Youll have no mother left! the motherinlaw shouted, her voice cracking like a whip.
Forget that you ever had a mother. After youre married youll leave me alone, pretend I never existed, and you wont even get a penny for the wedding. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont foot any of the bills for this farce.
Maggie Hargreaves felt an unexpected lightness when her little son, Harry, clutched her knee and whispered, Mum, youre the best in the world. Ill do everything to keep that smile on your face. Harry had no idea how those simple words turned his mothers heart inside out. She swore she had given birth to a miracle, an angelic lad with golden curls, blue eyes and aristocratic features. As he grew, Maggie used his image as a yardstick for any prospective daughterinlaw: noble lineage, graceful bearing, a slender figure, a university degree and flawless manners; a respectable job in a reputable firm, preferably a senior post, and a circle of influence.
The flat belongs to my boy, she would say, so we need a proper lady to keep it immaculate and to welcome guests at any hour, even three in the morning, because thats a wifes duty.
Time went on and Maggies demands only hardened.
No woman past twentyfive, else shell bear a frail child. And we must be certain any child is Harrys.
Maggie, have a bit of sense, his relatives would warn. In todays world there are no girls who meet all those criteria. If you want Harry to marry and have children, ease up, or hell stay a bachelor forever.
Harry graduated top of his class at school and university, landed a wellpaid post in a City firm, yet his personal life was a wreck. The moment he introduced a girl to his mother, Maggie would find a thousand reasons to drive the prospect away.
At each meeting shed order, Harry, go to the kitchen and slice some fruit while we chat.
The first young woman Harry was urged to meet was Emily Turner, a girl from a modest familyher mother a clerk, her father a boilerroom operator, with two younger brothers. Emily worked as a pharmacy assistant, which made Maggie uneasy.
Does she have constant access to medicines? Could she poison my sonor me? Maggie thought. And her family are labourers; we need no such lot.
Emily, you understand you cant marry Harry, Maggie whispered when they were alone. Youre too different. He grew up in a world you cant imagine. Better find someone more ordinary.
Emily left without a word, not even saying goodbye to Harry. When he pressed for an explanation, she replied coldly, Ask your mothershe raised you in special conditions. She says youre too good for me, so Ill look for someone simpler.
Mother, why did you turn Emily away? I like her, truly. What did you tell her? Harry asked.
My son, youve forgotten something, Maggie said slowly. Im your mother, I know best who can make you happy. It isnt that Emily. Where did you even find such a creature? No respectable family would produce her.
Harry realised arguing with his mother was futile and walked away. He occasionally mentioned meeting new girls, but never brought them home. Maggie offered her help in finding a wife, but he politely declined.
This is for me and my wife, not for you, he said. Ill choose myself.
Will you bring home a charwoman with nothing but a mop and a rag in her head? Maggie muttered.
Shell scrub the floors till they shine, Harry retorted with a grin.
Dont speak to me like that! Maggie snapped. Harry withdrew to his room.
Eventually he moved out of Maggies flat, the one she had been renting out, and took his own place. His father, George Hargreaves, had been estranged since the divorce when Harry was six. After many years George finally agreed to meet.
Know why I left Maggie? George confessed. She never let me breathe. She controlled everythingwhere I went, what I said, even what you could learn. When I tried to spend time with you, she cursed saying I was no use without a degree. She used me like a beast of burden. I walked away, thought Id spare myself the torment, refused alimony and lost my parental rights.
Are you happy now? Harry asked, brows furrowed.
Whats the point of asking? George replied. I bought you a flat, handed you the keys. Did she tell you?
What? Harry said, disbelief flashing across his face.
I saved for ten years to give you a corner of the world. Do not stay with her, or youll have no life of your own. She cares for no one but herself.
Why didnt you speak to me before? Harry asked tentatively.
I feared youd get tangled up. Maggie threatened to ship you off to another town, and Id never see you again. So I watched from afar.
Georges words reshaped Harrys view of his mother. In his mind she was still the best, and he often mused about finding a woman who might reminded him of her. Maggie smiled condescendingly, certain he would never find such a match. A woman like her was one in a million, perhaps a billion.
After Emily, Harry met other women, but none pleased Maggie. At last he gave her an ultimatum.
Either stop meddling in my life, or Ill stop seeing you.
What ungrateful brat, Maggie snapped. Do you forget who bought you a home and funded your education? How dare you speak so?
Enough, Mum, Harry pleaded. I know who really paid for that flat. I spoke with Father; he told me everything.
You trust him? Maggie exploded. You trust a failure, not your own mother?
The failure is my father, Harry replied. Hes my father.
Maggies face turned pale. She stared at him with thin contempt and retreated to her room. The next morning she didnt appear for breakfast. Harry knocked, only to hear her shriek, Leave me alone and go back to that worthless father of yours!
Mum, why? Harry entered, finding her on the bed, hair disheveled, her dress rumpled, staring vacantly at the ceiling. It was a stark contrast to her usual immaculate appearance, perfume and all.
Harry, Ive realised something, she said slowly. Marry whomever you likewhether a man from the islands with a penguinrhino mix or anyone else. Just forget you ever had a mother. After the wedding youll leave me alone, and I wont give you a single penny for the ceremony. If I didnt pick your bride, I wont pay a farthing for the whole charade.
I understand, Mum, Harry said with a wry bow, and closed the door behind him. That very day he moved into his own flat.
Six months later he invited his mother to a restaurant to announce his upcoming nuptials.
And who is she? Maggie asked, indifferent.
Youll never like her, whatever she is, Harry replied coldly. Just so you know, my future wife is called Lydia. Shes twentysix, from a long line of doctorsvery respectable.
Lordabove, and youre so sure of her worth? Maggie rolled her eyes. Show me a picture.
Harry produced his phone; the image displayed a woman with an exotic look, her features hinting at fareastern ancestry.
Is that a future mother of my grandchildren? What a fright! Maggie muttered, shaking her head.
Its not a Gulchatai, its Lydia, Harry explained. Shes half Korean.
Even better, Maggie sneered. A mix of bulldog and rhinoceros, thats what it is.
Shell grow on you after the wedding, Harry smiled.
Maggies breath caught at his words.
After the wedding?! Youre finally marrying? Just to spite me?
Why would I do it for spite? For my own joy, Harry grinned, calling the waitress over to place the order.
Maggie sat in shock, trying to picture grandchildren from such a unionan impossible sight.
On the wedding day Harry pulled his mother aside, voice firm. No drama, please. If Lydia ever leaves because of you, I wont forgive you, understand?
Maggie had to keep her mouth shut, lower than the garden hedges. She watched as the radiant Lydia, beaming with genuine happiness, and her son exchanged vows, received congratulations, joined in games, and danced arminarm.
The next morning the newlyweds brought a tray of sweets for Maggie, but she barred them at the doorway.
So, my boy, she said, Ive done everything you asked. Now listen to me. Never bring that halfbreed into my sight again. Do you realise what youre doing? You could have a thousand wives, but a mother is only one.
The couple left, and Maggie tossed the sweets into the rubbish bin.
I wont take anything from this halfblood, she declared.
Soon after, Maggie fell ill often, and Lydia cared for her, arranging nurses for day and night. Maggie could not accept the daughterinlaw who had earned her hatred for daring to be compared to her.
You said youd find someone who looks like me. Wheres the resemblance? Maggie complained, forced to swallow her pride while relying on Lydias help.
When the phone rang, Maggie answered in a singsong tone, Hello, love. How are you? My blood pressures a bit jumpy. Could you pop round and have a look? Splendid, see you soon
