**Diary Entry**
It was just after supper when my mother-in-law, Margaret, slid the roast beef from my plate back into the serving dish.
Emma froze by the stove, still holding her plate. The gravy from the roast remained, but every slice of meat had vanishedas if Margaret had counted each one before taking them away.
«Pardon?» Emma asked, barely believing her ears.
«Whats not to understand?» Margaret wiped her hands on her apron. «You werent part of this family to begin with. You forced your way in.»
The kitchen fell so silent you could hear the soup simmering. Emma set her plate down and swept a loose strand of hair from her forehead. Her hands shook.
«Margaret, I dont understand. Victor and I have been married five years! We have a daughter»
«And what of it?» Margaret cut in. «Sophie is our bloodthat much is true. But you? Youll always be an outsider.»
The kitchen door swung open, and Victor walked in, his hair mussed, shirt half-unbuttonedhe mustve dozed off after work.
«Whats going on?» he asked, glancing between his wife and mother. «Why the shouting?»
«We werent shouting,» Margaret said coolly. «Just talking. Explaining to your wife how things work in *this* house.»
Victor frowned at Emma. She stood pale-lipped, silent.
«Mum, what did you say?»
«The truth. That not everyone gets a share. Familys large, portions are small.»
Emma felt a lump rise in her throat. That was it. Five years believing she belonged. Five years of biting her tongue, enduring Margarets jabs, hoping things would change.
«Victor, Im going home,» she said quietly. «To Mums.»
«What do you mean, *home*?» Margaret snapped. «Your home is here now. Or do you think you can come and go as you please?»
«Mum, enough.» Victor stepped toward Emma. «What happened?»
Emma stayed silent. How could she explain that his mother had just made it clear she was nothing here? That even a plate of roast was too much for her?
«Ill pack Sophies things,» she said instead. «Well stay with Mum for the weekend.»
«What for?» Margaret huffed. «Her grandmothers right herewhy drag the child somewhere else?»
«Because *this* grandmother doesnt think her mother is family,» Emma replied softly. «Maybe her granddaughter belongs elsewhere too.»
She turned for the door. Victor grabbed her wrist.
«Em, wait! Talk to me properly. Whats happened?»
Emma looked back. Her husband stared at her, bewildered, while Margaret stood by the stove, pretending to stir the soup.
«Ask your mother,» Emma said. «Shell explain it better.»
In the nursery, three-year-old Sophie played with her dolls. She beamed when Emma entered.
«Mummy! Look, Im feeding Alice!»
«Good job, love.» Emma knelt to hug her. «Are you hungry?»
«Yes! Grandma said were having roast!»
«We are, sweetheart. But were going to eat at Grandma Helens instead.»
Sophie gasped. «Your mummy? Yay! Is Daddy coming?»
«No, Daddys staying home.»
Emma packed Sophies bagdresses, tights, toys, everything theyd need for a few days. As she folded a jumper, Victor appeared in the doorway.
«Emma, this is childish. Youre leaving over nothing?»
«Childish?» Emma straightened. «Your mother just told me Im not family. She took food off my plate. Is that *nothing*?»
«She says things! You know shes got a temper.»
«And Im supposed to forget?»
«Bloody hell, Em! Mums just tired. Works been hardshe took it out on you.»
Emma laughed bitterly.
«Tired? For *five years*? And Im always the one she takes it out on.»
«Well, ignore her then!»
«Ignore being called a stranger in my own home? Victor, listen to yourself!»
He ran a hand through his hair, pacing. A familiar gesturehe did it whenever he was lost for words.
«Em, where will you even go? Were a family. Weve got a child.»
«Exactly why Im leaving. I wont let Sophie hear her mother being belittled.»
«Whos belittling you? Mum just gave her opinion.»
«Her *opinion*?» Emma stopped packing. «Victor, she took food from me. Said I dont belong. Is that an opinion?»
He sighed. «Shes just blunt. But you know how she is. Raised us alone after Dad diedshes used to controlling everything.»
«So Im supposed to live under her control forever?»
Victor sat on the bed, taking Emmas hands.
«Em, lets not fight. Ill talk to her.»
«What will you say? That Im human? That I have feelings?»
«Yeah. Ill tell her to back off.»
Emma shook her head.
«Victor, its not about rudeness. Its that your mother doesnt accept me. And youve let it happen.»
«She just needs time»
«Five years isnt enough?»
From the kitchen, Margaret called, «Victor! Dinners ready!»
He stood. «Come on, lets eat. Well talk after.»
«No, thanks. Ive lost my appetite.»
Victor hesitated, then left. Emma could hear him and Margaret talkingvoices rising, then falling.
She dialled her mother.
«Mum? Its me. Can we stay with you a few days?»
«Of course, love. Whats wrong?»
«Ill explain later. Were leaving now.»
«Alright. Ive made enough beef stew for everyone.»
Emma smiled faintly. Mum always said «enough for everyone.» Never counted portions.
Sophie chattered excitedly on the bus about her dolls and plans for tomorrow.
«Mummy,» she asked as they neared Grandma Helens, «why isnt Daddy coming?»
«Daddys working, sweetheart. Hell visit later.»
Helen met them at the door with a warm hug. She was everything Margaret wasntkind, gentle, always ready to help.
«Oh, Ive missed you!» She scooped Sophie up. «Look how big youve got!»
«Grandma, do you have new stories?»
«Plenty! Well read after supper.»
At the table, Helen served generous portions, saying, «Eat up! Emma, youve lost weight. Arent they feeding you?»
«They do. Just havent had much appetite.»
«Itll come back. Home is where the heart is.»
*Home.* Emma looked aroundthe cosy kitchen, the old china cabinet, photos on the walls. Here, no one called her an outsider.
After supper, once Sophie was asleep, they sat with tea.
«Tell me what happened,» Helen said.
Emma didMargarets words, the roast, the open rejection. Helen listened quietly.
«And how did Victor react?»
«Like always. Said she was just tired, that I should ignore it.»
Helen stirred her tea. «And how do *you* feel?»
«Exhausted. Five years of trying, and she still wont accept me.»
«Give me examples.»
Emma sighed. «The cookings never right. The cleanings never enough. When Sophie was ill last month, Margaret said I was a rubbish mother.»
«And Victor?»
«He stays quiet. Or says shes just worried about her granddaughter.»
Helen set her cup down. «Love, are you happy in this marriage?»
The question caught Emma off guard. She stared out at the evening lights.
«I dont know. I used to be. Now? I feel like a guest in my own family.»
«Why didnt you tell me sooner?»
«I thought itd pass. That Margaret would soften.»
«Seems she hasnt.»
Rain tapped against the window.
«Mum, when you married Dad how did Grandma take it?»
Helen smiled. «Your Gran? Called me daughter from day one. Said, Now Ive got two girls, and treated me better than her own daughter.»
«Why?»
«Because she saw how much your dad loved me. Where theres love, theres room for everyone.»
Emma thought. Did Victor love her? Truly? Or was it just habit?
Her phone rangVictor.
«Emma, where are you?»
«At Mums. Like I said.»
«When are you coming home?»
«Dont know. Maybe Sunday.»
«Sunday? Youve got work Monday!»
«I called in sick.»
A pause.
«Emma, stop sulking. Come home. Well talk.»
«About what, Victor? That your mother doesnt see me as a person?»
«Christ, Em! Shes just herself. Needs time.»
«Five years isnt enough?»
«Emma, dont make this harder. Familys all weve got.»
«*You* have a family. Seems I dont.»
She hung up. Helen handed her a tissue.
«Cry if you need to.»
But there were no tears. Just emptinessand strange relief, like a weight lifted.
The next morning, Helen went to the shops. Emma played with Sophiedolls, books, playdough. Sophie was thrilledGrandma Helen allowed everything the other Grandma forbade.
«Mummy,» Sophie asked at lunch, «why arent we at home?»
«Were visiting Grandma Helen.»
«How long?»
«Not sure, sweetheart.»
«Will Daddy come?»
Emma looked at her. So young, yet sensing something wrong.
«Daddys working. But he loves us.»
«Does Grandma Margaret love us?»
Emma sighed.
«She loves *you*. Youre her granddaughter.»
«And you?»
Emma hesitated. How explain adult cruelty to a child?
«Lets play hide-and-seek?»
Sophie clapped and ran off.
That evening, Victor called again.
«Emma, Mum wants to apologise.»
«Really?»
«Yeah. She realises she was out of line.»
«What exactly does she realise?»
«That it was wrong. That youre family.»
Emma shook her head. «Victor, shes only apologising because *you* made her. Not because she means it.»
«Whats the difference? Shes willing to say sorry.»
«The difference is itll happen again.»
«It wont. Ive talked to her.»
«What did you say?»
A pause.
«That youre my wife. She has to respect you.»
«Has to? By order?»
«Emma, why twist it? Im on *your* side!»
«Then why wait five years? Why let her belittle me?»
«I didnt *let*»
«You did, Victor! By staying silent!»
In the background, Margarets voice: «Tell her I made soup! Her favourite, with dumplings!»
Emma closed her eyes. Even now, Margaret couldnt just apologise. Had to make it about her *generosity*.
«Victor, I need time.»
«Time for what? Come home tomorrow.»
«Its not that simple,» she said quietly. «I cant live like this anymore.»
«Like what?»
«Where Im not respected. Where Sophie grows up in this tension.»
«Emma, what are you saying?»
«That I need to think. About us. Our marriage.»
Silence. Then:
«Are you saying you want a divorce?»
«I dont know. Maybe.»
«Because of *Mum*?»
«Not because of her, Victor. Because of *you*. Because you never stood up for me. Not once in five years.»
She hung up, switched off her phone. Her hands shook, but her mind was clearer.
Helen returned with shopping bags.
«Help me unpack,» she said. «Got extra mincewell make meatballs. Sophie loves them.»
Emma helped silently. There *was* plentyenough for everyone, with leftovers.
«Mum,» she asked, «what matters most in a family?»
Helen thought.
«Love, I suppose. And respect. Without those, its not a family.»
«And if ones missing?»
«Then its just misery.»
Emma nodded. Mum always knew how to say big things simply.
That night, they watched cartoons with Sophie snuggled between them. Warm. Safe.
«Mummy,» Sophie murmured before bed, «are we going home tomorrow?»
«Maybe,» Emma said. «Do you want to?»
«Not really. Its nicer here. Grandmas kind.»
Children feel more than adults realise.
The next morning, the doorbell rang. Victor stood there with flowers.
«Hi,» he said awkwardly. «Can I come in?»
Helen let him in and put the kettle on. Sophie squealed, hugging him.
«Daddy! You came!»
«Course I did, princess. Missed you.»
Victor sat beside Emma.
«Em, Ive been thinking. Youre right. I shouldve defended you.»
«And now?»
«Now it changes. I promise.»
«How?»
He pulled keys from his pocket.
«Found us a flat. Months rent for now. Well try living on our own.»
Emma stared.
«Seriously?»
«Dead serious. Mum fought it, but I stood firm. Told her my family comes first.»
«What did she say?»
«Plenty. Doesnt matter now.»
Emma took the keys. Small, ordinarybut they meant a new start. A chance without Margarets shadow.
«Victor, what if it doesnt work? Moneys tight.»
«Itll work. Ill take extra shifts.»
Helen brought tea.
«Victor, will you eat?»
«Thanks, Helen. Id love to.»
She laid the tableequal portions, no one left out.
«Well,» she said, sitting, «shall we toast to your new home?»
Emma looked at Victor, then at Mum, then at Sophie carefully buttering her toast.
«Yes,» she said. «We will.»
Tomorrow, theyd see the flat. Their own spacewhere no one counted slices of meat or decided who belonged.
Where thered always be room at the table.
**Lesson Learned:** Love isnt enough if respect is missing. A family isnt just bloodits the people who make sure you always have a place.
