“I dont have a spare room,” my daughter said when I arrived with my bags.
“Mum, did you pack everything? Did you remember your documents?” Emily fiddled nervously with her purse strap, standing by the kitchen window.
“What, do you think Im completely senile?” Margaret waved her off, checking her travel bag for the third time. “Passports here, moneys here, my medicine… Oh, I forgot my dressing gown! Em, wheres my blue one?”
“In the wardrobe. Mum, do you really need it? Im sure Lucy has something you can borrow.”
Margaret paused, giving her daughter a long look.
“Emily, love, Im not just staying overnight. Lucy invited me for a proper visitto get away from the city. The airs fresh there, and the rivers close. You were the one who said itd do me good.”
“I did, I did…” Emily turned back to the window. “I just didnt know then that David would lose his job again. Third time this year.”
Her mother moved closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“You never told me. What happened?”
“Whats there to tell? New boss came in, wanted to refresh the team. David was first to go. Experience didnt mattertheyre hiring young people willing to work for pennies.”
Margaret shook her head and sat on the stool.
“Im so sorry, love. Maybe I should stay? Help out somehow…”
“Dont, Mum. Go. Lucys expecting youshes made all the arrangements.” Emily turned, forcing a smile that didnt reach her eyes. “Youll have a proper rest, recharge.”
Margaret opened her mouth to argue, but the phone rang.
“Hello? Mum? Its Lucy! Everything ready? Ive aired out your room, put fresh sheets on the bed!”
“Im on my way, darling. Emilys taking me to the station soon.”
“Brilliant! I was starting to worry. Oh, Mum, Ive missed you so much! You wont believe how lovely it is hereapple trees in bloom, the airs just incredible. Nothing like that city smog.”
“Alright, Lucy. See you soon.”
Margaret hung up and glanced at Emily.
“See how excited she is? Hasnt seen me in six months.”
“Yeah. Excited.” Emily grabbed the car keys. “Come on, Mum, youll miss your train.”
The drive was silent. Margaret tried a few times to talk, but Emily answered in monosyllables, her mind clearly elsewhere.
“Em, maybe I *should* stay. I can tell youre struggling.”
“Mum, stop. Well manage. Its not the first time Davids been out of workhell find something.”
“But what about money? How will you manage?”
Emily slammed the brakes at a red light.
“Well figure it out. Ive got my salary, and hell get benefits. We wont starve.”
“But the mortgage”
“Mum, *please*. Dont meddle. Were adults. Well sort it.”
Margaret sighed and looked out the window. Something was wrong. Emily had never been this sharp with her.
At the station, as she boarded the train, Emily suddenly hugged her tight.
“Sorry, Mum. Im just… stressed. Nerves are shot.”
“I understand, love. Call me if you need me. Ill come straight back.”
“Have a good rest. Say hi to Lucy for me.”
As the train pulled away, Margaret waved from the window. Emily stood on the platform until it disappeared.
Lucy met her at the station with a bouquet of lilacs and a beaming smile.
“Mum! Finally!” She squeezed her tight. “How was the trip? Not too tired?”
“Fine, love. Look at youso tanned and rosy-cheeked!”
“Country air. Nothing like choking on city fumes. Come on, lets get you home. You havent seen our new place yet!”
The house was lovelycozy, with a big garden overlooking the river. Lucy proudly showed off the new furniture, the fresh paint.
“Thisll be your room,” she said, opening the door to a sunlit space with two windows. “See? Morning sun, and in the evenings, you can watch the river.”
“Its perfect, darling. Wheres James?”
“Still at work. Hell be home tonightthrilled to see you. Always goes on about missing your pies.”
“Ill bake him some, dont worry.” Margaret sat on the bed, taking it all in. “Its so peaceful here.”
“We love it. James has a good job, I do bits of freelance. Were thinking of starting a family soon.”
“Wonderful! About time I had grandchildren.”
Lucy sat beside her, holding her hand.
“Mum… hows Emily? She sounded down last time we spoke.”
“Trouble with David. Lost his job again.”
“*Again?* But hes brilliant at what he does!”
“Just bad luck, I suppose. Emilys taking it hard.”
Lucy bit her lip. “What if they moved here? Plenty of work, cheaper houses. I could ask James to put feelers out.”
Margaret hesitated. “Theyre city people, love. And their flat… mortgage isnt paid off.”
“Right. Tricky…” Lucy stood. “Anyway, rest up. Ill start dinner. Jamesll be home soon.”
That evening, James was delighted to see her. They chatted for hours on the porch, tea in hand. Margaret felt the weight of the past months lifting. Here, surrounded by love, she could breathe.
A week passed. She helped Lucy with chores, explored the countryside, read. She called Emily daily, but the conversations were strained.
“How are you, love?”
“Fine. Davids got a few interviews lined up.”
“And you? Not overworking?”
“Exhausted. But Ill manage.”
“Em, maybe I should come back?”
“Dont, Mum. Lucys been looking forward to this.”
“But if you need help”
“Mum, *stop*. Were fine.”
Yet Margaret worried. Emilys voice grew thinner, and once, shed broken down before quickly brushing it off.
“Lucy, I think Ill head home,” she said over breakfast. “Somethings not right with Emily.”
“Mum, you just got here! I planned trips, the river”
“I know, love. But my gut says she needs me.”
Lucy sighed. “Alright. If youre sure, Jamesll drive you.”
On the train, Margarets unease grew. She tried callingno answer.
She reached home by evening. The lift creaked louder than usual. At the door, her key wouldnt turnthe latch was on.
“Em! Its me!” She knocked.
Silence. Then footsteps.
“Mum? Youre supposed to be at Lucys…”
“Open the door, love.”
Emily stood therepale, thinner, eyes red.
“Sweetheart, whats wrong?”
“Nothing. Just… tired.”
Inside, Margaret saw suitcases, papers on the table.
“Emily. Wheres David?”
Her daughter sank onto the sofa, covering her face.
“Mum, I didnt know how to tell you. Didnt want to ruin your trip.”
“Tell me *what*?”
“He left. For good. Said we were holding each other back. Moved in with a mate.”
Margaret held her tight.
“Oh, my girl… I thought it was just the job.”
“That too. Doesnt matter now.” Emily looked up. “Mum, Im selling the flat. Cant handle the mortgage alone. Buyers are lined upexchange next week.”
“Where will you live?”
“Rent a room somewhere.”
Margaret hesitated. “What about moving in with me?”
“Mum, your flats tiny. Where would I even sleep?”
“Well make it work. Sofa for now, then”
“No. I wont crowd you. And my jobs miles from yours.”
“What about Lucys? She said theres work”
“I wont be a burden.”
They sat in silence, holding each other. Margaret knew words wouldnt helpjust being there would.
The next day, they sorted the sale. The buyers were decent, not haggling. Emily signed, shoulders lighter.
“Feels like a weights lifted,” she admitted afterward. “Mortgage cleared, a bit left over. Enough to start fresh.”
“And then what?”
“Ill figure it out. Maybe… maybe Lucys. She called last night, offered again.”
“Go, love. Clean air, good people. Works there.”
Emily stopped walking.
“Will you come with me?”
“Me? Why? My flats here, my friends, my doctor…”
“But youll be lonely.”
Margaret smiled. “Ill manage. Library shifts, my pensioner groups… Ill visit often.”
On moving day, they packed only essentialsclothes, documents, a few keepsakes.
“Rest Ill sell or donate,” Emily said, eyeing the near-empty flat. “Fresh start, fresh things.”
At the station, Emily burst into tears.
“Mum, Im sorry. For snapping, for not telling you… I was ashamed it all fell apart.”
“Dont be silly. This isnt the endits the start.” Margaret hugged her hard. “Go, dont look back. Lucys thrilled, Jamesll help. Ill visit soon.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
As the train left, Margaret waved until it vanished. The flat felt too quiet that nightbut not hollow. Shed done the right thing: not smothering, not clinging.
A week later, Emily called, bright-voiced.
“Mum, guess what? Ive got a job! Local school needed a history teacher. The deputy took one look at my CV and hired me on the spot!”
“Brilliant! And housing?”
“With Lucy for now. She says theres no rushtheir place is huge.”
“Lucys always had a big heart.”
“Yeah. And Mum? Ive slept better here than in years. Maybe… maybe this *is* where I belong.”
Margaret hung up, smiling. Her girls would be alright. And her?
That evening, she wrote Lucy a letterthanking her for opening her home, for her kindness. Sometimes the greatest help is just being there, no questions asked.
The next day, she rang a travel agency, browsing seaside cottages. At her age, *she* could start anew too. The girls had their paths. Now it was her turn.
“I dont have a spare room,” her daughter had said. And she was right. There are no spare roomsjust the right places at the right times. A parents wisdom is knowing when to let go.
