Emily pulled her car to a stop just down the road from her mother-in-laws house. The clock read 5:45 PMshed arrived earlier than agreed. *Perhaps this time shell appreciate my punctuality*, she thought, smoothing the creases from her new dress. The giftan antique brooch shed spent months tracking down through collectorswas neatly wrapped on the back seat.
As she approached the house, Emily noticed the ground-floor window slightly ajar. Her mother-in-laws voice drifted out unmistakably:
No, Beatrice, can you believe it? She didnt even bother to ask what cake I like! Ordered some modern dessert instead Our James always adored a proper Victoria sponge, and she a pause, doesnt even understand. Seven years of marriage!
Emily froze. Her feet seemed rooted to the pavement.
Of course, Ive told you beforeshes not right for James. Works day and night at that clinic of hers, hardly ever home. What sort of homemaker is that? I popped round yesterdaydirty dishes, dust on the furniture And her, naturally, tied up with some complicated surgery!
Everything inside her stilled. Emily leaned against the garden fence, her knees trembling. For seven years, shed tried to be the perfect daughter-in-law: cooked, cleaned, remembered every birthday, visited when her mother-in-law was ill. And all for nothing
No, I havent said a word, but reallyis that the sort of woman my son should be with? He needs a proper family, warmth, care And shes always at conferences or on night shifts. Doesnt even think about children! Can you imagine?
Her head throbbed. Mechanically, she pulled out her phone and dialled her husband.
James? Ill be a bit late. Yes, everythings fine, just traffic.
She turned and walked back to the car. Sitting stiffly, she stared blankly ahead. The words shed just heard echoed in her skull: *Needs more salt, surely?*, *In my day, women stayed home*, *James works so hard, he needs extra attention*
Her phone buzzeda text from James: *Mums asking where you are. Everyones here.*
Emily took a deep breath. A strange smile curled her lips. *Good*, she thought. *If they want the perfect daughter-in-law, theyll get her.*
She started the engine and swung the car back toward the house. The plan formed in an instant.
No more trying to please. It was time to show them what a *real* daughter-in-law could be.
Emily swept into the house with the widest smile she could muster. Dearest Mummy! she trilled, embracing her mother-in-law with exaggerated fervour. Forgive my latenessI popped into three different shops to find those exact scented candles you adore!
Her mother-in-law stiffened, bewildered by the sudden burst of energy. I thought she began, but Emily pressed on:
Oh, and guess what? I ran into your friend Beatrice on the way! Such a *lovely* womanalways so *honest*, isnt she? Emily held her mother-in-laws gaze, watching the colour drain from her face.
All through dinner, Emily performed the role of a lifetime. She piled the choicest portions onto her mother-in-laws plate, gasped theatrically at every anecdote, and badgered her for homemaking advice.
Mummy darling, how long *do* you simmer beef stewfive hours or six? And the carpetsmorning or evening for vacuuming? Perhaps I should quit my job? James *does* need a proper family, after all.
James stared at her, baffled. Relatives exchanged glances. But Emily didnt stop.
Ive been thinkingmaybe I should take a domestic science course? Give up this silly surgeon business A woman *should* be the heart of the home, shouldnt she, Mummy?
Her mother-in-laws fork tapped nervously against her plate. Her confidence withered by the minute.
And what happened next? Well, some stories are best read to the end
