“I dont have a spare room,” said my daughter when I arrived with my bags.
“Mum, did you pack everything? Did you remember your documents?” Emily nervously twisted the strap of her handbag, standing by the kitchen window.
“Do you think Ive lost my mind?” Margaret waved her off, checking the contents of her travel bag for the third time. “Passports here, money, medication… Oh, I forgot my dressing gown! Emily, wheres my blue one?”
“In the wardrobe. Mum, do you really need it? Im sure Sarah can lend you something.”
Margaret stopped, studying her daughter carefully.
“Emily, love, Im not going for just a day. Sarah invited me to stay, to get away from the city. The airs fresh there, the rivers close. You said yourself itd do me good.”
“I said it, I said it…” Emily turned back to the window. “I just didnt know then that Tom would lose his job again. Third time this year.”
Her mother stepped closer, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“You never said a word. What happened?”
“Whats there to say? New manager came in, wanted to shake things up. Tom was first on the chopping block. Experience didnt matterjust hiring young blood willing to work for pennies.”
Margaret shook her head, sinking onto a stool.
“I know its hard for you both. Maybe I should stay? Help somehow…”
“Dont, Mum. Go. Sarahs expecting you; everythings ready.” Emily turned, forcing a smile that didnt reach her eyes. “Youll rest, recharge.”
Margaret opened her mouth to speak, but the phone rang.
“Hello? Mum? Its Sarah! How are you? Still coming? Ive aired out the room, fresh sheets on the bed!”
“Im on my way, love. Emilys driving me to the station.”
“Brilliant! I was starting to worry. Mum, Ive missed you! Its gorgeous hereapple trees in bloom, the airs incredible. Youll feel the difference straight away after that city smog.”
“Im sure, Sarah. See you soon.”
Margaret hung up, glancing 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 passed in silence. Margaret tried to talk a few times, but Emily answered in monosyllables, lost in thought.
“Emily, maybe I *should* stay? I can tell youre struggling.”
“Mum, stop. Its fine. Toms been jobless before; hell find something.”
“But the bills? How will you manage?”
Emily braked sharply at a red light.
“Well manage. My salary covers us, and hell get unemployment. We wont starve.”
“The mortgage, though”
“Mum, *please*. Stay out of it. Were adults; well sort it.”
Margaret sighed, turning to the window. Unease settled in her chest. Emily had never been so sharp with her. Something was wrongsomething serious.
At the station, as she boarded the train, Emily suddenly pulled her into a tight hug.
“Sorry, Mum. Ive been awful. Nerves are shot.”
“I understand, love. Call me if you need me. Ill come straight back.”
“Have a proper rest. Say hi to Sarah for me.”
As the train pulled away, Margaret waved from the window. Emily stood on the platform until it vanished around the bend.
Sarah met her at the station with a bouquet of lavender and a beaming smile.
“Mum! Finally!” She squeezed her tight. “How was the trip? Tired?”
“Not too bad. You look radiant, Sarah! So tanned, so healthy.”
“Country air. Better than choking on city fumes. Come on, Ill show you the house! You havent seen it yet.”
The house was lovelycompact but cosy, with a sprawling garden and a view of the river. Sarah gave her a proud tour, pointing out the new furniture, the fresh paint.
“This is your room,” Sarah said, opening the door to a sunlit space with two windows. “See how pretty? Morning sun streams right in, and evenings, you can watch the river.”
“Its perfect, love. Wheres James?”
“Still at work. Hell be home tonightthrilled to see you. Keeps asking when youll bake your famous pies again.”
“Ill make him a batch, dont worry.” Margaret sat on the bed, taking it all in. “Its peaceful here. So quiet.”
“We love it. James has a good job now, I do bits of freelance. Were thinking of starting a family soon.”
“About time! Give me some grandchildren.”
Sarah sat beside her, squeezing her hand.
“Mum, hows Emily? She sounded down when I called.”
“Theyre in a rough patch. Tom lost his job again, moneys tight.”
“*Again*? Bloody hell. Hes a skilled worker!”
“Just bad luck, I suppose. Emilys taking it hard.”
Sarah chewed her lip. “Maybe they should move here? Plenty of work, cheaper housing. I could ask James to put feelers out.”
“I dont know, love. Theyre city folks. And the flatmortgage still unpaid.”
“Yeah, tricky…” Sarah stood. “Rest now. Ill start dinner. James wont be late.”
That evening, James was delighted to see her. They lingered on the patio over tea, chatting about nothing and everything. Margaret felt the weight of the past months lifting. Here, in this quiet corner with kind people, her soul could breathe.
A week passed. Margaret helped Sarah with chores, explored the village, read books. She called Emily daily, but the conversations were clipped, strained.
“How are you, love?”
“Fine, Mum. Toms interviewing. Might land something soon.”
“And you? Not overdoing it?”
“Exhausted, but coping.”
“Emily, should I come back? I can tell youre”
“Dont. Sarah went to so much trouble. Stay. Rest.”
But Margaret *worried*. Emilys voice grew thinner, wobbled. Last call, shed burst into tears, then brushed it off as work stress.
“Sarah, I think I should go home,” Margaret said over breakfast. “Emilys not right.”
“Mum, you just got here! Weve plansthe museum in town, picnics by the river”
“I know, love. But my guts screaming. Shes hurting.”
Sarah sighed, setting down her cup. “If youre sure, Ill drive you to the station.”
The journey home was agony. Margarets stomach churned. She tried Emilys phoneno answer.
She arrived at dusk. The buildings entrance seemed gloomier, the lift creakier. On the landing, she fumbled with her keys, but the door was latched from inside.
“Emily! Love, its me!” She knocked.
Silence. Then footsteps.
“Mum? Youre supposed to be at Sarahs”
“Open the door, darling.”
It swung open, revealing a gaunt Emily, eyes swollen.
“Emily! Whats happened?”
“Nothing. Just… worn out.”
Margaret stepped insideand froze. Suitcases in the hall, papers strewn on the table.
“Love, whats going on? Wheres Tom?”
Emily collapsed onto the sofa, face in her hands.
“Mum, I didnt know how to tell you. Didnt want to ruin your trip.”
“*Tell me what?*”
“Hes gone. For good. Said were dragging each other down. Moved in with a mate.”
Margaret sat beside her, pulling her close.
“Oh, my girl… I thought it was just the job.”
“That too. But it doesnt matter now.” Emily wiped her face. “Mum, Im selling the flat. Cant cover the mortgage alone. Buyers are lined up; we sign next week.”
“Where will you live?”
“Rent a room somewhere.”
Margaret absorbed this. Then: “Come stay with me.”
“Mum, your place is tiny. A studio. Where would I *sleep*?”
“Well manage. Sofa for now, then”
“No. I wont crowd you. And my commute would be a nightmare.”
“What about Sarahs? She offeredjobs there”
“I wont be a burden.”
They sat entwined for hours, talking, weeping, silent. Margaret knew words werent neededjust presence, warmth.
Next day, they sorted the flat sale. The buyers were decent, no haggling. Emily signed with visible relief.
“Feels lighter already,” she admitted as they left the solicitors. “Mortgage cleared, a bit left over. Enough to start fresh.”
“And then?”
“Ill figure it out. Maybe… maybe Sarahs. She rang yesterday, insisted.”
“Go, love. Clean air, good people. Works there.”
Emily stopped mid-step.
“Come with me?”
“Me? Why? My lifes herefriends, my doctor”
“But youll be *alone*.”
Margaret smiled. “Im used to it. Library shifts, my pensioner group… Ill visit often.”
On moving day, Margaret helped pack. Emily took only essentialsclothes, documents, a few treasured trinkets.
“Rest goes to charity,” she said, surveying the near-empty flat. “Fresh start, fresh things.”
“Wise choice.”
At the station, Emily broke down.
“Mum, Im sorry. For snapping, for hiding things. Ashamed it all fell apart.”
“Nonsense. Its *just begun*.” Margaret held her tight. “Go, dont fear. Sarahs thrilled, James will help. Ill visit soon.”
“Promise?”
“Cross my heart.”
The train left. Margaret waved until it disappeared. Walking home, the flat felt hushed, bittersweetbut not bleak. Shed done right: no smothering, no clinging.
A week later, Emily called, buoyant.
“Mum, guess what? I got a job! Local school needed a history teacher. The deputy took one look at my CV and hired me on the spot.”
“Brilliant! Housing?”
“With Sarah for now. She says no rush to move. Their place is huge.”
“Sarahs always had a big heart.”
“Yeah. And Mum? Im sleeping properly for the first time in years. This place… it *fits*.”
Margaret hung up, smiling. Emily would be alright. And she? Shed stay in her nest, content knowing both daughters had found their footing.
That evening, she wrote Sarah a letterthanking her for welcoming Emily, for kindness without questions. Sometimes the greatest help is silent presence.
Next morning, she rang a travel agent, browsing seaside cottages. At her age, new beginnings werent just for the young. Her girls had their paths. Now it was *her* turn.
*No spare rooms*, she thought. *No spare people in lifejust the right ones, at the right time.* And a parents wisdom is knowing when to hold onand when to let go.
