She heard the doorbell ring, announcing that someone had arrived. Mary slipped off her apron, wiped her hands, and headed for the front door. Standing on the doorstep was her daughter, Emily, with a young man in tow. Mary let them into the flat.
Hi, Mum, Emily gave her cheek a quick kiss. This is Jack hell be staying with us.
Nice to meet you, the young man said, extending his hand.
This is my mother, Aunt Mary, Emily added.
Mrs. Margaret Hughes, Mary corrected her daughter.
Mum, whats for dinner? Emily asked.
Pea purée and sausages, Mary replied.
I dont eat pea purée, Jack said, shrugging as he walked into the hallway.
Emily widened her eyes. Mum, Jack doesnt eat peas.
Jack flopped onto the sofa, dropping his backpack on the floor.
This is actually my room, Mary said.
Come on, Jack, Ill show you where youll be sleeping, Emily called from the bedroom.
Im fine here, Jack grumbled, getting up from the sofa.
Darling, can you think of something to feed Jack? Mary asked.
Im not sure. We only have half a packet of sausages left, Mary shrugged.
Itll do with mustard, ketchup and some bread, Jack replied.
Alright then, Mary said, heading to the kitchen. I used to take in stray kittens and puppies, now Ive got a soninlaw to look after. Lets get him something to eat.
She scooped a portion of pea mash onto a plate, added two fried sausages, nudged a bowl of salad over, and began to eat with gusto.
Mum, why are you eating alone? Emily asked as she entered the kitchen.
Ive just got home from work and Im hungry, Mary said, chewing a sausage. If anyone wants more, they can help themselves or cook it themselves. By the way, why is Jack staying with us?
How come? Emily asked.
Hes my husband, Jack said.
Mary nearly choked on her tea.
Your husband? she asked.
Yes, thats right. Youre an adult now and you decide whether to marry or not. Im already nineteen.
You didnt even invite me to a wedding, Emily muttered.
There was no wedding. We just signed the papers and thats it. Now were husband and wife, so well be living together, Emily explained, glancing at her stilleating mother.
Congratulations then. Why no wedding? Mary asked.
If you have money for a wedding, you could give it to us and well find somewhere to spend it, Jack said.
Got it, Mary said, still eating. Why here, of all places?
The flat we have is onebedroom, and were four people living in it, Jack replied.
So you didnt consider renting elsewhere?
Why would we rent when I have my own room? Emily asked.
Understood, Mary said.
Will you give us anything to eat? Jack asked.
Emily, the pot of mash is on the stove, the sausages are in the pan. If thats not enough, theres another halfpacket in the fridge. Help yourselves, Mary said.
Mum, youve got a soninlaw now, Emily said, emphasizing the last word.
So what? Do I have to break into a dance for this occasion? Im exhausted after work, lets skip the rituals. Use your own hands and feet, Mary replied.
Thats why youre still single! Emily snapped, slamming her bedroom door shut. Mary finished her dinner, washed the dishes, cleared the table, and retired to her own room. She changed into workout clothes, grabbed her gym bag, and headed to the fitness centre. As a freespirited woman, she spent several evenings a week at the gym and the pool.
She got home just before ten oclock. Anticipating a hot cup of tea, she found the kitchen in chaos, clearly the work of someone whod tried to cook. The pot lid was missing, so the mash had dried and cracked. The sausage packet lay open on the counter, next to a stale loaf of bread without its wrapper. The frying pan was scorched, its nonstick coating ripped apart with a fork. Dirty dishes filled the sink, and a sticky sweet puddle lingered on the floor. The flat reeked of cigarettes.
Wow, this is new. Emily never let anything like this happen, Mary muttered.
She opened the bedroom door. The couple inside were drinking wine and smoking.
Emily, clean up the kitchen. Buy a new pan tomorrow, Mary said, stepping back into the hallway without closing the door.
Emily jumped up and rushed after her.
Why do we have to clean? Im a student, I dont work, I cant afford a new pan. Are you worried about the dishes? Mary asked.
Emily, you know the house rules: eat, then clean; if you make a mess, clean it; if you break something, replace it. Everyone looks after their own mess. And yes, the pan isnt cheap, but now its ruined, Mary explained.
You dont want us living here, Emily shouted.
No, Mary replied calmly.
She didnt want a fight with her daughter, and shed never seen Emily act like this before.
But this is my share, Emily protested.
No. The flat is mine, I bought it, I earned it. Youre only on the tenancy. Dont expect me to solve your problems. If you want to stay, follow the rules, Mary said evenly.
Ive lived my whole life by your rules. Im married now, and you cant tell me what to do, Emily wailed. Youre old, you should give us the flat.
Ill give you the hallway outside and a bench on the common stair. So you got married? No, you didnt ask me. Youll sleep here alone or with your husband elsewhere. He wont be living here, Mary replied firmly.
Fine, were leaving, Emily shouted, gathering her things.
Five minutes later, Jack barreled into the living room, a bit tipsy.
Alright, Mum, dont worry, everything will be fine. Emily and I arent going anywhere tonight. If you behave, we might even be quiet about our love life, he slurred.
What am I, your mother? Mary snapped. Your mum and dad are still here, so mind your own business and bring your new wife along.
Right now, Jack growled, raising his fist.
Mary clutched his wrist with manicured fingers, squeezing hard.
Let go, you madwoman, Jack snarled.
Mom, what are you doing? Emily yelled, trying to pull her mother away.
Mary shoved Emily aside, kicked Jack in the groin, and then elbowed him in the neck.
Im going to record this assault, Jack threatened. Ill sue you.
Wait, Ill call the police so they can document everything, Mary said.
The couple fled, leaving the tidy twobedroom flat behind.
Youre not my mother anymore, Emily shouted as she left. Youll never see your grandchildren.
What a pity, Mary said dryly. Ill have a little peace at last.
She looked at her handsone nail was broken. Just loss after loss, she muttered.
After they were gone, Mary scrubbed the kitchen, threw away the ruined mash and the charred pan, and changed the locks.
Three months later, Emily returned from work, looking gaunt, her cheeks hollow, and her eyes sad.
Mum, whats for dinner? she asked.
I havent decided yet, Mary replied, shrugging. What do you want?
Chicken and rice, Emily whispered, and a bit of salad.
Alright, well get the chicken, Mary said. Make the salad yourself.
Emily didnt ask any more questions, and Jack never appeared in their lives again.
Mary learned that a house is only a building; a home is built on respect, clear boundaries, and the willingness to let go of people who refuse to meet them. The lesson lingered: when you set firm rules and enforce them with kindness, you protect not just your space, but your peace of mind.
