The husband moved his mother in without asking
«Margaret, take these cabbage pastiesthey’re still warm. I baked them this morning,» the elderly woman in a flowery apron held out a plate covered with a tea towel. «And a jar of strawberry jam, fresh, only made yesterday.»
«Thank you, Evelyn, you spoil me,» Margaret accepted the treats with a grateful smile. «Stay for tea, wont you? Youre always in such a rushwe hardly see each other.»
«Id love to,» Evelyn nodded, stepping into the kitchen. «Especially since theres news. Have you heard about what happened with Dorothys son and his wife?»
Margaret sighed, reaching for the teacups:
«Who hasnt? The whole building knows. They were shouting loud enough to shake the walls. What was it about?»
«Apparently, he went and fetched his mother from the countryside. Without warning. And theyve only got a one-bedderyou know how it is,» Evelyn shook her head, settling at the table. «Poor Sophie, the wife, was furious.»
Margaret put the kettle on and sat opposite her neighbour:
«Not Robert, the reckless one? He didnt even tell his wife?»
«Probably afraid shed say no. But where else was the old dear to go? The cottage burned down. So he brought her back, just dropped it on his wife like that,» Evelyn lowered her voice. «I ran into Lucy from the third floor yesterdayshe says Sophies packing. Leaving him.»
«You dont say!» Margaret gasped. «Breaking up a family over his mother?»
Evelyn shrugged:
«Who knows if its true or just gossip, but theres no smoke without fire…»
That same evening, in a flat on the outskirts of London, a woman in her forties paced the kitchen, clutching her phone. Charlotte was visibly distressedher fingers tapped the counter, her brow furrowed, her dark hair streaked with silver pushed impatiently behind her ear.
«Emma, I dont know what to do,» she hissed into the phone. «He didnt even ask! Just dropped it on me. Can you believe it? I come home from work, and theres Beatrice sitting with her suitcases like she owns the place!»
Her friend said something on the other end, but Charlotte cut her off:
«I get itshes got nowhere else to go. I understand that! But why couldnt he discuss it with me first? Were married, for Gods sake. You dont make decisions like this alone!»
The door opened, and in walked Williama tall man with tired eyes and a receding hairline. Charlotte fell silent, shooting him a sharp look.
«Emma, Ill call you back,» she said curtly and hung up.
An awkward silence settled. William opened the fridge, poured himself a glass of water, avoiding her gaze.
«Wheres Beatrice?» Charlotte broke the quiet.
«Resting in the lounge,» he muttered. «Shes tired from the journey.»
«In the lounge,» Charlotte echoed flatly. «On our sofa.»
«Where else is she supposed to go?» Williams voice turned defensive. «We dont have a spare room.»
«Thats exactly the point, Will,» Charlotte kept her tone steady. «We dont have space. Sixty square metres for three people is already cramped. And you moved your mother in without even consulting me!»
«What was I supposed to do?» William slammed his glass down, water sloshing. «Her house burned down! Did you want me to leave her on the street?»
«I wanted you to talk to me first!» Charlottes voice rose before she checked herself, remembering Beatrice in the next room. «We couldve discussed options. Maybe rent her a room. Or she could stay with your sisterOlivia has a three-bedder, more space.»
«Olivias in Manchester, you know that,» William rubbed his temples. «And renting costs money. Were barely making ends meet as it is.»
Charlotte shook her head:
«Its not about money, Will. Its about you deciding for both of us. You didnt even call to warn me! I come home, andsurprise!your mothers moved in.»
«I tried calling,» he muttered. «You didnt pick up.»
«I was in a meeting!» Charlotte threw her hands up. «Couldnt you wait a few hours? Did you have to drop it on me like a bomb?»
William stared into his glass, silent.
«Fine,» Charlotte took a deep breath. «Whats done is done. But lets at least talk about how long this lasts. Does your mum have insurance? Is she rebuilding?»
«The place was condemned,» William shook his head. «It was barely standingGrannys old place. No insurancewho insures cottages out there? So… this is long-term, Lottie. Maybe permanent.»
«Permanent?» Charlottes legs gave way; she sank onto a chair. «Will, are you mad? Three of us in this flat wont work!»
«Where else can she go?» William repeated stubbornly. «Shes my mother. Im all shes got.»
«And me?» Charlotte said quietly. «What am I? Im your wife. And youre all Ive got too.»
Just then, Beatrice appeared in the doorwaya short, plump woman with silver hair pinned up. She wore a floral dress and a knitted cardigan despite the warm weather.
«Forgive me for interrupting,» she said hesitantly. «But I couldnt help hearing. The walls are thin.»
Charlotte and William fell silent. Beatrice shifted uncomfortably.
«Charlotte, dear,» she continued. «I know Ive landed on you like a ton of bricks. If Im in the way, I can go. Maybe theres space in a care home.»
«Mum, stop,» William stood and put an arm around her. «Youre not going anywhere. This is your home now.»
Charlotte felt a surge of resentment. «Your home now»said without consulting her, the woman who paid half the mortgage. But aloud, she only said:
«Beatrice, its not that youre in the way. Its… this shouldve been a joint decision. Will and I are a family. We make big choices together. But hes gone and decided alone.»
«I understand, love,» Beatrice nodded. «Youre young, you need your space. And here I am, an old woman underfoot.»
«Mum!» William exclaimed. «Stop it! No ones saying that. Charlottes rightI shouldve talked to her first.»
Beatrice sighed and sat heavily at the table:
«Son, dont defend me. I can see Im ill-timed. Charlottes come home tired, and here I am with my troubles.»
Charlotte realised Beatrice was saying what William should have. Against her will, she felt warmth toward the older woman.
«Beatrice,» she said more gently. «Lets talk properly. Its a difficult situation, but not hopeless. When did the fire happen?»
«Three days ago,» Beatrice replied. «Id gone to help a neighbour bakefaulty wiring, they reckon. By the time I got back, it was too late. Thank God the volunteer fire brigade saved my photos and documents. But the rest… forty years in that house, and now…»
Her voice cracked. She dabbed her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief. Guilt pricked Charlottehow could she be so selfish? This woman had lost everything.
«Im so sorry,» Charlotte said sincerely, covering Beatrices hand with hers. «Thats awful. Of course you can stay as long as needed. We just… need to figure out how to manage.»
Beatrice gave her a grateful look:
«Thank you, love. Ill keep out of your way. And help where I cancooking, cleaning. Im still spry, thank the Lord.»
«Good,» William visibly relaxed. «Lets eat. I picked up a roast chicken and salads on the way.»
Dinner was strained. Beatrice spoke of village life, her neighbours, her gardennow gone. William listened intently while Charlotte picked at her food, dreading how their lives would change.
Afterwards, Charlotte washed up as William unfolded the sofa bed.
«Let me help,» Beatrice appeared with a tea towel.
«Thanks,» Charlotte passed her a plate. «Beatrice, Im sorry for how I reacted. That wasnt fair.»
«Dont be silly, love,» Beatrice shook her head. «Im the one who should apologise, turning up unannounced. But William said you wouldnt mind. I believed him.»
«Its not you,» Charlotte admitted. «Its how he handled it. Fifteen years together, and suddenly hes making unilateral decisions.»
«Hes always been like this,» Beatrice sighed. «Thinks he knows best. Just like his father.»
Charlotte smiled faintly:
«Thats the truth. Stubborn as a mule.»
They finished the dishes to find William hauling out a camp bed.
«Whats that for?» Charlotte frowned.
«Mum cant sleep on the sofa,» he explained. «Bad backneeds a firm surface. So Ill take the sofa, she gets the camp bed.»
«And where do I sleep?» Irritation flared again. «The floor?»
«In our bed, obviously,» William looked puzzled. «Where else?»
«So now were sleeping apart?» Charlotte crossed her arms. «Brilliant. Just perfect.»
«Charlotte, not this again,» William sighed. «You see Mum needs the camp bed. We cant both fit on it. Someone has to sleep separatelywhats the big deal?»
«The big deal,» Charlotte said tightly, «is that we didnt discuss it. Again. Youre just dictating terms.»
«Children, dont fight,» Beatrice cut in. «Ill take the sofa, I dont mind.»
«No, Mum,» William said firmly. «Doctors ordersfirm surface. Youre on the camp bed, end of.»
«See?» Charlotte looked at Beatrice. «End of. Thats his answer to everything.»
She marched to the bedroom and slammed the door. William and Beatrice stood awkwardly in the lounge.
«Son, maybe I should go to Mabels,» Beatrice whispered. «She offered when the house burned.»
«Over my dead body!» William scowled. «That drunk? Youre staying here. Charlotte will come round.»
In the bedroom, Charlotte sat on the bed, tears falling. She wasnt crying over Beatricethe woman was kinder than expected. She cried for her husband, who dismissed her feelings. Who acted like her voice didnt matter. After fifteen years!
Her phone buzzeda text from Emma: «Howd it go? Calmer now?» Charlotte didnt reply. What could she say? That her husband was still acting like a tyrant? That hed moved into another room?
A soft knock came at the door. She wiped her eyes:
«Come in.»
Beatrice entered with a mug:
«Brought you tea. Peppermintcalms the nerves.»
«Thanks,» Charlotte took it, embarrassed. «Sorry about earlier…»
«Dont be,» Beatrice sat beside her. «I understand. Williams always been sure he knows best. Drove me mad when he was a boy.»
Charlotte smiled slightly, picturing a stubborn teenage William arguing with his mum.
«What did you do?» she asked.
«Talked,» Beatrice said simply. «Shoutings pointlesshe digs in harder. But if you explain calmly why his idea wont work…»
«I tried,» Charlotte sighed. «He doesnt listen.»
«Not now,» Beatrice shook her head. «Hes wound up, protecting me. Wait till tomorrow. And lookif you want, Ill sleep on the floor here. You and William take the lounge.»
«Dont be silly,» Charlotte said. «Not with your back. I just… need to adjust to three of us.»
«Ill keep out of your way,» Beatrice promised. «And help where I can. Im a good cook, you know. And I sewcould make new curtains, cushion covers. Brighten the place up.»
Charlotte felt her tension ease. Beatrice wasnt the domineering mother-in-law shed fearedjust a woman whod lost everything.
«Beatrice,» she said gently. «I know youve nowhere else. And I dont mind you staying. Truly. I just want us to make decisions together. For William to stop acting like hes the only one who gets a say.»
«Ill talk to him,» Beatrice promised, standing. «Now rest. Its been a long day.»
After she left, Charlotte sipped her tea, oddly at peace. Maybe it was the mint. Maybe it was knowing she had an ally against Williams stubbornness.
Morning brought the smell of frying bacon. Beatrice was at the stove, flipping pancakes.
«Morning, love,» she smiled. «Breakfasts ready. Williams left for worksaid hell be late.»
«Ran away, more like,» Charlotte snorted, but without malice.
«Gave us time to get acquainted,» Beatrice said wisely. «Smart man. Women talk better without men about.»
Over breakfast, they chatted easilyabout pancake recipes, the window-box geraniums, the weekend forecast. To her surprise, Charlotte enjoyed Beatrices company. They shared a love of mystery novels, a distaste for loud music.
«You know,» Beatrice said over tea, «I didnt agree straight away when William said I should come.»
«No?» Charlotte blinked. «He made it sound like he fetched you right after the fire.»
«He did,» Beatrice nodded. «But I refused at first. Said Id go to Mabels or rent a room. William wouldnt hear of itsaid I belonged with him. Just like when he was a boy.»
«So what changed your mind?»
«He said you wouldnt mind,» Beatrice said simply. «Called you kind, understanding. Said youd be happy to have me. So I believed him.»
Charlotte didnt know what to say. Beatrice wasnt lyingWilliam had deceived them both. The hurt cut deeper.
«We need to talk to William,» she said finally. «All three of us. Decide how this works.»
«Agreed,» Beatrice nodded. «But you know what? I think itll be fine. Well manage. And William… well, hell learn big decisions take two. Or three.»
Charlotte smiled. For the first time, she saw an upsidean ally against Williams bullheadedness. Maybe their home would even feel cosier with Beatrice there.
«Beatrice,» she said, reaching across the table. «Welcome to the family. Properly.»
Beatrice clasped her hand, eyes bright:
«Thank you, love. You wont regret it.»
And somehow, Charlotte knew she wouldnt.
