**Diary Entry June 12th**
Mrs. Wilkins from next door popped by this morning with a plate of still-warm sausage rolls. «Made them fresh this morning,» she said, adjusting her floral apron. «And a jar of blackberry jamjust set yesterday.»
«Bless you, Margaret,» I replied, taking the treats with a grateful smile. «Do stay for teayoure always in such a rush these days.»
She nodded, stepping into the kitchen. «Suppose I could spare a moment. Besides, have you heard about the row at the Thompsons? Their lad and his wife had a right barney last night.»
I sighed, reaching for the teacups. «Whole street heard it, I reckon. Shouting loud enough to rattle the windows. What was it about?»
«Apparently, he went and fetched his mum from Sheffieldwithout so much as a word to his missus. And theyve only got that tiny flat above the bakery,» Margaret tutted, settling at the table. «Emilythe wifewent spare.»
I put the kettle on and sat opposite. «Thatd be young Daniel, wouldnt it? The one who never thinks things through?»
«Suppose he thought shed say no. His mums cottage burned downnowhere else for her to go. So he just turns up with her in tow, no warning.» Margaret lowered her voice. «Ran into Sarah from number five earliershe says Emilys packing her bags. Leaving him.»
«Youre joking!» I gasped. «Over his mum moving in?»
Margaret shrugged. «Might just be gossip, but where theres smoke…»
Later that evening, across town in a cramped terrace house, forty-year-old Claire paced the kitchen, phone clutched in her hand. Her movements were sharptucking a strand of greying hair behind her ear, drumming her fingers on the counter.
«Liz, I dont know what to do,» she said into the phone. «He didnt even ask! Just sprung it on me. Came home from work, and theres Dorothy with her suitcases, making herself at home!»
Lizs muffled reply came through, but Claire cut her off. «Of course I feel awful for herIm not heartless! But why couldnt he talk to me first? Were supposed to be partners, for heavens sake!»
The door creaked open, and in walked Jamestall, balding, exhaustion written all over his face. Claire fell silent, shooting him a glare.
«Liz, Ill call you back.» She hung up.
The silence thickened. James opened the fridge, poured himself a glass of water, avoiding her eyes.
«Wheres Dorothy?» Claire finally asked.
«Resting in the lounge,» he muttered. «Long journey.»
«The lounge,» Claire echoed. «On our sofa.»
«Where else was she supposed to go?» James voice turned defensive. «We havent got a spare room.»
«Thats exactly my point, James. This place is barely big enough for two. And you moved your mother in without even discussing it!»
«What choice did I have?» He slammed the glass down, water sloshing. «Her house burned to the ground! Was I supposed to leave her on the street?»
«I wanted you to talk to me first!» Claire hissed, then lowered her voice, remembering Dorothy in the next room. «We couldve figured something outmaybe rented her a bedsit, or she couldve stayed with your sister in Manchester!»
«Lucys two hours away,» James rubbed his temples. «And rentings money we dont have. Were already stretched thin.»
Claire shook her head. «Its not about the money. Its about you making decisions for both of us. You didnt even call to warn me! I walked into my own home to find your mother unpacking!»
«I tried calling,» he muttered. «You didnt pick up.»
«I was in a meeting! Couldnt you have waited two hours? Did you have to ambush me?»
James stared into his glass like it held answers.
«Fine,» Claire took a steadying breath. «Whats done is done. But we need to talk about how long this lasts. Does she have insurance? Is she rebuilding?»
«Place was condemned anyway,» James admitted. «Been falling apart for years. And nowho insures a cottage in the middle of nowhere? So… this is long-term, Claire. Maybe permanent.»
«Permanent?» Her legs wobbled; she sank onto a chair. «James, have you lost your mind? We cant fit three people here!»
«Where else is she supposed to go?» he repeated stubbornly. «Shes my mum. Im all shes got.»
«And what about me?» Claires voice was small. «Im your wife. Youre all Ive got too.»
Just then, Dorothy appeared in the doorwaya stout woman with silver hair pinned up, wearing a faded floral dress despite the summer heat.
«Sorry to interrupt,» she said softly. «But these walls are thin. I heard everything.»
Claire and James fell silent. Dorothy shifted awkwardly.
«Claire, love,» she continued, «I know Ive turned up like a bad penny. If Im in the way, Ill go. Theres a sheltered housing place in town»
«Mum, dont be daft,» James interrupted, wrapping an arm around her. «Youre not going anywhere. This is your home now.»
Claires chest tightened. *Your home now*decided without her. But aloud, she only said, «Dorothy, its not that youre unwelcome. Its that James shouldve discussed it with me first. Were a team.»
«I understand, pet,» Dorothy nodded. «You young folks need your space. Dont need an old biddy underfoot.»
«Mum!» James scowled. «No one said that. Claires rightI shouldve talked to her.»
Dorothy sighed, sinking onto a chair. «Dont defend me, son. I can see Ive come at a bad time. Claires had a long day, and here I am with my troubles.»
Claire blinked. Dorothy was saying everything James should have. Unexpected warmth flickered in her chest.
«How long ago did the fire happen?» she asked gently.
«Three days back,» Dorothy said, dabbing her eyes with a lace handkerchief. «Id gone to help Mrs. Higgins with her baking. Wiring mustve shorted. Came back to flames. Forty years in that house… all gone.»
Claires guilt flared. «Im so sorry. Of course you can stay as long as needed. We just… need to figure out how to make it work.»
Dorothy patted her hand. «Youre kind, love. Ill keep out of your wayhelp with cooking and cleaning. Still got some life in me.»
James relaxed visibly. «Right. Lets have dinner. Picked up a roast chicken on the way.»
The meal passed stiffly. Dorothy chatted about her garden, her neighborsall lost now. James listened intently, while Claire picked at her food, dreading their new reality.
Later, as Claire washed up, Dorothy appeared with a tea towel. «Let me help.»
«Thanks,» Claire passed her a plate. «And… Im sorry for how I reacted earlier.»
«Dont fret, pet,» Dorothy said. «James told me youd be fine with it. Didnt realize hed not asked.»
Claire sighed. «Its not you. Its how he does things. Fifteen years together, and he still makes unilateral decisions.»
«Stubborn as his father,» Dorothy chuckled. «Never listens once hes made up his mind.»
Claire smiled despite herself. «Thats James, all right.»
They finished the dishes to find James hauling a camp bed from the cupboard.
«Whats that for?» Claire frowned.
«Mum cant sleep on the sofaher backs bad. Needs a firm mattress. So Ill take the sofa, and shell have this.»
«And where do I sleep?» Claires temper flared. «The floor?»
«In our bed, obviously,» James looked baffled.
«So now were sleeping apart? Brilliant.»
«Claire, dont start»
Dorothy intervened. «Ill manage on the sofa. Really.»
«No, Mum,» James insisted. «Doctors orders. Youre on the camp bed, end of.»
Claire stormed off to the bedroom, slamming the door. Behind her, she heard Dorothy murmur, «Maybe I should go to your sisters…»
«Not to *that* drunk,» James snapped. «Youre staying. Claire will get over it.»
Alone, Claire cried quietly. Not over Dorothywhod turned out far kinder than expectedbut over James, steamrolling her yet again. Fifteen years, and her voice still didnt matter.
A knock. Dorothy entered with a steaming mug. «Peppermint tea. Calms the nerves.»
«Thanks,» Claire took it, sheepish.
Dorothy sat beside her. «James has always been like thisthinks he knows best. Drove me mad when he was a lad.»
«What did you do?»
«Talked. Shouting just makes him dig in. But if you explain why his plan wont work…»
«I tried,» Claire sighed. «He doesnt hear me.»
«Not now, he wont. Hes too busy defending me. Wait till tomorrow. And listenif youd rather, Ill sleep on the floor tonight. You and James take the lounge.»
«Dont be silly,» Claire softened. «I just need time to adjust.»
Dorothy smiled. «Ill keep out of your hair. And Im handygood cook, decent with a sewing machine. Well make it work.»
Claire felt the tension ease. Dorothy wasnt the domineering mother-in-law shed fearedjust a woman whod lost everything.
«Welcome to the family,» Claire said suddenly, offering her hand. «Properly.»
Dorothy squeezed it, eyes damp. «Thank you, love. You wont regret it.»
And strangely, Claire believed her.
**Lesson Learned:**
Sometimes, the problem isnt the change itselfits being left out of the decision. But kindness and patience can turn even the rockiest starts into something unexpectedly good.
