**Diary Entry 10th May**
*»We dont have a spare room,» my daughter said when I arrived with my bags.*
«Mum, did you pack everything? You didnt forget your documents, did you?» Emma fidgeted with her handbag strap, standing by the kitchen window.
«Do I look senile to you?» Margaret waved her off, checking her travel bag for the third time. «Passports here, moneys here, my pills Oh! I forgot my dressing gown! Emma, wheres my blue one?»
«In the wardrobe. Mum, do you really need it? Im sure Sophie has something you can borrow.»
Margaret paused, studying her daughter closely.
«Emma, love, Im not just staying overnight. Sophie invited me for a proper visitsome peace away from the city. Fresh air, the river nearby. You said yourself itd do me good.»
«I did, I did» Emma turned back to the window. «But I didnt know then that Daniel would lose his job again. Third time this year.»
Her mother touched her shoulder.
«You never told me. What happened?»
«Whats there to tell? New boss came in, wanted to ‘refresh the team.’ Daniel was first out the door. Experience didnt matterjust hire young lads wholl work for pennies.»
Margaret sighed and sat on the stool.
«Im sorry, love. Should I stay? Help out somehow?»
«No, Mum. Go. Sophies expecting youshes got everything ready.» Emma forced a smile, but it didnt reach her eyes. «Youll come back rested.»
Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but the phone rang.
«Hello? Mum? Its Sophie! Are you coming? Ive aired out the guest room, fresh sheets and all!»
«Im on my way, darling. Emmas taking me to the station now.»
«Brilliant! I was starting to worry. God, Ive missed you! You wont believe how lovely it is hereapple trees in bloom, the airs crisp. Nothing like that city smog.»
«Sounds perfect. See you soon.»
Margaret hung up and glanced at Emma.
«Shes thrilled. Hasnt seen me in months.»
«Yeah. Thrilled.» Emma snatched the car keys. «Come on, Mum, or youll miss your train.»
The drive passed in silence. Margaret tried a few times to talk, but Emma answered in monosyllables, distracted.
«Emma, maybe I *should* stay. I can tell youre struggling.»
«Mum, *stop.* Well manage. Daniels been jobless beforehell find something.»
«But the bills? The mortgage?»
Emma braked sharply at a red light.
«Well figure it out. My salary covers basics, and hell get benefits. We wont starve.»
«What about the»
«*Mum.* Enough. Were adults. Well sort it.»
Margaret turned to the window, uneasy. Emma had never been so sharp with her. Something was wrongdeeply wrong.
At the station, as the train pulled in, Emma suddenly hugged her tight.
«Sorry, Mum. Im just strung out.»
«I know, love. Call me if you need me. Ill come straight back.»
«Have a proper rest. Say hi to Sophie for me.»
The train moved off, and Margaret waved until Emma vanished from sight.
Sophie met her at the country station with daffodils and a beaming smile.
«Mum! Finally!» She squeezed her. «How was the trip? Exhausted?»
«Not too bad. You look radiant, Sophie! All that country air.»
«Better than choking on city fumes. Come on, Ill show you the house!»
The cottage was charmingcozy, with a sprawling garden and a view of the river. Sophie proudly pointed out the new furniture, the fresh paint.
«Thisll be your room,» she said, opening a sunlit door. «Morning sun through the windows, evenings by the river. Perfect, yeah?»
«Lovely, darling. Wheres James?»
«Still at work. Hell be chuffed to see youkeeps going on about your roast dinners.»
«Ill make one, then.» Margaret sat on the bed, taking it in. «Its peaceful here.»
«Yeah. Were happy. James landed a good job, I do bits of freelance. Thinking of starting a family soon.»
«About time I had grandkids!»
Sophie took her hand.
«Mum how *is* Emma? She sounded off when I rang.»
«Trouble with Daniel. Lost his jobagain.»
«*Again?* Bloody hell. Hes a decent blokewhys he so unlucky?»
Margaret shrugged. «Emmas bearing the brunt.»
Sophie bit her lip. «Maybe they should move here? Plenty of work, cheaper living. James could ask around.»
«Doubt theyd leave London. Their flats got a mortgage, and well, you know Emma. Proud.»
«Yeah.» Sophie stood. «Rest up, Mum. Ill start supper.»
That evening, James was just as warm, and Margaret felt the citys weight lift. A week passedgardening, walks, lazy afternoons with a book. She called Emma daily, but the conversations were tense.
«Hows it going, love?»
«Fine. Daniels got a few interviews lined up.»
«You sound worn out.»
«Just work stress.»
«Emma, if you need me»
«Mum, *stop.* Enjoy your break.»
But Margaret couldnt relax. Emmas voice grew thinner, and once, shed wept before hanging up.
«Sophie, I think I should go back,» she said at breakfast.
«What? Youve only just come! Weve plansthe market, the river walk»
«Its Emma. Somethings not right.»
Sophie sighed. «If youre sure Jamesll drive you.»
The train ride was agony. Emma didnt pick up.
She reached the flat by evening. The lift groaned; the hallway felt darker. Her key wouldnt turnthe bolt was on.
«Emma! Its me!»
Silence. Then footsteps.
«Mum? Youre supposed to be at Sophies»
«Open the door.»
Emma didpale, eyes red-rimmed.
«Love, whats happened?»
«Nothing. Just tired.»
Margaret stepped inside. Suitcases. Papers on the table.
«Wheres Daniel?»
Emma crumpled onto the sofa.
«Gone. For good. Said we were dragging each other down. Moved in with a mate.»
Margaret held her. «Oh, darling I thought it was just the job.»
«That too. Doesnt matter now.» Emma wiped her face. «Mum, Im selling the flat. Cant handle the mortgage alone. Buyers are lined up.»
«Where will you live?»
«Rent a room somewhere.»
Margaret hesitated. «What about with me?»
«Your place is tiny. Where would I *sleep?*»
«The sofa, for now. Wed manage.»
Emma shook her head. «I dont want to burden you. Or what about Sophie? Shes offered before.»
«Youd go?»
«I dont know. Hate feeling like a charity case.»
They sat in silence, holding hands.
The next day, they signed the sale. The buyers were kind, no haggling. Emma exhaled after.
«Feels lighter, somehow. Mortgage paid off, a bit left over.»
«And then?»
«Ill find my feet. Maybe maybe I *will* try Sophies.»
On moving day, Emma packed sparinglyclothes, photos, a few trinkets.
«Rest can go to charity.»
«Fresh start,» Margaret said.
At the station, Emma burst into tears.
«Mum, Im *sorry.* For snapping, for hiding things. I was *ashamed*»
«Hush. Lifes just beginning.» Margaret hugged her. «Sophies thrilled. James will help. Ill visit soon.»
«Promise?»
«Promise.»
The train left. Margaret walked home, the flat too quiet but not lonely. Shed done rightno smothering, no guilt.
A week later, Emma called, bright-voiced.
«Mum! Got a jobhistory teacher at the village school! Headmistress loved my CV.»
«Wonderful! And the room?»
«At Sophies for now. She insists theres no rush.»
«Good girl, that Sophie.»
«Its peaceful here. Maybe its where Im meant to be.»
Margaret smiled. Theyd be alright.
That night, she wrote Sophie a letterthanking her for kindness, for not prying. Sometimes, the best help is quiet presence.
Next morning, she rang a travel agent, browsing seaside breaks. At her age, why not a new chapter too? The kids had their paths. Now it was her turn.
*»We dont have a spare room,» my daughter said.* And she was right. There are no spare roomsjust the right ones, at the right times. Wisdom is knowing when to step back, and when to hold on.
