“If your mother sees me as the enemy, then she can live as she pleases. I won’t lift a finger for her again!”
Lily had always tried to keep her composure when it came to Margaret. Her mother-in-law visited their London flat two or three times a week, and each visit felt like an ordeal. The September days grew shorter, and Lilys patience wore thinner.
Margaret adored hosting. Shed arrive with bags of groceries, take over the kitchen, and cook enough for an armyalways inviting neighbours, acquaintances, and sometimes complete strangers.
“Now *this* is hospitality!” Margaret would declare, setting the table. “Not like some people who cant even brew a proper cup of tea.”
Lily clenched her jaw and kept slicing bread. Margaret never named names, but everyone knew who she meant.
At the table, Margaret became a storyteller. Her eyes lit up, her voice turned dramatic, and the performance began.
“My nephews wife is an absolute gem!” shed exclaim, waving her hands. “Emilys so talented! You should see her embroiderylike proper artwork! And she knits, sews, keeps the garden immaculate. Jams, pickles, you name it. A proper homemaker!”
The guests would nod approvingly while Lilys cheeks burned. Her husband, James, sat beside her, glued to his phone as if none of it mattered.
“And Sarahmy cousins wifeshes wonderful too,” Margaret continued. “So obedient, so agreeable. Never a cross word. Her mother-in-law feels utterly cherished. Helps with everything, asks advice on every little thing. *Thats* what I call proper upbringing!”
One of the neighbours turned to Lily. “What about you? What do you do?”
Lily opened her mouth, but Margaret cut in, voice dripping with mock sweetness.
“Oh, why bother asking! Our Lilys a modern woman. She works in an office, glued to a computer. No time for homemaking. Shes used to others doing things for her.”
“Im a manager at a retail firm,” Lily said tightly.
“Yes, a *manager*,” Margaret nodded sagely. “But who does everything at home? My poor James comes back from work and has to cook, cleanour Lilys spoiled rotten.”
Lilys jaw ached from clenching. James still hadnt looked up.
After another such dinner, with the guests gone and dishes washed, Margaret approached Lily with a saccharine smile.
“Lily, darling, could you take me to the clinic tomorrow? I need to collect some test results, and its a bit daunting alone.”
“Of course,” Lily said, though she had an important client meeting.
“Oh, youre a treasure! James is so busy at work, and youve got such a *flexible* schedule.”
Lily bit back the retort that her schedule wasnt flexible at all. Better not to argue.
The next week, Margaret was back with another request.
“Lily, could you pop to the chemist? The doctor prescribed new medication, and I dont understand these names. I might get the wrong thing.”
“Fine,” Lily muttered.
“And while youre out, could you grab some groceries? Oats, cleaning supplies. I cant carry heavy thingsmy back, you know.”
Lily spent half the day hunting down prescriptions, then queued at the supermarket. She returned exhausted.
“How was your day?” James asked, eyes on the telly.
“Fine,” she said flatly.
Days later, Margaret arrived with relatives in tow.
“This is my daughter-in-law, Lily,” she announced. “And this is my sister-in-law, Helen, and her daughter, Sophie.”
Sophie, Lilys age, carried herself like someone twice as wise.
“I hear you work in an office?” Sophie said, scanning the flat.
“Yes, in retail.”
“How *fascinating*!” Sophie gushed insincerely. “I stay home with the childrenthree of them, all so bright. The eldest plays violin.”
Margaret beamed. “Now *thats* a proper woman! Home, children, supporting her husband. Not gallivanting about offices.”
Lilys face burned, but she stayed silent.
Helen chimed in. “Sophies so capable! Cooks, sews, knits. I always tell herany man would be lucky to have you.”
“And I grow my own vegetables,” Sophie added modestly. “My husband says our home is paradise.”
Margaret turned to Lily. “Hear that, Lily? Maybe you could learn from Sophie. Then James might actually want to come home.”
Lily froze. Only she knew James had been staying out late. How did Margaret know?
“Does James often stay out?” Helen asked eagerly.
“He works a lot,” Lily said vaguely.
“Of course he does!” Margaret scoffed. “Any man would flee a home like this. Empty fridge, wife always working. No wonder he seeks comfort elsewhere.”
Sophie sighed. “Men need to *want* to stay. Cosy homes, home-cooked mealsmy husband wont even go on business trips!”
The conversation dragged on. Lily sat silently, fury simmering.
When the guests left, she snapped.
“James, did you hear what your mother said?”
“Whats the fuss? Just women chatting.”
“She humiliated me in front of everyone!”
“Dont be dramatic. She just gave examples of how others live.”
Lily stared. “So you agree Im a terrible wife?”
“I didnt say that. But maybe you *could* focus more on home.”
“Who cooks? Cleans? The house fairy?”
“We take turns”
“Turns? When did you last cook? Microwaving pizza doesnt count!”
James scowled. “No need to shout. Im being civil.”
“Im *tired*! Tired of your mothers jabs and you just sitting there!”
Margaret wasnt *criticising*, James insisted. Just offering advice.
Lily walked away. The conversation was pointless.
The next day, Margaret called againthis time for a special cream sold across town.
“Lily, darling, please! Its so hard for me to get there. You driveits no trouble!”
Lily checked the clock. She had a meeting in three hours.
“Margaret, maybe another day? Ive got”
“Oh, what could be so important? You can be a *little* late! I *need* this cream!”
Lily gave in. Traffic made her forty minutes late to the meeting. Her boss reprimanded her.
That evening, James dismissed it. “One late day wont kill you. Mum needed help. You couldnt say no?”
“What if Im *sacked* over this?”
“You wont be. And if you are, find another job.”
Lily was speechless.
A week later, another dinner. Another round of comparisons.
“My nephews wifehis mother-in-laws *so* happy! They holiday together, exchange gifts. She *listens* to advice. Like a real daughter!”
Margarets gaze landed on Lily.
“Some think marriage means ignoring in-laws. Living selfishly, never consulting anyone.”
“If youve got an issue, say it plainly,” Lily said.
Margaret gasped. “Im not speaking of anyone! Just observing how some treat their elders.”
Later, as Lily washed dishes, Margaret sidled up.
“Lily, are you *good* for anything?”
A plate slipped from Lilys hands and shattered.
“What did you say?”
“Oh, nothing,” Margaret said airily. “Just wondering if youve any useful skills beyond office work.”
Lilys hands shook as she picked up shards.
“If Im your enemy, then live as you please. I wont serve you anymore.”
Silence. Margaret blinked, stunned. James finally looked up.
“Lily, whats got into you? Mum didnt mean”
“Didnt *mean* to? Your mother just asked what Im *good for*! In front of guests! And you think thats harmless?”
Margaret recovered fast. “Lily, you misunderstood! Id never hurt you!”
“Really? Calling me spoiled and useless? Comparing me for *months*?”
“Im just used to help! At my age, its hard”
“Then ask your *perfect* daughters-in-law! Emily the homemaker or obedient Sarah! *They* can help!”
James stood. “Lily, calm down. Youre blowing this up.”
“Blowing it up? Your mothers belittled me for months, and you call it *nothing*?”
“She didnt *belittle* you. Older people have habits”
“*Habits*? Using me as free labour? Insulting me publicly?”
Margaret wailed. “What did I *do*? Asked for errandsis that abuse?”
“Then told everyone Im a failure! Im *done*! No more help, *ever*!”
James pleaded. “
