We dont want you at the wedding, the children said to me.
Mum, honestly, why are you washing those plates again? Theyre already clean! Emily sighed, watching her mother scrubbing the same dish for the fourth time.
What if the guests notice smudges? Margaret squinted, holding a plate up to the light. Its a wedding. Everything has to be perfect.
Honestly, no ones going to inspect the plates! Theyll be too busy staring at the bride and groom. Youve been in the kitchen for three hours straight, Emily stepped closer to hug her, but Margaret shifted away.
Dont distract me, please. The salads arent ready, the cake still needs decorating. Theres no time.
Emily shook her head and left the kitchen. In the sitting room, her fiancé, Oliver, was waiting, nervously adjusting his tie.
Listen, is your mum really going to manage? Maybe we shouldve booked a restaurant, he whispered.
Too late now, all the guests are coming here. She insistedsaid restaurants dont have the same warmth. Emily took his hand. Bear with her, love. Shes trying.
Oliver nodded, though doubt flickered in his eyes. Margaret had spent three months preparingstudying recipes, shopping, planning every detail. At first, Emily had been touched by her enthusiasm, but lately, her mother had grown snappy, obsessing over trivialities.
Emily! Come taste the salad! Margaret called from the kitchen.
The bride sighed and stepped in. Her mother stood by the stove, spoon in hand.
Does it need more salt? Or is it fine as it is?
Mum, its perfect! Youve asked ten times already!
Well excuse me for caring! Margaret turned away sharply. I just want everything to be proper. So Olivers parents dont think were that we dont know how to
Emily rested her hands on her mothers shoulders.
Whats got into you? You know his parents are lovely, down-to-earth people. They wont care how much mayo youve used.
Wont they? Margaret spun around. Did you hear what his mother said yesterday? Oh, we always had smoked salmon at home. Smoked salmon! And here I am with egg mayonnaise
She didnt mean anything by it, Emily said gently. Just reminiscing.
Oh, please! Im not deaf. I hear the whispers. Margaret lives modestly, doesnt she? Should I be ashamed I raised you alone? That your father left when you were three?
Emily fell silent. Old wounds always flared when this topic arose.
No one judges you, Mum. Everyone knows you did brilliantly on your own.
Do they? Margaret gave a bitter laugh. Olivers parents have a three-storey house, a new car. And what do I have? A semi-detached and a homemade spread?
I dont care about their house! Im marrying Oliver, not his parents!
At that moment, Oliver himself walked in, drawn by the raised voices.
Ladies, everything alright?
Fine, just fine, Margaret said quickly, wiping her hands on her apron. Final menu adjustments. Nearly done.
Oliver glanced around. Platters of cold cuts and salads covered the table, hot dishes still simmering. The air was rich with the scent of roasting meat.
Margaret, this looks incredible. Honestly, my parents will be blown away.
Oh, stop she murmured, though her cheeks pinked.
I mean it! Restaurant food always feels plastic. This has heart.
For the first time that day, Margaret smiled.
Oliver, love, would you like tea? Or coffee? Ill brew a fresh pot.
Mum, guests arrive in an hour, Emily reminded her. You still need to get ready.
Goodness, youre right! Margaret gasped. My dress isnt pressed, my hairs a mess
Youve got time. Go showerIll finish up here, Emily said, taking the apron.
Dont touch the cake! Margaret called from the hall. Ill ice it myself!
Oliver wrapped an arm around Emilys waist.
Shes really wound up. How can we help?
She wont let us. Needs to control every detail. Terrified well do it wrong, Emily leaned into him. I get it, though. She wants to impress your parents.
Why? Were not marrying them.
Try telling her that. Shes spent her whole life proving shes enough.
Oliver frowned, then brightened.
Ill tell my parents to compliment her cooking. Say its better than any restaurant.
Would you?
Absolutely. Look how hard shes worked.
Emily kissed his cheek.
Thank you. Itll mean the world to her.
Half an hour later, Margaret emerged in a navy dress, hair neatly curled, lips painted.
Do I look alright? she asked uncertainly.
Stunning! Oliver declared. Right, Em?
Gorgeous, Mum, Emily hugged her. The perfect mother-of-the-bride.
Margaret fiddled with her dress, flustered.
Oh! The cake! I forgot the icing
Mum, guests are ringing the bell, Emily said, glancing out the window. Leave itits beautiful as is.
But the buttercream roses
Margaret, trust me, its magnificent, Oliver cut in. Go greet everyonewell set up.
Olivers parents arrived first. Eleanor, elegant in a tailored suit, surveyed the flat. Margaret braced herself.
How cosy! Eleanor said warmly. You can tell a home is loved.
Margaret relaxed. Please, make yourselves comfortable.
Guests trickled inEmilys friends, neighbours, a few relatives. The flat buzzed with laughter. Margaret darted between rooms, refilling drinks, replenishing platters.
Margaret, join us! Olivers father, Henry, beckoned. Youre the hostesswe barely see you!
Oh, I couldntso much to do
Nonsense! Sit. Henry patted the chair beside him. Lets get acquainted.
Margaret perched awkwardly.
Did you make this coronation chicken? Eleanor asked, taking a bite.
Yes, why? Is it
Divine! You must share the recipe.
Margaret flushed with pleasure. Oh, its nothing special. Just good seasoning, really
And the trifle! one of Emilys friends exclaimed. Mrs. Whitmore, this is art!
Quite right, Henry agreed. My wife mostly reheats ready meals. This is proper home cooking. You can taste the care.
Margaret bloomed under the praise, chatting about recipes, offering tips. The guests listened eagerly.
Shes transformed, Emily whispered to Oliver.
She just needed to feel valued, he replied. Look at her glow.
After toasts and well-wishes, the party spilled into chatter. Margaret finally relaxed, even sipping wine.
Eleanor took her aside.
Margaret youve raised an extraordinary daughter. Oliver adores herits clear she was brought up with love.
Margarets eyes glistened. Thank you. It wasnt easy, alone but I wanted her to want for nothing.
And she doesnt. Shes kind, capablethe sort of daughter-in-law every mother dreams of.
Margaret ducked her head. Oh, stop
And your cooking! Ive eaten so much, my dress might split.
Margaret laughed. Have more! I made extratry the roast beef
Late that night, after the last guest left, the three of them sat in the quiet. Margaret eased off her heels with a sigh.
Well? Did you enjoy yourself? Emily asked.
You know, love, Margaret mused, I worried for nothing. Olivers parentstheyre good people. Salt of the earth.
Told you!
Yes, yes. I let my silly fears run away with me. Thought theyd judge our modest ways. But they cherished the homeliness more than any five-star fuss.
Oliver kissed Margarets hand.
Thank you for a wonderful evening. Mums already stolen three of your recipes.
Margaret chuckled. Theyre just ordinary things.
Not when theyre made with love.
She stood, embracing them both.
Be happy, my dears. And if ever you need meIm here.
We know, Mum, Emily whispered, holding tight.
Margaret watched them, heart full. The fears had melted away. What mattered wasnt appearancesit was this. Family. Love.
Off to bed, she shooed them. Ill tidy up.
Mum, leave it till morning!
Cant. Not my way.
Emily and Oliver exchanged a grin. Some things would never changeand that was just fine.
Alone at the sink, Margaret smiled. All that dreadfor nothing. Happiness wasnt in grand gestures or wealth. It was in open hearts, in warmth. And tonight, shed given them that.
Tomorrow, Emily would be a wife. But their bond wouldnt fadeit would grow. Because now, Margaret wasnt just a mother. She was a mother-in-law.
And she intended to be the best one imaginable.
