Emily lined up three yoghurt potsstrawberry, peach, and blackcurrant. In that exact order. Rules were rules. The little tubs stood shoulder to shoulder, prim and proper.
The jangle of keys in the lock shattered the quiet. Timothy had come home early from work.
«Em, you there?» He poked his head into the kitchen and made straight for the fridge.
«No, I’m a ghost,» Emily muttered, sorting lentils without turning around.
«What’s got your knickers in a twist?» Tim grabbed the blackcurrant yoghurtthe last in the rowand plonked himself at the table.
«Wheres the mortgage paperwork? I left it right here.»
«Oh, that,» Timothy hesitated. «In the study. I was sorting a few things.»
Emilys frown deepened. Something in his voice was off. She marched to the study. The desk drawer wasnt quite shut. She yanked it open and froze. Beneath the folder labelled «Mortgage» lay a stamped document. She pulled it out.
A certificate of residence. Margaret Elizabeth Whitmore. Registered at the address their address. Dated three weeks prior.
«Tim!» Emily stormed back, waving the paper like a flag. «What in blazes is this?»
Timothy nearly choked on his yoghurt.
«Em, let me explain»
«Explain? You registered your mum in our flat without asking me?»
«Shes getting on, she needs security»
«What security?» Emily smacked the table. «We bought this place together! Did you consult me? No!»
«Mums worried about her future»
«And Im not? She gets a say, but your wife doesnt?»
Timothy stayed silent. Emily stared, boiling inside. Twenty-five years together! Shed pinched every penny for this flat. Twenty-five years! And now thisbehind her back.
«How long have you been plotting this?»
«Em, its just paperwork.»
«Paperwork?» Her voice trembled. «Adding someone to our home is just paperwork?»
«It puts her mind at ease. Shes afraid of ending up alone, with no roof»
«And I should be afraid of a third owner in our flat?»
Emily crumpled the document. Timothy looked at his shoes.
«Does Margaret know Ive found out?»
«Not yet.»
«Brilliant!» Emily flung the paper onto the table. «Just brilliant, Tim.»
He reached for her.
«Em, dont be cross. Mum meant no harm.»
Emily stepped back.
«Its not about her! Its you! You lied to me for three weeks!»
«I didnt lie»
«Then what do you call it?» Emily threw up her hands. «A white lie? A little omission? Im gobsmacked, Tim!»
She left, slamming the bedroom door. Her heart hammered. Never in twenty-five years had she felt so betrayed. The phone rang. «Margaret Whitmore.» Of course.
«Hello, love! How are you?» Her mother-in-laws voice dripped syrup.
«Fine,» Emily said flatly.
«Ive news! Ill pop round tomorrow. Need to bring my bits, clear some wardrobe space, alright?»
Emily nearly dropped the phone.
«Wardrobe space?»
«Well, naturally,» Margaret said, smugness creeping in. «Its my right now. Didnt Timmy tell you? Im on the lease.»
«I know.»
«Splendid! Expect me tomorrow. And do make that leek soupI adore yours.»
Emily hung up. So that was the game. Not just paperworkshe meant to move in! Over my dead body.
The next morning, Emily took the day off and went to the council offices. There, she was told: without both owners consent, the registration was void.
«I need a solicitor,» she said firmly.
An hour later, Emily sat in Mr. Pembrokes office, spreading out the deeds.
«Registration without your agreement is unlawful,» the solicitor confirmed. «Ill draft the appeal. Should take a week.»
«Do it,» Emily nodded.
That evening, she cooked dinner calmly. Timothy hovered, guilt written on his face.
«Em, still cross?»
«No,» she smiled. «Alls well.»
«Really?» Timothy brightened.
«Absolutely. Sorted everything.»
Timothy froze.
«Sorted what?»
«Youll see,» Emily shrugged. «Dinners ready.»
On Saturday, she invited Margaret for supper. The older woman arrived with a bulging suitcase.
«Brought my things,» she announced. «And my own bedsheets. Cant abide strange linen.»
«How thoughtful,» Emily smiled.
Over roast beef, Margaret held court:
«Now well be one big family! Ive picked my roomthat little study of yours.»
«Mum, we never agreed to that,» Timothy said weakly.
«Whats to agree? Im on the leaseits my right!»
Emily stood, retrieving a folder from her bag.
«Margaret, this voids your registration. As of Monday, youre no longer on the lease.»
«What?!» Margaret turned puce. «Timothy, explain this!»
«Em, what have you done?» Timothy gaped at his wife, then his mother.
«Justice,» Emily said coolly. «Without my consent, its illegal. I never gave it.»
«How dare you?!» Margaret banged the table. «Timothy, speak to her!»
Timothy stayed silent, staring at his plate.
«Take your things, Margaret,» Emily pointed at the suitcase. «The moves off.»
«Timothy!» Margaret shot up. «Youll let her treat me this way? Im your mother!»
Timothy kept his head down. Emily met his gaze steadily.
«Mum, Emilys right. I shouldve discussed it.»
«Discuss? With your wife? About your own mother?» Margaret clutched her pearls. «My nerves! My tablets! Where are my tablets?»
She fumbled in her handbag. Timothy leapt up.
«Mum, calm down. Ill fetch water.»
«No water!» Margaret snapped. «Take my things and drive me home! I shant stay another minute!»
Emily folded her arms.
«Lovely idea.»
When the door shut behind them, Emily sank into the armchair, trembling but triumphant. Shed done it. No one would steal her home.
Timothy returned hours later, creeping in like a scolded dog.
«Em»
«Hows Margaret?» Emily cut in. «Calmer?»
«Hardly. Says Ive betrayed her.»
«And you?»
«I» Timothy rubbed his temples. «Shes my mum. Shes ageing.»
«So you sneak her onto the lease?» Emily shook her head. «What hurt most wasnt the deedit was the lie.»
Timothy sat beside her.
«I feared youd say no.»
«Of course Id say no! So lying was better?»
«I didnt mean to lie. I just didnt know how to tell you.»
«And now you do?»
He sighed.
«Now Ive made a proper mess.»
Silence. Then Emily asked softly:
«Why didnt you tell her I cancelled it?»
«Didnt you?»
«No, Tim. The law did. Because its illegal without me. You broke the law, not me.»
Timothy exhaled.
«Mum says shell die alone. That no one cares.»
«So shed move in here?»
«I never thought shed actually come!»
«Really?» Emily raised a brow. «Then why the lease?»
«For later,» he faltered. «If something happens to me.»
«Tim,» Emily took his hand. «She was testing us. First the lease, then her bags. Next, shed run the place. Ill help herbut live with her? Never.»
Timothy finally nodded.
«Youre right. I bungled it. Im sorry.»
«I can forgive a bungle. Not a lie.»
«So what now?»
Emily stood.
«New rules. One: no secrets. Two: Margaret stays in her bungalow. We help, we visitbut she lives apart. Three: big decisionstogether.»
«And if I refuse?»
«Then choose: me, or your mum in this flat.»
He looked up.
«Em, is that an ultimatum?»
«Im drawing a line, Tim. Twenty-five years, and you pull this stunt. How can I trust you?»
Timothys phone rang. «Mum.»
«Not answering?» Emily asked.
Timothy stared at the screen, then declined the call.
«Ill ring her later. First, we settle this.»
Emily nodded.
«Good. Were family. No secrets.»
The next day, Timothy visited Margaret. He returned red-eyed.
«Rough?» Emily asked, pouring tea.
«Like a bulldog chewing a wasp,» Timothy sighed. «She wept. Said Id stabbed her in the back. That shed slaved for me And I» He waved a hand.
«And you?»
«I told the truth. That you and I are husband and wife. That this is our home. And that I was wrong to deceive you.»
Emily set his tea down.
«How is she?»
«Furious. Says Im henpecked. That I chose you over her.»
«Did you choose?»
Timothy met her gaze.
«I chose fairness, Em. Twenty-five years together. Half each. I was wrong.»
Emily smiled.
«I feared youd say otherwise.»
«Like what?»
«I chose you, not Mum. Thatd be wrong. Theres no choosingjust boundaries.»
Timothy nodded.
«Thats what I told her. But she thinks youve poisoned me.»
«Shell come round,» Emily shrugged. «What matters is you understand.»
A tense week passed. Margaret didnt call. Timothy fretted but held firm.
On Saturday morning, the doorbell rang. There stood Margaret with a Victoria sponge.
«Hello,» she said stiffly. «May I come in?»
Emily stepped aside.
«Of course. Timothys here.»
Margaret bustled to the kitchen. Timothy jumped up.
«Mum? Whats wrong?»
«Nothing,» she set the cake down. «Ive been thinking and» She hesitated. «I was wrong.»
Emily and Timothy exchanged glances.
«Sit down, Mum,» Timothy pulled out a chair.
Margaret sat, smoothing her skirt.
«I overstepped. Youre right, Timothy. You and Emily built this life. This is your home. And I I panicked about ageing. Being alone.»
«Mum, were here,» Timothy took her hand.
«I know,» she sighed. «But sometimes I feel like a burden.»
«Dont be daft, Margaret,» Emily said. «No one thinks that. But everyone needs space.»
«Youre right, dear,» Margaret smiled faintly. «Im too used to ruling the roost. Raised Timothy alone, made all the choices. Now» She spread her hands. «Now I must learn to step back.»
Over cake, Margaret mentioned her neighbour who helped with chores.
Emily suddenly said:
«Timothy and I want to refurbish your bungalow. New carpets, a proper shower.»
«Why?» Margaret tensed.
«So youre comfortable. So youll never think of leaving.»
Margaret blinked.
«But I cant afford»
«Well manage,» Timothy said. «Emilys right. Well fix it up. Visit more.»
When Margaret left, Emily hugged Timothy.
«Well done. You stood firm.»
«We did,» he corrected. «Ive learnt something these past days.»
«Go on.»
«You cant make someone happy by making someone else miserable. I meant well for Mumbut went about it all wrong.»
«And I learnt to fight for whats mine,» Emily said. «Even when it hurts.»
A month later, Margarets bungalow gleamed with fresh paint and new fittings. She softened, visiting for teanever overstaying.
One evening, Emily found the original lease document.
«Look,» she showed Timothy. «Where it all began.»
He took it and tore it in half.
«And where it ends. No more secrets.»
Emily smiled.
«None. And no one takes our home.»
«Funny, isnt it?» Timothy mused. «Mums happier now. Less fearful.»
«Because she knows were closebut not too close.»
They curled up on the sofa, listening to the rain. Their home remained theirs. And in it, they made the rulestogether. As it should be.
