«I don’t have a spare room,» said my daughter when I arrived with my bags.
«Mum, did you pack everything? Did you remember your documents?» Emily nervously fidgeted with the strap of her handbag as she stood by the kitchen window.
«Do you think Ive completely lost my mind?» Margaret brushed her off, checking the contents of her suitcase for the third time. «Passports here, moneys here, medicine… Oh, I forgot my dressing gown! Emily, wheres my blue one?»
«Its in the wardrobe. Mum, do you really need it? Hannah probably has something you can borrow.»
Margaret stopped and looked at her daughter carefully.
«Emily, darling, Im not just going for a day. Hannah invited me for a proper visitto relax, get away from the city. The airs fresh there, and the rivers close. You said yourself it would do me good.»
«I did, I did…» Emily turned back to the window. «I just didnt know then that David would be out of work again. Third time this year.»
Her mother walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder.
«You never told me. What happened?»
«Whats there to tell? They brought in a new manager, wanted to shake things up. David was first on the redundancy list. Experience didnt matterthey just wanted cheap labour.»
Margaret shook her head and sat on the stool.
«I know its hard for you both. Maybe I should stay home? Help somehow…»
«No, Mum. Go. Hannahs expecting you, shes prepared everything.» Emily turned back, forcing a smile that didnt reach her eyes. «Youll rest properly, regain your strength.»
Margaret was about to say something when the phone rang.
«Hello? Mum? Its me, Hannah! How are you, are you coming? Ive got everything readyaired out the room, fresh sheets on the bed!»
«Im on my way, love. Emilys taking me to the station now.»
«Brilliant! I was starting to worry. Mum, Ive missed you so much! You wouldnt believe how lovely it is hereapple trees in bloom, the airs just wonderful. Youll feel the difference straight away after that city smog.»
«Alright, Hannah. See you soon.»
Margaret hung up and glanced at Emily.
«You see how excited she is. She hasnt seen me in six months.»
«Yeah. Excited.» Emily grabbed the car keys. «Come on, Mum, youll miss your train.»
The drive to the station was quiet. Margaret tried to start a conversation a few times, but Emily only gave short replies, her mind clearly elsewhere.
«Emily, maybe I should stay? I can tell things are difficult for you right now.»
«Mum, stop. Well manage. Davids been unemployed beforehell find something.»
«But what about money? How will you get by?»
Emily braked sharply at a red light.
«Well figure it out. Ive got my salary, hell get benefits. We wont starve.»
«But the mortgage…»
«Mum, please! Stay out of it. Were adults, well sort it ourselves.»
Margaret sighed and turned to the window. A weight settled in her chest. Emily had never been this sharp with her. Something was wrongsomething serious.
At the station, as she saw her mother off, Emily suddenly hugged her tightly.
«Sorry, Mum. Ive been awful today. Just… stressed.»
«Its alright, love. Call me if you need anything. Ill come straight back.»
«Have a good rest. Say hi to Hannah for me.»
The train pulled away, and Margaret waved from the window until Emily disappeared from view.
Hannah met her at the station with a bouquet of lavender and a beaming smile.
«Mum! Youre finally here!» She squeezed Margaret tightly. «How was the journey? Not too tired?»
«Fine, dear. Look at youso tanned and glowing!»
«Country air does that. No smog here. Come on, Ill show you the house! You havent seen it yet.»
The house was lovelysmall but cosy, with a big garden and a view of the river. Hannah gave her a tour, proudly pointing out the new furniture and fresh paint.
«This is your room,» Hannah said, opening the door to a bright space with two windows. «See how nice? Sun streams in mornings, and evenings you can watch the river.»
«Its beautiful, love. Wheres James?»
«Still at work. Hell be thrilled to see you tonighthes always asking about your shepherds pie.»
«Ill make him some, dont worry.» Margaret sat on the bed, looking around. «Its so peaceful here.»
«We love it. James has a good job, I do bits here and there. Were thinking of starting a family soon.»
«Thats wonderful! Id love grandchildren.»
Hannah sat beside her, taking her hand.
«Mum, hows Emily? She sounded upset when I last called.»
«Shes struggling. David lost his job again, moneys tight.»
«*Again*? But hes brilliant at what he does!»
«Just bad luck. Emilys taking it hard.»
Hannah frowned. «Maybe they should move here? Plenty of work, cheaper housing. I could ask James to look around.»
«I dont know, love. Theyre city people. And their flat… mortgage still isnt paid off.»
«Yeah, tricky…» Hannah stood. «Rest now, Ill start dinner. James wont be long.»
That evening, James was delighted to see Margaret. They lingered on the porch over tea, chatting as the tension of the past months melted away. Here, in this quiet place, among kind people, her soul felt lighter.
A week passed. Margaret helped Hannah with chores, explored the village, read books. She called Emily daily, but conversations were strained.
«How are you, love?»
«Alright. Davids interviewingmight get something soon.»
«And you? Not too tired?»
«Exhausted. But Ill manage.»
«Emily, should I come back?»
«No, Mum. Stay with Hannah. She was so excited for you.»
«But if you need help»
«Mum, *stop*. Were fine.»
Yet Margaret worried. Emilys voice grew wearier; once, shed even cried before quickly composing herself.
«Hannah, I think I should go home,» Margaret said at breakfast. «Somethings wrong with Emily.»
«But you just got here! Ive planned tripstheres a lovely museum nearby, weve barely been to the river»
«I know, love. But my hearts not at ease.»
Hannah sighed. «Alright. If youre sure, James will drive you.»
The journey home was uneasy. Margaret tried calling Emily repeatedly, but no answer.
She arrived at dusk. The building felt gloomier, the lift creakier. Her key wouldnt turnthe door was latched from inside.
«Emily! Its me!»
Silence, then footsteps.
«Mum? Youre meant to be at Hannahs…»
«Open up, love.»
The door opened, revealing a gaunt Emily, eyes red from crying.
«Emily! Whats happened?»
«Nothing. Just… tired.»
Margaret stepped inside and froze. Suitcases stood in the hall, papers covered the table.
«Love, whats going on? Wheres David?»
Emily sank onto the sofa, covering her face.
«I didnt know how to tell you. Didnt want to ruin your trip.»
«Tell me *now*.»
«Hes gone. For good. Said we were holding each other back. Moved in with a mate.»
Margaret sat beside her, pulling her close.
«Oh, my girl…»
«And works worse. But that hardly matters now.» Emily looked up. «Mum, Im selling the flat. Cant manage the mortgage alone. Buyers are lined upcompleting next week.»
«Where will you live?»
«Rent a room somewhere.»
Margaret absorbed this. «Come stay with me. My flats small, but»
«Mum, yours is a *studio*. Where would I sleep?»
«The sofa, temporarily. Well manage.»
Emily shook her head. «I wont intrude. And my jobs miles from yours.»
«What about Hannah? She said theres work there.»
«No. I wont be a burden.»
They sat in silence, sometimes talking, sometimes just holding each other. Margaret understoodsometimes presence mattered more than words.
The next day, they sorted the flat sale. The buyers were decent, not haggling.
«Feels like a weights lifted,» Emily admitted afterward. «Mortgage cleared, a bit left over. Enough to start fresh.»
«And then?»
«Ill figure it out. Maybe… maybe I *will* go to Hannahs. She called again last night.»
«Go, love. The countryside suits you.»
Emily stopped mid-step. «Will you come too?»
«Me? Ive got my flat, my friends, my doctor…»
«But youll be lonely.»
Margaret smiled. «Ill visit. Your lifes ahead of you.»
On moving day, Emily packed only essentials.
«The rest Ill sell or donate,» she said, surveying the near-empty flat. «Fresh start.»
«Good plan. New life, new things.»
At the station, Emily burst into tears.
«Mum, Im sorry. For being sharp, for not telling you… I was ashamed life fell apart.»
«Nonsense. Lifes *beginning*.» Margaret hugged her fiercely. «Go, dont look back. Hannahs thrilled, James will help. Ill visit soon.»
«Promise?»
«Absolutely.»
The train left. Margaret waved until it vanished, then walked home slowly. The empty flat was quiet, bittersweet but not bleak. Shed done rightnot smothering, not clinging.
A week later, Emily called, buoyant.
«Mum, Ive got a job! Local school needed a history teacher. The deputy head took one look at my CV and hired me!»
«Wonderful! And housing?»
«Staying with Hannah for now. She says theres no rushtheir place is huge.»
«Hannahs always been kind.»
«Yeah. And Mum? Ive slept better here than in years. Maybe… maybe this is where Im meant to be.»
Margaret hung up, smiling. Emily would be alright. And she? Shed stay in her world, content knowing both daughters had found their paths.
That evening, she wrote to Hannahthanking her for welcoming Emily, for kindness without questions. Sometimes the greatest help is simply being there.
The next day, Margaret rang a travel agent, browsing seaside breaks. At her age, life could begin anew toofreer, brighter. The children had grown, found their way. Now it was her turn.
*»I dont have a spare room,»* her daughter had said. And she was right. There are no spare rooms, just as there are no spare people in our livesonly the right time and place for each. A parents wisdom lies in knowing when to hold on, and when to let go.
