Long ago, in a quiet corner of London, Margaret sat at her kitchen table, sorting through bills. Her husband, Edward, had left for work hours before, yet she still hadnt found the will to tidy up. Her thoughts buzzed like restless bees. Lately, peace had fled their hometheir younger son, Thomas, had been fraying their nerves with his demands.
Margaret longed to finally live for herselfto redecorate the spare room just as she pleased, to buy new furniture for the sitting room. Thomas was to marry soon, and once he and his bride moved out, the house would be hers and Edwards alone. But life had other plans. Their eldest daughter, Eleanor, had recently divorced her layabout husband, leaving her with two children, Oliver and little Amelia. The dream of renovation vanishedthe largest bedroom went to Eleanor and the grandchildren instead.
In a months time, Thomas was set to wed his fiancée, Victoria. Months ago, hed brought her into their home, and now seven souls crowded their three-bedroom house, stepping on each others toes.
Victoria entered the kitchen. Margaret frowned the moment she saw her.
«Good morning, Margaret,» Victoria said, smoothing her perfect ponytail. «Are you having breakfast, or shall I sit alone? I dont wish to intrude.»
She addressed her future mother-in-law with unsettling familiarity, never using her proper title. There was something brazen about herMargaret would never have chosen such a girl for her son. But Thomas doted on her, so she and Edward endured it.
«Good morning, Victoria. Ive already eaten,» Margaret replied stiffly. «Give me five minutes to clear up, then you may have the kitchen.»
Victoria took a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water.
«Margaret, I wanted to ask you something. Thomas and I have been discussing where well live after the wedding. What do you think?»
Margaret set the bills aside. Here it wasthe thread theyd been tugging at for months.
«Weve spoken of this, Victoria. You may have the spare room.»
Victoria set down her glass, her face twisting into what Margaret had come to call «patronising disdain.»
«Margaret, lets be honest. Youve done a lovely job with the house. Its cosy, bright. But its yours. You and Edward have lived here thirty years. And with Eleanor and the children its no longer three people, but five. Thomas and I dont wish to live under a microscope.»
«And how do you imagine married life?» Margaret asked, irritation rising. «Youve no home of your own. Renting is all you can afford.»
«Thats precisely what weve been discussing,» Victoria said, sitting across from her. «We thought of your other flatthe one-bedder you let out. We could live there. Pay rent, of course or you could simply gift it to us.»
Margaret gave a wry smile.
«Ive two children, lest you forget. Should I hand you the flat and leave Eleanor with nothing?»
«Eleanor could live here,» Victoria shrugged. «Three bedroomsyou and Edward in one, Eleanor and the children in another. Plenty of space.»
«Eleanor cannot stay forever,» Margaret clenched her fists. «She needs her own life. And let me be clearIve no intention of giving you the flat. Youre young, you work. Earn your own home.»
«But that could take years!» Victoria threw up her hands. «Thomas just got a promotion, but saving for a flat will take five, maybe seven years! We want to live properly now!»
«Then why such an extravagant wedding?» Margarets tone brooked no argument. «Why hire limousines, release doves, book a banquet for a hundred, if you cant afford a roof? Marry quietly, put the money toward a deposit. Isnt that simpler?»
«Thats your opinion,» Victoria said coolly. «Thomas and I see it differently. Its our daywell celebrate as we dreamed. I want a beautiful dress. I want my friends to see were not paupers. Dont you understand?»
«Oh, I understand perfectly,» Margaret nodded. «You wish to show off. But I also know that no home of your own is a sure path to divorce. Wise couples secure a home before marrying.»
Victoria glared and stormed out. She had no retort.
***
That evening, Thomas broached the same subjectMargaret knew Victoria had put him up to it. This time, he faulted them for their recent anniversary celebration.
«Father and I dined at The Savoy because we could afford it. We scrimped for ten years, paid off the car loanthe car we gave you, Thomas. And yes, we celebrated well, because wed earned it!»
«You couldve stayed in! Had a barbecue at the cottage. Far cheaper. Imagine if I had that money now! How much did you spend? Two hundred? Three hundred grand?»
Margaret turned on him.
«You dare say this to me?» Her voice cracked. «You, who couldnt even save for a decent suit? We bought your wedding attire! Were covering seventy percent of this weddingwe took out a loan for your whims! And now you reproach me?»
«Dont shout,» Thomas snapped. «No ones reproaching you. Im claiming whats fair. Where am I to take my wife? Some rented hovel? Mother, Im asking you!»
«And I ask why her parents cant house you! You demand I surrender our only safety netthe flat I kept for our old age! Well keep letting it, as we always have.»
«Why should you? Youve had your turnnow give us ours!»
«You forget your sister, Thomas. Eleanor has childrenshe needs help more than you, young and able!»
Footsteps interruptedVictoria burst in.
«Eleanor can rely on her ex-husband,» she said sharply, «or this house youll leave her. Give us the flatwe wont claim the house. Right, Tommy?»
The row escalated. Each believed themselves right. Thomas and Victoria had long cast aside courtesythey no longer asked, but outright demanded a flat that was never theirs.
***
A week before the wedding, an unexpected calm settled over the house. Thomas and Victoria had gone to friends in the Cotswolds; Eleanor and the children visited cousins in York. Margaret and Edward relaxed before the telly when the doorbell rang. They exchanged glancesthey expected no one.
Edward answered. The latch clicked, and in swept Victorias mother, Beatricea woman Margaret had met but thrice, yet that was enough. Victoria was her mother made flesh.
«Eddie, hello. Maggie home? Let me through!»
Margaret stiffened. She reached the hall just as Beatrice kicked off her shoes.
«To what do we owe this?» Margaret asked, skipping pleasantries.
Beatrice grinned.
«Hello, Maggie. Came for a chat. Long overdue. The children marry soon, and my Vickys beside herselfweeping yesterday, complaining about you!»
Margaret arched a brow.
«Indeed? And what grievance does she hold?»
«Dont play daft, Maggie! Why wont you let them have the flat? Its just sitting there! Too stingy to help your own son?»
Edward exhaled sharply. Margaret squeezed his hand, silently urging restraint.
«Beatrice, why dont you buy them a home? Why is it my duty?»
Beatrice blinked.
«Good Lord, whered I get that sort of money? We live modestly. If I had a spare place, Id hand it over in a heartbeat! Now stop being difficultgive them the flat. No need for fuss.»
Edward had heard enough. He nudged Beatrice toward the door and barked:
«Enough! Out, now! Tell your daughter the flat stays ours. Final word!»
Cursing, Beatrice left. Edward rang Thomas at oncehe was to move out the moment he returned.
