**Diary Entry**
«Mrs. Thompson, do take these cheese sconesthey’re still warm. I baked them this morning,» said the elderly woman in a floral apron, holding out a plate covered with a tea towel. «And a jar of strawberry jam, freshly made yesterday.»
«Thank you, Mrs. Whitaker, you spoil me,» replied Mrs. Thompson, accepting the treats with a grateful smile. «Wont you stay for tea? You’re always in such a hurrywe hardly see each other.»
«Tea sounds lovely,» Mrs. Whitaker nodded, stepping into the kitchen. «Besides, Ive some news. Have you heard about Emily Davies son and his wife? Theyve had quite the row.»
Mrs. Thompson sighed as she reached for the teacups.
«Who hasnt? The whole building heard them shouting. What was it about?»
«Well, apparently, he brought his mother down from Yorkshire without a word. And theyve only got a one-bedroom flat, you see,» Mrs. Whitaker tutted, settling at the table. «His wife, Sophie, was furious.»
Mrs. Thompson put the kettle on and sat opposite her neighbour.
«That would be James, the reckless one? Didnt he even warn his wife?»
«Too afraid shed say no, I reckon. His mums cottage burned downnowhere else for her to go. So he just turned up with her in tow,» Mrs. Whitaker lowered her voice. «I ran into Lily from the third floor yesterday. She says Sophies packing her things. Leaving him.»
«You dont say!» Mrs. Thompson gasped. «Breaking up a family over his mother?»
Mrs. Whitaker shrugged. «Who knows if its true, but theres no smoke without fire…»
That same evening, on the outskirts of London, a woman in her forties paced the kitchen, clutching her phone. Margaret Wilson was clearly agitatedher fingers tapped the countertop, her dark hair streaked with grey was tucked impatiently behind her ear.
«Sarah, I dont know what to do,» she said into the phone. «He didnt even ask! Just sprung it on me. Can you imagine? I come home from work, and theres Margarethis mothersitting with her suitcases like she owns the place!»
Her friend said something on the other end, but Margaret cut her off.
«I know shes got nowhere else to go. I understand that! But why couldnt he discuss it with me first? Were husband and wife, for heavens sake. These things arent decided unilaterally!»
Just then, the door opened, and in walked Davida tall man with a tired face and thinning hair. Margaret fell silent, shooting him a tense look.
«Sarah, Ill call you back,» she muttered before hanging up.
An awkward silence settled. David opened the fridge, poured himself a glass of water, avoiding her gaze.
«Wheres your mother?» Margaret finally asked.
«Resting in the lounge,» he replied. «Shes exhausted from the journey.»
«In the lounge,» Margaret echoed. «On our sofa.»
«Where else is she supposed to go?» Davids tone turned defensive. «We dont have a spare room.»
«Thats exactly it, David,» Margaret said, forcing calm. «We dont have space. Sixty square metres for three is already cramped. And you move your mother in without even consulting me!»
«What was I supposed to do?» David slammed his glass down, water sloshing over the rim. «Her house burned down! Did you expect me to leave her on the street?»
«I expected you to talk to me first!» Margaret raised her voice, then checked herself, remembering her mother-in-law in the next room. «We couldve discussed options. Maybe rent her a room. Or she could stay with your sisterOlivias got a bigger place.»
«Olivia lives in Manchester,» David rubbed his temples. «And renting costs money. Were barely making ends meet as it is.»
Margaret shook her head. «Its not about money, David. Its about you making decisions 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!» Margaret threw her hands up. «Couldnt you wait a few hours? Did you have to ambush me?»
David stayed silent, staring into his glass as if it held answers.
«Fine,» Margaret sighed, trying to steady herself. «Whats done is done. But at least lets discuss how long this will last. Does your mum have insurance? Will she rebuild?»
«The cottage was condemned anyway,» David shook his head. «Been falling apart for years. And no, she didnt have insurancewho bothers in the countryside? So this is long-term, Maggie. Maybe permanent.»
«Permanent?» Margarets legs weakened, and she sank into a chair. «David, are you mad? Three of us in this flat wont work!»
«Where else can she go?» he repeated stubbornly. «Shes my mother. Im all shes got.»
«And me?» Margaret asked quietly. «What am I? Im your wife. And youre all Ive got too.»
Just then, Margaret appeared in the doorwaya short, plump woman with silver hair in a bun, wearing an old-fashioned floral dress and cardigan despite the warm weather.
«Sorry to interrupt,» she said hesitantly. «But the walls are thin.»
Margaret and David fell silent. The older woman shifted awkwardly.
«Margaret, dear,» she continued. «I know Ive landed on you like a ton of bricks. If Im in the way, I can go. Maybe a care home…»
«Mum, stop,» David stood, putting an arm around her. «Youre not going anywhere. This is your home now.»
Margaret felt a stab of resentment. *Your home now*hed declared it without consulting her, the one who paid half the rent. But aloud, she only said:
«Margaret, its not that youre in the way. Its these decisions should be joint. David and I are a family. We make big choices together.»
«I understand, love,» the older woman nodded. «You young ones need your space. And here I am, an old woman underfoot.»
«Mum!» David protested. «No one said that. Margarets rightI shouldve talked to her first.»
His mother sighed and sat down.
«David, dont defend me. I can see Ive come at a bad time. Margarets tired from work, and here I am with my troubles.»
Margaret realised, with surprise, that her mother-in-law was saying what David should have. It warmed her toward the woman despite herself.
«Margaret,» she said softly. «Lets talk properly. Its a difficult situation, but not hopeless. When did your house burn down?»
«Three days ago,» the older woman replied. «I was helping a neighbour bake when the wiring shorted. By the time I got back» Her voice wavered. «Forty years there, and now its gone.»
Margaret felt a pang of guilt. This woman had lost everything, and shed been worried about her own comfort.
«Im so sorry,» she said sincerely, covering her mother-in-laws hand with hers. «Of course you can stay as long as needed. We just need to figure things out.»
The older woman gave a grateful smile. «Thank you, dear. Ill keep out of your way. And help where I cancooking, cleaning. Im still spry, thank goodness.»
«Good,» David relaxed visibly. «Now, lets eat. I picked up a roast chicken on the way.»
Dinner was strained. Davids mother spoke of village life, her garden, her neighboursall lost. David listened intently, while Margaret ate in silence, wondering how their lives would change.
Later, as she washed up, David unfolded the sofa bed in the lounge.
«Need help?» his mother asked, drying a plate.
«Thanks,» Margaret handed her another. «Margaret, Im sorry for earlier. It was unfair.»
«Dont be silly, dear,» the older woman smiled. «I shouldve known better. But David said you wouldnt mind. I believed him.»
Margaret paused. «He told you Id be fine with it?»
«Swore you were kind and understanding,» his mother said simply.
Margarets chest tightened. Hed lied to them both.
The next morning, the scent of pancakes drew her to the kitchen. Davids mother was bustling about, humming as she cooked.
«Sleep well, dear?» she asked cheerfully.
Margaret nodded, surprised to find she meant it. Perhaps this wouldnt be so bad after all.
«Margaret,» she said suddenly. «Welcome to our family. Properly.»
The older woman clasped her hand, eyes glistening. «Thank you, love. You wont regret it.»
And somehow, Margaret believed her.
