Mum will stay with us, your folks can remain in the village, Gareth said, his voice drifting like smoke.
You spent four hundred pounds on what? A kitchen suite?
Gareth hurled the receipt onto the table; the plates jumped as if startled. Elspeth flinched, then forced herself to stay calm.
It was for the suite. The old one fell apart completelydoor fell off, the worktop a patchwork of stains.
Four hundred! We agreed wed discuss any big purchase first!
We did discuss! I told you a month ago. You saidlook for yourself!
I never said spend that much!
How much do you think a decent set should cost? Ten pounds? That was the cheapest you could find!
Gareth paced the kitchen, his fingers twining in his hair.
Were counting every penny now! We were saving for a car!
We were, and well save again. But I need somewhere to cook now, not when the car arrives.
We could have waited!
Wait? Another halfyear cooking on two burners because the rest are dead?
Gareth turned to her, eyes sharp.
If you knew how to save, wed already have a car and a bigger flat.
A lump rose in Elspeths throat.
I dont know how to save? I count every cent every day so the wage lasts till the next payday. I buy the cheapest groceries and wear the same coat for three years.
Thats exactly ityoure the victim again!
Im not the victim! Im just stating facts!
They faced each other, breathing hard. Tears welled, but Elspeth swallowed them, refusing to show weakness.
Gareths phone rang. He glanced at the screen, muttered Mum, and slipped into the hallway.
Elspeth stayed at the kitchen table, her head resting on her hands. What had happened to them? They had never fought over money before, never argued this often.
She remembered how they met. She was the receptionist at a dental practice; Gareth came for a root canal. They chatted in the waiting room, he invited her for tea, and six months later he proposed.
She was twentysix, he twentyeight. Both working, sharing a modest flat, then a mortgage on a onebedroom terraced house on the outskirts of Manchester. Simple, but theirs.
Life was ordinarynot rich, not destitute. Disagreements were rare and petty. Elspeth thought they were fine.
Then something cracked. Gareth grew irritable, nitpicking, constantly muttering about money and thrift, even though his salary as a senior manager at a multinational was comfortable.
Elspeth earned less, tried to help at home, cook, and stretch every pound.
But nothing was ever right for him. The food wasnt right, the cleaning wasnt right, the spending wasnt right.
Gareth returned to the kitchen, his face solemn.
Elspeth, we need to talk.
Im listening.
My mum called. Her blood pressure is erratic, her heart is rattling. She cant live alone.
And?
Ive decided shell move in with us for a while.
Elspeth stared at him.
Gareth, we have a onebedroom flat. Where will she sleep?
On the sofa in the living room. Well shift the bed to the kitchen, set up a foldout.
Youre serious?
Absolutely. Shes my motherI cant leave her in that state.
Im not saying we should leave her, but could we hire a carer? Or
A carer costs money we dont have, thanks to your splurges.
Elspeth clenched her fists under the table.
And my parents? Theyre seventy, my dad cant manage the house, mum cant walk after a stroke.
Your parents live in the village. They have their own cottage and garden. Theyre fine there.
Theyre not fine! I travel every weekend to chop wood, haul water, tidy up!
Keep traveling, but my mum will be here.
Why does your mum get to stay here while my parents must suffer in the village?
Gareths stare was cold.
Because my mum is alone. Your parents have each other, its easier for them. Plus the city has doctors, the village doesnt.
Youre hearing yourself, Gareth!
I hear. Mum will stay with us; your parents can remain in the village. Thats my decision.
Elspeth rose.
You decided, not we. No discussion.
Im the head of the household.
The head who spends on fishing gear but balks at a kitchen set for his wife!
Dont twist my words!
Im not twisting! Im stating! You think you have the right to decide for both of us, but when it comes to my parents its a different story!
Your parents live normally!
No! Its hard! And you never even offer to help! You never went with me, never asked what they need!
Gareth snatched the car keys.
Im tired of this. Mum arrives Saturday. Prepare a room.
What if I dont want to?
This is my flat. I pay the mortgage. My mother will live here, whether you like it or not.
He left. Elspeth sank to the floor of the kitchen and wept, silently, hopelessly.
This is my flat. My decision. My mother.
Am I a servant? A shadow who must obey any whim?
She wiped her tears, picked up the phone and dialed her parents.
Hello, love! her mothers voice was weak but bright.
Mum, how are you?
Fine, just keeping the fire going, dads chopping wood. Its a chilly year.
Mum, could you move to the city? I can find a place to rent
Dont be daft, love! Weve lived here all our lives. And where will you get the money for a rented flat?
Ill find something.
No need. We manage. You already do enough. Just dont overwork yourself.
Elspeth swallowed another wave of tears.
Ill be there on Sunday with groceries.
Come, love. Well be glad to see you.
Her parents had never complained; they always said theyd cope. Yet Elspeth saw the cracked walls, the coalfilled stove, the water bucket from the well, her fathers trembling steps at seventythree after heart surgery, her mothers left hand useless after a stroke. They endured.
Her motherinlaw, Edna, lived in a twobedroom flat in Leeds, sixtyfive, still fairly spry. She called Gareth ten times a day, offering advice on everything from clothing to travel. Gareth obeyed without question.
At first Elspeth tolerated, then protested, but Gareth always sided with his mother, claiming she only wanted his good.
Now Edna was moving into their cramped flat. Elspeth would have to tend to her, cook, clean, while her own parents stayed in the village.
Gareth came back late, went straight to the bedroom, ignoring her. She lay on the sofa, pretending to sleep.
The next morning he left a note on the kitchen table: Prepare a room for Mum on Saturday. Wash the floors, change the bedding.
Elspeth crumpled the note and tossed it in the bin.
Friday evening she drove to the village, bringing food, medicine, helping her father split firewood and tidying the cottage.
Over tea, her mother looked at her closely.
You look pale. Everything alright?
Its fine, Mum.
Dont lie. I can see when youre upset.
She sighed.
Edna is moving in with us.
Good, thats fine, her father shrugged. Old folks can stay.
Gareth says the flat is only one bedroom. Well sleep on the kitchen floor.
Give it time. She wont be long, right?
I dont know. He said until shes better, but who knows when that is.
Her mother sighed.
I understand, love. Its hard sharing a roof with your motherinlaw. But a son must look after his mum.
Does a daughter not have to look after her parents? Elspeth blurted.
Her parents exchanged a glance.
What are you on about? her father asked.
I suggested we bring you to the city, a bigger flat. He refused, saying the village is better for you.
Thats right, love. Were used to it. The city would be cramped for us.
Mom, youre in trouble! Dad can barely walk, you cant use your left hand!
We manage. As long as youre healthy, and Gareth is, were fine.
Elspeth leaned into her mother, crying.
Im exhausted. Im tired of being second, of his mum being more important than my parents.
Calm down, dear. Itll sort itself. Shell stay a while, then go back.
But Elspeth didnt believe it.
Saturday morning Edna arrived with three enormous suitcases.
Elspeth, lend a hand! she shouted from the doorway.
Silently, Elspeth helped haul the bags. Edna surveyed the room.
You live so cramped! You need a bigger place!
We cant afford it yet, Elspeth replied flatly.
You should earn more! Gareth, ask for a bonus!
Gareth, busy arranging her things, muttered, Mum, thats not how it works.
Edna commanded, Put this here, hang that there, tidy the kitchen!
Elspeth retreated to the stove, grinding out a stew while Edna barked orders.
Gareth cant have rich food; his liver is weak!
Chicken, steamed.
No, fish. I brought a pike, Ill show you how to cook it.
Elspeth tried to protest, but Edna brushed her aside, taking over the pan.
The lunch was a tense theatre of commands and halfhearted compliance.
Afterwards Edna collapsed on the sofa. Gareth came from behind, Thanks for taking Mum in.
You had a choice? Elspeth snapped.
Not really, he said.
Youre being polite, but youre cold.
Youre cold, she retorted.
Gareths voice rose, Shes my mother! I wont let you insult her!
Im not insulting, Im stating facts!
Ednas voice drifted from the bedroom, Whats happening here? Are you fighting?
No, Mum, everythings fine, Gareth called back, forcing a smile.
Elspeth wiped her eyes, finished the dishes, and the week slipped by. Edna settled in, filling half the wardrobe, spreading her belongings across the flat. Elspeth slept on a foldout in the kitchen, her back aching.
Each morning Edna stormed in, slamming plates, serving breakfast too oily for Elspeths taste, then blasting the telly at full volume, then lecturing: You wash the floor wrong, Elspeth. You set the washing temperature too low. You dress poorly.
Elspeth endured, doing as she always had. Edna complained to Gareth, who blamed Elspeth.
Why cant you listen to my mum? She wants to help!
I dont need her help!
Youre rude and ungrateful!
Arguments became daily. The pressure from work, the flat, Edna, and Gareth squeezed her thin patience.
One evening Elspeth sat at the kitchen table, tallying the dwindling pounds. She needed money for her parents medicine, for a neighbour who helped them, for the next month’s bills.
Edna entered.
I need new slippers, these are tight. Can you spare some money?
I have none left.
How can that be? Gareth got paid this week!
The salary goes to the mortgage and food.
And yours?
My wages cover my parents meds, the utilities, the basics.
Parents again! Edna hissed. You always pay for them, never for me!
Your pension is tiny, isnt it?
Its not enough! I need more!
Im short too, but Im not asking you.
Edna stormed out, then whispered to Gareth, She refused me! I asked for slippers!
Gareths face reddened. Youre refusing my mothers money for slippers?!
I have no spare cash!
And you spend yours on your parents!
Both of us are broke!
They shouted, while Edna watched, pleased.
Elspeth saw the scene from a distance, the absurdity of it allher husband caught between two mothers, both demanding, neither listening.
She stood, voice steady.
Thats enough.
What do you mean enough? Gareth asked, bewildered.
Everything. Im done with this. Im leaving.
Where will you go?
To my parents. Ill stay with them. If my help isnt wanted here, Ill be elsewhere.
Youre mad!
No, Im deciding.
Gareth froze.
Where?
To the village. Ill care for them there.
You cant just
I can, and I will.
She walked to the bedroom, began packing. Gareth followed, pleading.
Stop! You cant just walk out!
I can, and Im walking.
What about me?
Youll manage. Mum will cook, wash, iron. Shell take care of you.
I love you!
Elspeth paused, eyes meeting his.
If you loved me, you wouldnt put your mother above my needs, you wouldnt forget my dads birthday, you wouldnt ignore my parents.
I didnt forget!
But you never asked, you never offered to visit.
He was silent.
Im tired of being alone in this marriage, of carrying everything. Ill care for those who value my care.
She sealed her suitcase, lifted it, and headed for the door.
Edna stood in the hallway, eyes cold.
Youre leaving? Fine. Gareth will be better off without you.
Elspeth stopped, turning to the street beyond the flat. Snow fell, a soft grey blanket covering the world. She hailed a cab, rode to the train station, bought a ticket to the village.
She arrived late, the cottage dark. She slipped inside, shed her coat, and lay on the old sofa in the hallway.
Morning smelled of batter. Her mother was frying pancakes.
Love! Youre here!
Im staying.
How about Gareth?
Hes with Mum.
Her mother hugged her, eyes wet.
Poor thing, what happened?
It just happened.
They sat at the kitchen table, tea between them, and Elspeth recounted the flat, the fights, the decision.
You did right, her father said. You shouldnt endure that.
But I love him, she whispered.
Love isnt putting up with humiliation. Love is respect. He didnt give you that.
She nodded, feeling the truth settle.
She found work at the village library, modest pay but enough. She helped her parents with chores, slowly adjusting to rural life.
Gareth called at first, begging her to return, promising change. She listened, skeptical.
A month later he turned up at the gate, eyes hopeful.
Can I come in?
Come.
They sat in the kitchen while her parents tended the garden.
I get it now. Mum was overwhelming. I cant live like that.
Im thinking of selling the flat, he said. Bought a threebedroom house. Your parents could move in with us if you want.
Elspeth stared, disbelief mixing with a flicker of hope.
Did you really do that?
Yes. I realized I was wrong, that I put my mum above you.
What about Edna?
Shes angry, but I told her she either accepts us or well see less of each other. She chose to come over, apologise to your parents.
Elspeth felt tears rise.
So youll come back? Gareth asked.
She looked at his earnest face, his hands still stained from the days work in the garden.
Ill return, but on one conditionour families are equal, my voice matters as yours does.
He nodded. Agreed.
They embraced on the old porch, the wind carrying the scent of wet earth.
The road ahead would still be longrebuilding trust, balancing families, learning respect. But they had taken the first step.
Edna, true to her word, visited the village a week later, apologised to Elspeths parents, even helped her mother with the garden.
Soon they all moved into the new threebedroom house in a suburb of Manchester, a spacious home where each family had its own space, and where love finally meant equality.
