«Mom, why are you still chasing after dates?» I asked, watching my mother clutch her tea cup. «You’re supposed to be looking after the grandkids, not playing at love.» Olivia froze, the porcelain trembling in her hand. Across the table, Natalie stirred her tea absentmindedly, a halfsmile quirking her lips. Something tightened inside her. She placed the cup gently on its saucer, trying not to let her shaking fingers show.
«Natalie,» she began softly, «I’ve been on my own for five years and I’m only fifty. I deserve happiness too, you know.»
Her daughterinlaw burst out laughing, a sharp sound that cut my ears.
«Well, you can wish for it, of course,» Natalie said, leaning back in her chair. «But it’s hard for young people to find partners these days, and you? It’s not the right time.»
Olivia’s cheeks flushed, a sting rising up her throat. She rose from the table, gathering the cups, her hands unsteady.
«The tea is over,» she said dryly.
Natalie shrugged, gave no goodbye, and slipped back to her own room. Olivia was left alone in the kitchen, standing at the sink, staring out at the grey courtyard. The words of her daughterinlaw lodged like a splinter. Was she truly unwanted? Had her time passed?
For two days Olivia moved through the house like a shadow, avoiding conversation. Arthur tried to find out what was wrong, but she brushed him off. What could she say? Complain about his wife? Noshe didn’t want to be the meddling motherinlaw who sows discord.
On the third day, a call came from Grace, a school friend. She invited Olivia over for tea. A change of scenery would do her good, Olivia thought, and agreed.
Grace welcomed her with a warm hug and led her to the kitchen. They settled at the table, and as Olivia looked into familiar eyes, a feeling of her world unraveling washed over her.
«Grace, I think my life has taken a wrong turn,» Olivia said, wrapping her hands around a steaming mug. «A year ago Arthur brought his wife home. The younger generation saves for their own homes. I’m trying to be a good motherinlaw. Our relationship is warm, even happy. I’m proud of my son. But I want to be loved again and to love someone… And my daughterinlaw tells me I’m too old for new romance. Maybe she’s right.»
Grace placed her hand over Olivia’s.
«Olive, don’t listen to her,» she said firmly. «I was single at thirty after my divorce. I spent my whole life raising children and never thought of myself. In the end they all moved out and I was left alone. I still don’t know how to look for someone again. But you shouldn’t waste timeact.»
Olivia felt a weight lift as Grace spoke. The friend understood, offered support.
Then Grace, thoughtful, said, «Listen, Olive… I have a cousin, Tom. He’s a decent bloke, fiftythree, divorced five years ago, with two grown kids. Want me to introduce you? Meet up somewhere and see where it goes.»
Olive’s heart pounded. It was frightening to agree, but even scarier to stay alone forever.
«Let’s give it a try,» she said.
They arranged to meet at a small café. Olive arrived a little early, fidgeting with the fabric of her dress. Soon a tall, silverhaired man entered. Olivia recognised him instantlyAnthony.
He approached the table with a smile. «Olivia? A pleasure. Grace has told me a lot about you.»
They ordered coffee and began to talk, awkward at first, with pauses. Gradually the conversation thawed. Anthony spoke of his work as an engineer, of his two daughters who now lived on their own, of the year after his divorce when he couldn’t imagine starting over. Olivia shared her own griefher husband had died suddenly, and she had struggled for years to accept the loss.
Both carried a lifetime of experience, enough to keep the talk flowing. No pretence, no masks. Two weary but unbroken people, willing to give themselves another chance.
When evening fell, Anthony walked Olivia to the bus stop, handing her a modest bunch of daisies bought from a stall.
«Simple, I know,» he said, scratching his forehead shyly.
Olivia pressed the flowers to her chest and smiled broadly. «Thank you. They’re lovely.»
At home Arthur greeted her with a whistle, eyes widening at the bouquet. «Mum, look at you! You’re practically glowing. Someone’s really impressed,» he winked.
Olivia laughed, hugging her son. It felt good that he wasn’t opposed, that he was happy for her.
«Well, it’s still early to say much,» she replied, a little embarrassed. «I just had a nice time with a nice man.»
Just then, Natalie appeared in the doorway, her expression hardening. «So what now? Where will these dates lead?» she demanded.
Olivia stammered. «Natalie, I told youit’s too soon to talk about that. We just met.»
«Come off it,» Natalie snapped. «You think he’s interested in you because of your flat? Otherwise why would you let him in?»
Tears sprang to Olivia’s eyes. Arthur leapt up, taking his wife’s hand. «Natalie, what nonsense is that? You don’t even know the man! Why jump to conclusions?»
Natalie lifted her hand. «I’m not accusing, I’m just seeing. There are so many freeloaders out there. Only family can be trusted, Arthur.»
Olivia retreated to her bedroom, shut the door, and collapsed onto the bed. The simple bouquet lay on the nightstandinnocent, unassuming. Maybe Natalie had a point; perhaps Olivia was being naïve. The hurtful words of her daughterinlaw cut deeper because they were spoken in front of her son, trying to turn him against his mother.
In the weeks that followed, Olivia kept meeting Anthony. Each outing brought joythey strolled through the park, went to the cinema, lingered over coffee, talked endlessly. One afternoon Anthony broached the subject of the future.
«Olive, I dont want to rush things, but would you consider moving in with me? I think a twobedroom flat would be cozy enough, and I have a cottage we could spend summers at. Im looking for something serious.»
Olivia felt warmth spread inside her. Natalie was wrong.
She headed home, ready to tell her daughterinlaw about Anthony’s intentions, to prove not all men are scoundrels. But as she turned the corner, she saw Natalie sitting on a bench with a friend, their voices rising.
«I dont know what to do next! Arthur wants a baby, and Im not ready yet. Ive always counted on my motherinlaw to watch the grandchild while I work. Now shes off in love, floating on clouds. I’ve tried to tell her to end it, but she wont listen!»
Olivia slipped away, taking a different path around the house. The chill that settled inside told her this wasn’t concernit was selfishness. She was being used as a free babysitter.
Later, at dinner, Olivia asked her son, «Arthur, how much more do you need for the deposit on a house?»
He looked surprised. «About £500,000. But, Mum, were not asking you…»
«I know,» Olivia replied. «Ive decided to use part of my savings to help you. That way you can finally have a home of your own.»
Arthur leapt up, hugging his mother. «Mum, thank you! This is amazing!»
Natalie scowled. Arthur turned to her. «Natalie, thank Mum!»
Olivia stared at her daughterinlaw. «She wont thank me. I didnt want to be a free babysitter; I chose myself.»
Arthur froze. «What?»
Olivia recounted everythingthe street conversation, Natalies scheme to keep her as a nanny and her attempts to sabotage Anthony.
Arthurs face went pale. He looked at his wife, his expression twisted. «Is that true, Mum?»
Natalie stayed silent, staring at the floor. «Answer me!» Arthur shouted.
She snapped back, «Whats so terrible about it? I was just trying to do whats best for us, to have someone help with the baby.»
«Get out! Pack your things and leave. I dont want to see you again,» Olivia said.
Arthur shouted, «Youve gone mad!»
Natalie shouted, «Youre the one whos lost it. Im filing for divorce!»
She began to sob, but the tears didnt affect Arthur. He gave her time to gather her things, and the door slammed shut behind her.
Arthur sank into a chair, covering his face with his hands. Olivia knelt beside him, pulling him into an embrace.
«Forgive me, Mum. Im sorry I didnt see what she was like. Im sorry I didnt protect you,» he whispered.
«Itll be alright, love. Everything will be fine…»
Three years later.
The cottage was awash in summer green. The July sun beat down, but under the canopy by the long table there was a pleasant shade. Olivia carried salads with a smile, while Anthony tended the barbecue. Arthur rocked his threemonthold grandson, Max, in his arms, and his wife Irene set the plates. Anthonys daughters, Katie and Leah, cooed over the baby, delighted by every tiny movement.
«Oh, look how cute he is!» Katie squealed, tickling Maxs chin. «Arthur, how did you get such a handsome lad?»
Arthur laughed. «All credit to Irene, Im just the sidekick!»
Leah joined them, making funny faces at Max.
Olivia watched the scene, unable to stop smiling. The big, noisy family gathered around the table, laughter and warmth filling the air. She caught Arthurs eye; his grin held gratitude, love, and happiness.
She returned his smile. Everything had fallen into placefor both of them.
