«I don’t have a spare room,» said my daughter when I arrived with my bags.
«Mum, did you pack everything? Didnt forget your documents?» Charlotte nervously fiddled with her handbag strap as she stood by the kitchen window.
«Do I seem that old to you?» Margaret waved her off, checking the contents of her suitcase for the third time. «Passports here, moneys here, medication Oh, I forgot my dressing gown! Lottie, wheres my blue one?»
«In the wardrobe. Mum, do you really need it? Emily probably has something you can borrow.»
Margaret paused and studied her daughter carefully.
«Charlotte, love, Im not just staying overnight. Emily invited me for a proper visitsome fresh air away from the city. You said yourself the countryside would do me good.»
«I did, I did» Charlotte turned back to the window. «But I didnt know James would lose his job again. Third time this year.»
Her mother moved closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
«You didnt tell me. What happened?»
«Whats there to say? New manager came in, wanted to shake things up. James was first on the chopping block. Doesnt matter that hes got experiencetheyd rather hire kids wholl work for pennies.»
Margaret sighed and sat on a stool.
«Its tough for you right now, I understand. Maybe I should stay? Help out somehow»
«No, Mum. Go. Emilys expecting youshes got everything ready.» Charlotte forced a smile, but it didnt reach her eyes. «Youll have a nice rest, get your strength back.»
Margaret opened her mouth to reply, but the phone rang.
«Hello? Mum? Its me, Emily! Are you all set? Ive aired out your room, changed the sheets!»
«Im on my way, love. Charlottes driving me to the station now.»
«Brilliant! I was starting to worry. Oh, Mum, Ive missed you so much! You wont believe how lovely it is hereapple trees in bloom, the airs just wonderful. Nothing like that city smog.»
«Ill see you soon, dear.»
Margaret hung up and glanced at Charlotte.
«See how excited she is? Its been six months since we last met.»
«Right. Excited.» Charlotte grabbed the car keys. «Come on, Mum, or youll miss your train.»
The drive passed in silence. Margaret tried to make conversation, but Charlotte answered in monosyllables, lost in her own thoughts.
«Lottie, maybe I *should* stay. I can tell things are hard for you right now.»
«Mum, stop. Well be fine. James has been out of work beforehell find something.»
«But what about money? How will you manage?»
Charlotte braked sharply at a red light.
«Well get by. Ive got my salary, and hell get benefits. We wont starve.»
«What about the mortgage?»
«Mum, *please*. Its our business. Were adultswell figure it out.»
Margaret turned to the window, a knot of worry tightening in her chest. Charlotte had never been so short with her. Something serious was happening, something she wasnt being told.
At the station, as she saw her mother off, Charlotte suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.
«Sorry, Mum. Ive been awful today. Just stressed.»
«I understand, love. Call me if you need me. Ill come straight back.»
«Have a good rest. Say hi to Emily for me.»
The train pulled away, and Margaret waved from the window until Charlotte disappeared from view.
Emily met her at the station with a bouquet of lavender and a beaming smile.
«Mum! Finally!» She hugged her tightly. «How was the trip? Not too tired?»
«Not at all. Look at youglowing! Country life suits you.»
«Fresh air and sunshine. None of that city grime. Come on, lets get homeyou havent seen the new house yet!»
The house was charmingcozy, with a sprawling garden and a view of the river. Emily gave a proud tour, pointing out the new furniture, the fresh paint.
«And this is your room,» she said, opening the door to a sunlit space with two windows. «See? Morning sun, and in the evening you can watch the river.»
«Its lovely, dear. Wheres William?»
«Still at work. Hell be thrilled to see youkeeps asking when youll bake your famous apple pie again.»
«Ill make one tomorrow.» Margaret sat on the bed, taking it all in. «Its so peaceful here.»
«We love it. Williams doing well at work, and Ive picked up some freelance projects. Were even thinking about starting a family soon.»
«About time! Id love some grandchildren.»
Emily sat beside her, taking her hand.
«Mum hows Charlotte? She seemed off when I called.»
«Troubles with James. He lost his job again.»
«*Again*? But hes brilliant at what he does!»
«Just unlucky, I suppose. Charlottes taking it hard.»
Emily frowned. «Maybe they should move here? Plenty of jobs, cheaper housing. I could ask William to look into it.»
«I dont know, love. Theyre city people. And the mortgage»
«Right. Complicated.» Emily stood. «Rest a bitIll start dinner. William will be home soon.»
That evening, over tea on the porch, William welcomed her warmly. For the first time in months, Margaret felt the weight lifting. Here, surrounded by care and quiet, her soul could breathe.
A week passed. Margaret helped in the garden, took long walks, read. She called Charlotte daily, but the conversations were strained.
«How are you, love?»
«Fine. James has a few interviews lined up.»
«And you? Not too worn out?»
«Exhausted. But Ill manage.»
«Charlotte, should I come back? I hate seeing you like this.»
«Dont be silly. Emily was so excited for your visit. Stay.»
But Margaret couldnt shake her worry. Charlottes voice grew thinner each day, and once, shed even broken down before quickly masking it.
«Emily, I think I should go home,» she said over breakfast. «Somethings wrong with Charlotte.»
«Mum, youve barely settled in! Ive planned trips, picnics»
«I know, love. But my guts telling me she needs me.»
Emily sighed. «If youre sure William will drive you to the station.»
The journey back was uneasy. Margaret tried calling repeatedly, but Charlotte didnt pick up.
She arrived at dusk. The flat felt darker, the lift creakier. Her key turned, but the door was latched from inside.
«Charlotte? Its me!»
Silence, then footsteps.
«Mum? I thought you were with Emily»
«Open the door, love.»
When it swung open, Margarets heart sank. Charlotte looked gaunt, her eyes red-rimmed.
«Whats happened?»
«Nothing. Just tired.»
Inside, suitcases sat in the hall, papers strewn on the table.
«Charlotte, wheres James?»
Her daughter sank onto the sofa, face in her hands.
«I didnt know how to tell you. Didnt want to ruin your time with Emily.»
«Tell me *now*.»
«Hes gone. For good. Said we were dragging each other down. Moved in with a mate.»
Margaret pulled her close. «Oh, my darling I thought it was just the job.»
«That too. But it doesnt matter now.» Charlotte looked up. «Mum, Im selling the flat. I cant cover the mortgage alone. Found buyerscompleting next week.»
«Where will you live?»
«Rent a room somewhere.»
Margaret hesitated. «What if you stayed with me?»
«Your flats tiny. Where would I even sleep?»
«Wed make it work. Sofa for now, then well see.»
Charlotte shook her head. «I wont cramp you. And my jobs miles from yours.»
«Emilys offer still stands. She mentioned jobs»
«No. I wont be a burden.»
They sat in silence, holding each other. Sometimes the greatest comfort was just presence, not solutions.
The next day, they sorted the sale. The buyers were kind, not haggling over price. Signing the papers, Charlotte exhaled deeply.
«Feels like a weights lifted, Mum. Mortgage cleared, a bit left over. Enough to start fresh.»
«And then?»
«Ill figure it out. Maybe maybe I *will* visit Emily. She called again last night.»
«Go, love. Country air, good people. Youll find work there.»
Charlotte stopped mid-step. «Come with me?»
«Me? Ive got my little life heremy flat, my friends, my doctor»
«But youll be lonely.»
Margaret smiled. «Ill manage. Library volunteering, my pensioner group And Ill visit often.»
On moving day, Charlotte packed only essentialsclothes, documents, a few keepsakes.
«Rest can be sold or donated. Fresh start, fresh things.»
At the station, Charlotte suddenly wept.
«Mum, Im sorry. For snapping, for hiding things. I was just ashamed life fell apart.»
«Nonsense. Lifes *beginning*.» Margaret held her tight. «Go, dont look back. Emilys thrilled to have you, William will help. Ill visit soon.»
«Promise?»
«Cross my heart.»
As the train left, Margaret waved until it vanished. Walking home, the empty flat felt quiet, sad but not desolate. Shed done the right thingnot clinging, not smothering.
A week later, Charlotte called, voice bright.
«Mum, guess what? Ive got a job! Local school needed a history teacher. The deputy head took one look at my CV and hired me on the spot.»
«Wonderful! And housing?»
«Staying with Emily for now. She says theres no rushtheir place is huge.»
«Emilys always had a kind heart.»
«Yeah. And Mum? Ive slept better these past nights than I have in years. Maybe maybe this is where Im meant to be.»
Hanging up, Margaret smiled. Her daughters would be alright. And she? Shed earned her own chapterone of freedom, of choices made just for her. That evening, she wrote Emily a long thank-you letter. Sometimes the greatest kindness was simply making space without questions.
The next day, she phoned a travel agent, browsing seaside retreats. At her age, new beginnings werent endingsthey were adventures. Her children had found their paths. Now it was her turn to walk hers.
*»I dont have a spare room,»* her daughter had said. And she was right. Rooms, like hearts, expand only when theres love enough to fill them. And wisdom lies in knowing when to hold onand when to let go. She booked a cottage by the sea, small but bright, with a view of the waves and room enough for visitsbut not permanence. Each morning she walked the shore, her steps slow but sure, breathing in the salt and freedom. The letters from Charlotte arrived weekly, full of laughter, plans, even a photograph of her standing beneath the apple trees. Margaret kept them all in a drawer beside her favorite teacup, along with a note from Emily: *Weve saved you a room, Mum. No rush. Well be here.* And she knew, as she watched the tide roll in, that love didnt live in walls or spare bedsonly in the quiet certainty that home was wherever the heart could rest.
