Margaret handed over a plate covered with a tea towel, her floral apron swaying as she moved. «Take these cheese and onion pasties, they’re still warm. Baked them fresh this morning. And a jar of my homemade strawberry jamonly made it yesterday.»
«Thank you, Elizabeth, you spoil me,» Margaret replied with a grateful smile. «At least stay for teayou’re always rushing off. We never get a proper catch-up.»
«Would love to,» Elizabeth nodded, stepping into the kitchen. «Besides, there’s news. Have you heard about the row between Laura and her husband next door?»
Margaret sighed, reaching for the teacups. «Who hasn’t? The whole street knows. Shouting loud enough to rattle the windows. What on earth was it about?»
«Apparently, he went and brought his mum down from Yorkshirewithout so much as a word. And you know they’ve only got that tiny flat,» Elizabeth shook her head, settling at the table. «Laura was absolutely livid.»
Margaret put the kettle on and sat opposite. «Thats Steven, isnt it? The one who never thinks things through? He didnt even discuss it with his wife?»
«Probably scared shed say no. The poor womans got nowhere elseher cottage burnt down. So he turns up with her, no warning.» Elizabeth lowered her voice. «Ran into Sarah from number twelve yesterdayshe says Lauras packing her things. Moving out.»
«Good heavens!» Margaret gasped. «All because of his mother?»
Elizabeth shrugged. «Who knows if its true, but where theres smoke»
That same evening, in a modest terraced house on the outskirts of Manchester, Helen paced the kitchen, clutching her phone. Her movements were sharptucking a strand of greying hair behind her ear, drumming her fingers on the counter, her brow furrowed.
«Emma, I just dont know what to do,» she said into the phone. «He didnt even ask! Just dropped it on me like a bombshell. Can you imagine? I come home from work, and theres Dorothy sitting with her suitcases, making herself at home!»
Her friends voice crackled on the line, but Helen cut in. «Yes, I know shes got nowhere elseI understand that! But why couldnt he talk to me first? Were married, for heavens sake! You dont make decisions like this alone!»
The door creaked open, and in walked Roberttall, weary, his hair thinning at the crown. Helen fell silent, her gaze sharp.
«Emma, Ill call you back,» she said curtly and hung up.
The silence thickened. Robert opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and poured a glass, avoiding her eyes.
«Wheres Dorothy now?» Helen finally asked.
«Resting in the lounge,» he muttered. «Long journey.»
«In the lounge,» Helen echoed. «On our sofa.»
«Where else is she meant to go?» His voice turned defensive. «We dont have a spare room.»
«Thats exactly the point, Rob!» She fought to keep her voice steady. «Weve got a tiny house. Sixty square metres for three? Its already cramped! And you just move your mother in without even discussing it!»
«What was I supposed to do?» He slammed the glass down, water sloshing. «Her house burnt down! Did you want me to leave her on the street?»
«I wanted you to talk to me first!» Her voice rose, then dropped to a hiss as she remembered Dorothy in the next room. «We couldve figured something out togethermaybe rented her a room, or she couldve stayed with your sister in Leeds!»
«Claires miles away,» Robert rubbed his temples. «And renting costs money. Were barely making ends meet as it is.»
Helen shook her head. «Its not about the money. Its about you deciding for both of us. You didnt even call to warn meI walk in, and there she is!»
«I tried calling,» he muttered. «You didnt pick up.»
«I was in a meeting! Couldnt you have waited two hours? Did you have to spring it on me like this?»
Robert stared into his glass, silent.
«Fine,» Helen took a shaky breath. «Whats done is done. But we need to talk about how long this lasts. Does your mum have insurance? Is she rebuilding?»
«The place is condemned,» he admitted. «It was practically falling apart anyway. No insurancewho insures cottages out there? So its long-term, Helen. Maybe for good.»
«Forever?» Her legs wobbled, and she sank onto a chair. «Rob, are you mad? Three of us in this house wont work!»
«Where else can she go?» he repeated stubbornly. «Shes my mum. Im all shes got.»
«And what about me?» Helen whispered. «Who have I got? Only you.»
Dorothy appeared in the doorwaya petite woman with silver hair pinned up, dressed in a floral frock and cardigan despite the warm evening.
«Sorry to interrupt,» she said hesitantly. «But the walls are thin.»
Helen and Robert fell silent. Dorothy shifted awkwardly.
«Helen, love,» she continued softly. «I know Ive come at a bad time. If Im in the way, I can go. Maybe theres space at a care home»
«Mum, dont be daft,» Robert stood, wrapping an arm around her. «Youre staying. This is your home now too.»
Helens chest tightened. *Your home now.* Hed declared it without consulting her. But aloud, she only said, «Dorothy, its not about you being in the way. Its about decisions being made together. Rob and I are a team. But hes acting like his word is the only one that matters.»
«I understand, dear,» Dorothy nodded. «Young couples need their space. Ill just be underfoot.»
«Mum!» Robert groaned. «No one said that. Helens rightI shouldve talked to her first.»
Dorothy sighed and sat heavily. «Robert, dont fib for my sake. I can see Ive come at the wrong time. Helens exhausted, and here I am, another problem.»
Helen blinked. Dorothy was saying what Robert *should* have. Despite herself, she felt a pang of warmth.
«Dorothy,» she said gently. «Lets talk properly. Its a difficult situation, but not impossible. When did the fire happen?»
«Three days ago,» Dorothy wiped her eyes with a lace handkerchief. «Id gone to help a neighbour bake scones. Faulty wiring, they said. By the time I got back» Her voice cracked. «Forty years in that house. Gone.»
Helens throat tightened. How could she have been so selfish? The woman had lost everything.
«Im so sorry,» she said, covering Dorothys hand with hers. «Of course youll stay as long as you need. But we *have* to make decisions together.»
Dorothy squeezed her fingers. «Thank you, love. Ill keep out of your wayhelp with cooking, cleaning. Im still spry, thank the Lord.»
Robert exhaled, relieved. «Right. Lets have dinner. Got a roast chicken and salads on the way home.»
The meal passed stiffly. Dorothy spoke of her garden, her village, neighbours now gone. Robert listened intently; Helen pushed food around her plate, dreading how their lives would change.
Later, as Helen scrubbed dishes, Robert unfolded the sofa bed.
«Let me help,» Dorothy said, drying a plate.
«Thanks,» Helen handed her another. «Dorothy, Im sorry about earlier. That wasnt fair.»
«Dont fret, dear,» Dorothy smiled. «I shouldve known better than to barge in. But Robert said you wouldnt mind. I believed him.»
Helens grip tightened on a glass. So hed lied to both of them.
«Well talk to him,» she said firmly. «All of us.»
Dorothy nodded. «Give him time. Hes always been stubborngets it from his father.»
They finished in silence. Robert hauled out a camp bed from the cupboard.
«Whats that for?» Helen frowned.
«Mum cant sleep on the sofabad back. Needs something firmer. So shell take the camp bed, Ill have the sofa.»
«And where do I sleep?» Helens voice turned brittle. «On the floor?»
«In our room, obviously,» Robert frowned. «Where else?»
«So were sleeping separately now?» She crossed her arms. «Brilliant.»
«Helen, not this again,» he sighed. «We cant both fit on the camp bed. Someone has to sleep apartwhats the big deal?»
«The *deal* is you deciding without asking me. Again.»
«Kids, dont argue,» Dorothy fretted. «Ill manage on the sofa»
«No, Mum,» Robert cut in. «Doctors orders. Camp bed or nothing.»
Helen threw up her hands and stormed off.
In the bedroom, tears burned her cheeks. It wasnt Dorothyshe was kinder than expected. It was Robert, bulldozing over her like she didnt matter.
A soft knock. Dorothy entered with a steaming mug. «Peppermint tea. Helps with nerves.»
«Thanks,» Helen took it, ashamed.
«Ive been where you are,» Dorothy sat beside her. «Roberts always thought he knew best. Drove me spare when he was fifteen.»
Helen almost laughed. «What did you do?»
«Talked. Shouting just makes him dig in. But if you explain *why* his plan wont work»
«I tried,» Helen sighed.
«Not now,» Dorothy patted her hand. «Hes wound up, playing the hero. Wait till morning. Andif you like, Ill sleep on the floor. You and Robert take the lounge.»
Helen shook her head. «Your back wouldnt take it. I just need to adjust.»
Dorothy smiled. «Ill keep to myself. Help where I cancooking, sewing. Make it homelier.»
Helen felt the knot in her chest loosen. Dorothy wasnt some meddling matriarchjust a woman whod lost everything.
«Dorothy,» she said suddenly. «Welcome to the family. Properly.»
Dorothys eyes glistened as she clasped Helens hand. «Thank you, love. You wont regret it.»
And somehow, Helen knew she wouldnt.
