Get Out, You Ruined Everything!” Shouted the Daughter-in-Law as She Hurled Slippers Down the Hallway

**Diary Entry**

*8th June*

Get out, youve ruined everything! shouted Emily, hurling a pair of slippers into the hallway.

Margaret slowly picked up her old house shoes from the floor, hands trembling from the sting of humiliation. In all her sixty-eight years, no one had ever thrown her out of her own home. And now here was her daughter-in-lawsomeone shed welcomed as her ownshouting at her to leave.

Emily, love, whats happened? Margaret tried to soothe her. Talk to me properly, I dont understand.

You dont understand?! Emily threw her hands up. You seriously dont see what youve done?

Margaret stared, bewildered, at her furious daughter-in-law. Just this morning, everything had been fine. Shed woken early as usual, made breakfast for everyone. Her son, Robert, had left for work, the grandchildren had gone off to school. Emily had rushed out to her job at the bank, where she worked as a manager.

Gran, dont forget to pick Lily up from nursery at three, Emily had said, pulling on her coat. Ill be lateimportant clients coming in.

Of course, love, dont worry, Margaret had replied. I always fetch her.

And she hadfaithfully for the past six months, ever since shed moved in after her husband passed. The house was spacious enough: Robert and Emily had the master bedroom, their eldest, Oliver, had his own room, and little Lily slept on the pull-out in the lounge. Margaret had settled into the small box room, once a storage space.

Theyd lived well. Emily worked, Robert too, and Margaret kept the house runningcooking, cleaning, helping with the children. She even saved them money, buying groceries cheaply at the market from vendors she knew.

At three oclock, shed gone to fetch Lily. The little girl had bounded over, chattering away.

Gran, a lady from social services came to our nursery today! shed said on the walk home. She asked about all of ushow we live, who looks after us.

Oh? Margaret had said, surprised. What did you tell her?

I said youre the best gran in the world! Lily had squeezed her hand. That you feed us, read us stories, and when Mummy and Daddy shout, you always make me feel better.

Margarets stomach had tightened. Robert and Emily *had* been arguing more latelymostly about money. The mortgage, loans, childcare costsit all weighed on them. Emily blamed Robert for not earning enough, though he worked twelve-hour shifts as a bus driver.

Lily, why bring me into it when your parents are talking? shed asked carefully.

Because you said Mummy was wrong when she shouted at Daddy yesterday! You said, Dont listen, love, Mummys just tiredDaddys a good man. And you said Daddy works hard and Mummy doesnt see it.

A chill had run through Margaret. She *had* comforted Lily after the rows, but had she really said those things? Was it so wrong to defend her son?

At home, theyd had lunch, Lily had napped, and Margaret had started dinner, wanting it ready before Oliver got home from school.

Emily had returned at five, eyes red, face grim. Margaret had assumed work had gone badly.

Emily, love, how was your day? Fancy a cuppa?

But Emily had walked straight past her, locked herself in the bedroom, and spoken in hushed, urgent tones on the phone.

Robert had come home at eight, exhausted. Hed eaten quietly and gone straight to bed. Emily hadnt joined them, saying she wasnt hungry.

Mum, whats up with Emily? Robert had whispered in the kitchen. Shes been off all evening.

No idea, love. Work trouble, maybe.

The next morning, the air was thick with tension. Emily moved in silence, avoiding Margarets eyes. Robert stayed quiet too, sensing trouble.

Mum, whats social services? Oliver had asked over breakfast.

Margaret nearly choked on her tea.

Whered you hear that?

Last night. Mum said they could take us away if things at home arent good. Dad said thats rubbish.

Emily had stood abruptly.

Oliver, get ready for school. Lily, go get dressed.

The children had obeyed. Emily had watched them leave, then turned to Margaret.

We need to talk.

Robert had glanced between them. Whats going on?

Go to work, Emily had snapped. Youll be late.

Hed hesitated, kissed her cheek, and left. The children had rushed out soon after. Then it was just the two of them.

Sit down, Margaret, Emily had said coldly.

Margaret had obeyed, heart pounding.

Yesterday, my manager called me in. Know why?

Margaret had shaken her head.

Someone reported us to social services. Anonymous. Said theres concern about our homethat we argue, that the children are left to you, that were not raising them properly.

Good Lord, who would do that?

Thats what Im wondering, Emily had said, staring hard. Who knows our private business? Who hears our rows? Whod tell outsiders about them?

Emily, you cant think it was *me*

Who else? Emily had exploded. Who else knows everything?

But why would I? Theyre my family!

I dont know! Maybe you want us divorced. Maybe you think Robert deserves better.

Thats not true! I love you like a daughter!

Emily had laughed bitterly.

Love me? Then why tell the kids *Daddys* good and *Im* wrong? Why say I dont see how hard he works?

I just didnt want Lily upset

Youre turning them against me! Emily had shouted. The social worker spoke to the nursery staff. They said Lily keeps repeating your wordsGran says Mummys wrong, Gran says Daddy struggles and Mummy doesnt care.

Margaret had gone pale. She *had* said those thingsbut never meaning harm.

I didnt realise I was just comforting her

And now whats in the report? Emily had raged. That the child discusses family fights with strangers. That her grandmother undermines us. That were not united in parenting.

Margarets legs had gone weak.

Lord, I only meant to help!

Exactly! Emily had clutched her head. You *meant* to help! And now well have social workers crawling over us, judging our home, questioning how we raise our kids!

Margaret had swayed.

What what if they find

Find what? Neglect? They could take the children. Or label us at risk. Do you know what thatd do to my career? I work in *finance*they do background checks!

Emily had paced, hands shaking.

I spent all yesterday convincing my boss its a mistake. This morning, I rang the nursery. The staff *have* noticed Lily quoting you. The head suggested family counselling.

Margaret had sunk onto a chair, head spinning.

Robert had returned thenhed forgotten his papers.

Whats going on?

Your mother reported us to social services! Emily had burst out.

*Mum*? Hed stared at her, horrified.

No, Robert, I swear! But Lily repeated things I said

Hed sat heavily, rubbing his forehead as Emily laid it all out. His face had darkened.

So what now?

Now? Emily had thrown up her hands. We wait for inspections. Prove were fit parents. And as for *her* Shed turned to Margaret. Margaret, I cant live with someone who crosses lines. Who drags kids into adult problems. Who risks their safety.

Emily, please, Ill stop

Its too late! What if were flagged? What if I lose my job?

Robert had looked between them.

Mum maybe you should stay elsewhere for a while? Till this blows over?

The words had struck like a knife. Her own sonthe boy shed raised alone after his father diedasking her to leave.

Robert, where would I go? I sold my flat when I moved here

Aunt Claras, maybe. Or well find you somewhere cheap.

On my pension? Its barely £200 a week!

Well manage, hed said weakly. This has to be fixed.

Emily had stood stiffly.

Either she goes, or I take the kids to my parents. And Ill file for divorce.

Emily, dont

Its not a threat. Its fact. I wont raise them in a home where good

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