Ethel had begun arranging the purchase of a plot, even though that had never been part of her original plan.
What now, again? she asked, her eyes wide with surprise as she turned to her husband. We just visited your mothers house and helped her out. I dont want any more of this Lets at least spend the weekend in peace, just the two of us.
Her husbands gaze was steady, his resolve unmoved.
Ethel, you know Mother has been struggling lately. Fathers gone, and she cant manage everything on her own. Im the only son, so I must look after her.
Fine. Why is Mother coming to us this time?
I told her she needs new wallpaper a soft milkwhite and a few other little things for the house.
Cant she just order it herself?
She doesnt know how. Well all go together at the weekend, take a stroll through the DIY megastore, and get a breath of fresh air.
Strolling through a hardware warehouse for a pleasure, Ethel muttered, offended. Yet she did not want to ruin the weekend, so she ordered everything on the list, chose each item herself and paid for it in full.
All that was left for Mother was to receive the materials; there was no longer any need for her to come to their London flat. The delivery was due on Friday evening, so, as Ethel reasoned, no trouble should arise.
Her surprise was complete when, on Saturday morning, Mother arrived at the door with every parcel in tow.
You expected me to carry such a load? Why? she snapped at Geoffrey.
Mrs. Whitcombe, it was a surprise, Ethel, still in her nightgown, tried to explain from the hallway.
The motherinlaw measured Ethel with a disdainful look, then turned her stare to her son. Whats the silence? Got a lump in your throat? Tell your wife about our surprise.
What surprise? Ethel asked, realizing something was being hidden from her.
Im moving in with you for a few months, the satisfied mother declared, shedding her coat.
Ethel barely had time to register that shock before another revelation struck.
And youre coming to me.
Mother Whitcombe drifted into the kitchen while Ethel clutched Geoffreys hand and whispered, irritated, What news? Whats this about moving? I never agreed to it.
Sorry, I didnt get a chance to say. Mother suggested it. Dont worry, we wont go right away, Geoffrey shrugged as if nothing had happened and walked toward his mother.
Ethel retreated to the bedroom, unwilling to confront her motherinlaw openly.
As evening fell, the situation cleared for her. Geoffrey finally managed to explain.
Ethel, you have this chancethink it over. Well renovate the house any way you wish. Itll look great in your portfolio; all the clients will be yours!
Well live there while we work. Mother isnt old enough to be breathing construction dust, and well need to keep an eye on the workers.
Do I have to do that? Ethel asked, more bewildered than ever.
Exactly what you needwork. Mother and I are looking out for you.
The care of hauling me off to a village for months? I dont want that! I prefer the flat.
Were not moving now, first of all. You just ordered the wallpaper. Well do the refurb in one room, enough for Mother to feel at home.
How will she cope with the building dust?
Well open a window; she wont even notice. Shell just supervise.
And were not in a position to set her conditions. The flat belongs to her, while the house, on paper, is mine.
She owns it only because you never claimed your inheritance!
Why are you meddling in our family affairs? Weve already agreed on everything. Besides, Im the sole heir after Mother.
Dont worry, everything will end up with us anyway.
If the flat were in your name, Mother wouldnt have driven us out for months. Because of your naivety, we now have to live in the village!
Mrs. Whitcombe had been listening at the door. When Ethels temper flared, the bedroom door swung open sharply.
Youd be wiser to stay silent, the motherinlaw interjected, defending her son. You never had a heart when your own son chose you.
Chosen? Ethel repeated, puzzled by the sudden phrasing.
Of course, chosen. Without him Id be lost! And now youre eyeing the inheritance?
I think it would be proper. Youre shortchanging our son.
Seeking justice, the motherinlaw stared intently at Geoffrey. And why are you quiet? Do you agree with her?
Geoffrey said nothing, unwilling to take sides.
I do, Ethel persisted. It seems youve deprived our son of everything. What if you were to marry?
Me? the mother laughed. Marry? Mrs. Whitcombes face softened. Its pleasant that you dont think Im old. Fine, youll renovate the house and Ill transfer the flat to our son. Satisfied? The house will then be in my name.
Ethel felt a brief surge of triumph. Geoffrey looked a little downcast at having to argue with his mother, but he tried to hide it.
Still awkward in front of Mother, he muttered in the car.
The renovation of a single room was finished quickly, and within a week they were packing for the village.
She comes to us with all her heart, and we
just take whats ours. Once the work is done, the flat will be ours! Imagine that.
Ethel dreamed of owning a threebedroom flat, and soon her hopes were about to be realised.
The village house, however, greeted them gloomily. The colours were drab, and the amount of work required was enormous, as was the sum to be spent.
Nothing, well take a loan, Geoffrey reasoned. In the end well have the flat.
Ethel agreed and set to work. Though she fretted about living in a house without modern comforts, the vision of a better future kept her going.
The work progressed slowly but thoroughly. Ethel oversaw every stage, her control tightening. She soon found that she enjoyed the process and the house itself.
A proper country house must have a garden, perhaps a little plot for flowers, she said.
She moved on to securing the plot, even though it had never been part of the plan. Each evening she excitedly recounted the days achievements to Geoffrey.
Well plant roses; Ive already ordered them.
Ethel, thats beyond our budget. We cant afford it. Mother will move in and plant them herself.
Something inside Ethel stirred; she poured her heart into the project.
Geoffrey, what if we stay here? I like it. The house is already in your name, no need to reregister anything.
Dont you want the flat?
Whats the point? Its cramped, stifling. Here theres space!
Ill speak to Mother.
Ethel felt happy. She now tended both home and garden, content with the new lifeuntil her motherinlaw arrived.
Good morning, Mrs. Whitcombe. Why show up unannounced? Ethel greeted her, ready to show the renovations, though something about her husbands mother seemed displeased.
What do I have to announce when Im coming home? Youve delayed the work, so Ive come to see how things stand.
Home? Oh, Geoffrey hasnt told me yet; were staying.
Where? Im coming home, you know. If you dont like it, you can go back to the flat; it didnt suit me.
Mrs. Whitcombe, you misunderstand. Well remain in the house. It belongs to Geoffrey, and theres no need to reregister anything.
The moment she heard those words, the motherinlaw sat down, fuming.
You ungrateful wretch, youre taking my home away! I came to meet them, and you betray me?
I wont leave! Besides, Geoffrey is fully on my side. Dont turn this into a fight; pack your things.
Ethel was astonished. She had never imagined her motherinlaw would ever want to stay in the house. She had always praised the city life, boasting how lucky they were to be in civilisation while she lived far from society.
Geoffrey and Ethel sat together in silence for an hour and a half, each lost in thought. Both hoped Geoffrey would back her, for the house was his after all.
Geoffrey returned in a sour mood, seeing his mother and wife, and grew even more despondent.
Whats happened? they both asked, adding to his discomfort.
My firm has gone bust; I have no work left. It looks like you and I, Ethel, will have to stay here. At least the garden can help us save some money.
Mother looked at her son, silent. Inside, Ethel felt a quiet triumph. She hadnt needed to force Geoffreys hand; he had made the decision himself.
Still, doubts lingered for Ethel, for Geoffrey often followed his mothers wishes.
Mother, forgive us, but it will truly be easier for us here. Once we clear the loans, well be on our feet again.
Time was short, and village life was simpler: a garden, no pricey shops, only the necessities.
Mrs. Whitcombe agreed with her son, unable not to support him, especially in his current mood.
Mother said goodbye to her children and left. Geoffrey smiled broadly at Ethel.
Well, whats next for me?
In what sense?
I know Mother wanted to go back home, and I saw how much you enjoy this place.
So I thought of it, knowing she wont refuse.
He didnt want further quarrels over property.
Ethel embraced him and gave her thanks.
