as if she were constantly rating it. At our first meeting she started wandering around my house like a nosy inspector. I didnt like it, but I played along and gave her a tour, showing off my knickknacks and the family photo albums.
Andy, its a nice idea but are you sure Charlotte will like it? You grew up here, you know the place. Im not sure Charlottes used to that sort of thing, I warned him, when he eagerly laid out his weekend plans.
Ill explain everything to her. Shes always said she wants a bit of nature, and this is perfect its all ours, he replied.
I sighed but didnt argue. If I said no, theyd think I didnt want them at all.
I shouldve just turned them away.
I spent two whole days getting the cottage ready cleaning, baking pies, pulling out the pantry stash thats only meant for special occasions. My heart was a bundle of nerves, but the excitement of seeing my grandson kept the dread at bay.
From the moment they arrived, things went sideways. Charlotte stepped out of the car in a white summer dress and skyhigh heels, looked around, squinted with disdain, and her face fell.
Is this a loo or what? she sniffed, pointing at the outdoor toilet.
Well yeah. Its outside, but its clean just like any proper one, I said, forcing a smile.
Ah, the full nature experience, huh? she replied sarcastically.
It only got worse.
Honestly, it feels like weve stepped back into the Stone Age, she complained to Andrew. Did you really grow up washing yourself in a bucket? The mosquitoes are everywhere, you could stay in the car! And the smelloh, the smell!
Just the neighbours chickens, Andrew shrugged.
Her voice was so loud she could be heard all the way in the garden. I felt terrible I hadnt even invited her, Id prepared everything, and she gave me the cold shoulder.
Maybe shell get used to it, I thought. The cottage was a few hours drive away, so theyd be staying the whole weekend.
But Charlotte didnt last a day. After a mosquito bite she swatted at, she marched back to the car.
Thats it! Either you drive me home or Im calling a cab. I cant live like this! she snapped.
Andrew didnt argue. He said a quick goodbye to me, looked embarrassed, and shuffled back into the car with Charlotte.
Never thought itd be this hard for her he muttered.
I tried to chalk it up to her being used to city comforts. It wasnt easy for me either, adjusting to the rustic life, but I didnt throw a fit or slam doors. It was Andrews choice to stay with his wife.
Six years later, Charlotte and Andrew were married, and a little boy named Sam appeared. My relationship with Charlotte never really warmed up, but I still hoped to see my grandson. We lived in different towns, but I thought I could make it work.
Charlotte, could you bring Sam over sometime? I asked one afternoon. Ive got a garden, a river nearby, fresh air hell get his fill of vitamins for a year.
Take him where? To this dump? Better let him stay at home, she scoffed. You can send the vitamins yourself. You bragged about having more cherries than you could use. So we could actually meet once a summer, right?
It stung, but I didnt argue. I knew trying to persuade a spoiled city girl to haul a load of cherries for a whole day in July was a lost cause. I just wanted to spend a bit of time with Sam.
That was last summer. This year everythings changed.
Now my life is half hospital appointments, drip bags, and GP queues. A quarter of it is strict medical restrictions. Id just had heart surgery and the doctor told me I cant be out in the heat or lift anything heavy.
Take this seriously, he warned. Your heart needs rest, no heavy exertion, just gentle strolls.
The worst part? Andrew never visited, not even when I was in the ward. Wed chat on the phone, and that was it. I saw my old friend Lucy more often than my own son. Lucy actually helped me out financially when I needed it. When she heard the cottage was offlimits for me this year, she suggested a plan.
Listen, why dont I talk to them? They wanted a cheap summer break, but the seaside is pricey now. Ill sort something out for you, no strings attached. Itll be good for them and you, she said.
I jumped at it every penny mattered.
Just as I was getting back on my feet, Charlotte finally softened. When the young couple started planning another getaway, the cottages lack of amenities suddenly didnt matter.
Charlotte, I suggested this a year ago. Plans are great, I had my own for this summer, but life had other ideas. I cant go to the cottage now I just had surgery. I told her.
When? she asked.
Two months ago.
Two months? People start training for marathons now! Youre lucky you can sit at home on a pension. Some of us still have to work, she snapped. If you cant take Sam to the cottage, just bring him to your flat.
My flat? From one city block to another? Whats the point? I replied.
The point is we could finally have a proper holiday! You keep shouting about wanting to see your grandson, so here you go see him!
Charlotte, do you even hear me? A child needs constant attention and I can barely get around the house, I pleaded.
Its just laziness, admit it, she shot back.
I slammed the phone. The argument felt endless and draining. I was on my own; if I got worse, would Charlotte even think of looking after me? Of course not.
That evening Andrew called, apologised for Charlottes behaviour and asked gently if there was any chance I could still have Sam for a weekend. My eyes filled with that childlike hurt.
Andrew did you tell Charlotte Id had surgery? I asked, voice shaking. How could you know and still let her dump Sam on me without asking?
He paused, a heavy silence hanging between us.
Mum I said you were unwell. I didnt know it was that serious, he finally said.
Unwell didnt know, the words echoed, crushing me. He seemed indifferent to how I felt, never really trying to understand that even a flight of stairs now feels like a mountain.
Right, I muttered, ending the call.
Three days of quiet followed oppressive and heavy. It felt like, after refusing to help the young couple, Id become invisible, forgotten. Even Andrew stopped texting in the evenings.
On the fourth day Lucy rang, just as I needed a distraction.
Fancy a break at the cottage? My kids wont be there till the weekend. Itll be cool, we can have tea and chat, she suggested.
Lets do it, I agreed instantly. My heart felt like a cat scratching at a door, desperate for any company.
We brewed tea, opened the box of pastries Lucy had brought, and the conversation flowed. I told her everything.
You know what? Theyve got their own life now. Dont tear yourself apart. Keep your spirit up, live as you can. Youve still got me, at least. Maybe youll find someone to share evenings with, or finally give yourself a break. Healths a oneoff, look after it, and dont let them drain you.
I sighed, pulling the pastry box closer. It still hurt, but I finally felt I was doing the right thing not sacrificing my health for other peoples expectations. Its tough, the daughterinlaw turned her back, my sons indifference stings, but life keeps moving, ups and downs and all. Even without them.
